Ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph; what? These previous names are a classification of a person’s body type. This system is called soma-typing and it is based on predispositions to certain physical characteristics.
The three classifications this method is based on are what was stated at the beginning of this article, the ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Nature has predisposed us to certain traits that may be common in more than one of these classes.
As a result, a person may possibly classified as a ecto-meso or endo-meso.
- A true ectomorph is a small-framed individual who has a difficult time gaining muscle. This person tends to have a naturally low level of body fat. We often refer to an ectomorph as someone who has a “fast metabolism.”
- Mesomorphs are sometimes described as having an “athletic physique” and are naturally endowed with appreciable muscle and a relatively low amount of body-fat.
They tend to increase muscle more easily than an ectomorph and have less of a struggle losing body fat than the heavier-set endomorph.
- Endomorphs are often called “the people with slow metabolisms.” They tend to have an easier time gaining body fat and a harder time losing it, but typically carry more muscle mass.
Classifying a person under one of these categories requires careful consideration. The characteristics are the result of genetics not brought about by behavioral patterns. One does not become an endomorph because of overindulgence in high-calorie foods and a lack of physical activity.
Overeating and under-exercising are lifestyle choices, not natural selection. Conversely, the person who battled their weight all their life doesn’t become an ectomorph by dieting and exercising diligently to maintain a lean physique.
The term “metabolism” is thrown about with little consideration to its meaning. Every chemical action or reac¬tion in your body makes up your metabolism. When we discuss fast or slow metabolism, we are usually discussing energy metabolism.
This describes the processes in which our body specifically takes calories and turns them into energy to breathe, maintain proper temperature, go to the gym or work around the house.
A calorie is how we measure the energy value of food and physical activity. A calorie is the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 liter of water at 15 degrees Celsius by one degree. Simply stated, a calorie is a measure of thermic energy.
To produce energy, your body uses the calories you ingest from food or beverages. If our intake exceeds the demand for energy, those calories are stored as fat.
Approximately 65% of our caloric expenditure each day goes towards our life support. We call this basal metabolic rate, or BMR. This takes into account your heart beating, lungs functioning, maintaining normal temperature, regulation of certain processes, etc.
The remaining calories arc burned through activity and the thermic effect of food. This is the number of calories your body uses for digestion and accounts for roughly 10% of your daily expenditure.
Physical activity is something we can control. We make the choice each day to use the stairs rather than take the elevator, go to the gym over watching TV or do yard work instead of taking a nap.
Regardless of what nature has predisposed us to, we can improve our body composition through proper diet and exercise. Many people feel they are prisoners of their genes and resign themselves to going through life unhappy with their bodies. Giving up is not a solution.
Understanding your soma-type and how you arrived at your present physical condition is half the battle; the rest is just hard work and patience. Examine your lifestyle and eating habits. Are they conducive to your goal?
If you stay out all night and don’t eat enough calories, you can’t expect to gain muscle. Skipping workouts and poor food choices are counter productive to fat loss, so don’t blame nature if this is behind the failure to get lean. Genetic predisposition is merely a starting point.
Where you finish is entirely up to your willingness to make the most of what you have, which is also true in life!
The three classifications this method is based on are what was stated at the beginning of this article, the ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Nature has predisposed us to certain traits that may be common in more than one of these classes.
As a result, a person may possibly classified as a ecto-meso or endo-meso.
- A true ectomorph is a small-framed individual who has a difficult time gaining muscle. This person tends to have a naturally low level of body fat. We often refer to an ectomorph as someone who has a “fast metabolism.”
- Mesomorphs are sometimes described as having an “athletic physique” and are naturally endowed with appreciable muscle and a relatively low amount of body-fat.
They tend to increase muscle more easily than an ectomorph and have less of a struggle losing body fat than the heavier-set endomorph.
- Endomorphs are often called “the people with slow metabolisms.” They tend to have an easier time gaining body fat and a harder time losing it, but typically carry more muscle mass.
Classifying a person under one of these categories requires careful consideration. The characteristics are the result of genetics not brought about by behavioral patterns. One does not become an endomorph because of overindulgence in high-calorie foods and a lack of physical activity.
Overeating and under-exercising are lifestyle choices, not natural selection. Conversely, the person who battled their weight all their life doesn’t become an ectomorph by dieting and exercising diligently to maintain a lean physique.
The term “metabolism” is thrown about with little consideration to its meaning. Every chemical action or reac¬tion in your body makes up your metabolism. When we discuss fast or slow metabolism, we are usually discussing energy metabolism.
This describes the processes in which our body specifically takes calories and turns them into energy to breathe, maintain proper temperature, go to the gym or work around the house.
A calorie is how we measure the energy value of food and physical activity. A calorie is the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 liter of water at 15 degrees Celsius by one degree. Simply stated, a calorie is a measure of thermic energy.
To produce energy, your body uses the calories you ingest from food or beverages. If our intake exceeds the demand for energy, those calories are stored as fat.
Approximately 65% of our caloric expenditure each day goes towards our life support. We call this basal metabolic rate, or BMR. This takes into account your heart beating, lungs functioning, maintaining normal temperature, regulation of certain processes, etc.
The remaining calories arc burned through activity and the thermic effect of food. This is the number of calories your body uses for digestion and accounts for roughly 10% of your daily expenditure.
Physical activity is something we can control. We make the choice each day to use the stairs rather than take the elevator, go to the gym over watching TV or do yard work instead of taking a nap.
Regardless of what nature has predisposed us to, we can improve our body composition through proper diet and exercise. Many people feel they are prisoners of their genes and resign themselves to going through life unhappy with their bodies. Giving up is not a solution.
Understanding your soma-type and how you arrived at your present physical condition is half the battle; the rest is just hard work and patience. Examine your lifestyle and eating habits. Are they conducive to your goal?
If you stay out all night and don’t eat enough calories, you can’t expect to gain muscle. Skipping workouts and poor food choices are counter productive to fat loss, so don’t blame nature if this is behind the failure to get lean. Genetic predisposition is merely a starting point.
Where you finish is entirely up to your willingness to make the most of what you have, which is also true in life!
