How to train and diet according to your body type? Does it even matter which one you are? Find out.
Body type is a concept theorised by Dr. W.H. Sheldon in the 1940s. He created the field of somatotype in which categorises people into three different types.
- Endomorph – muscular, but that carries a lot of fat as well. The average powerlifter.
- Ectomorph – a lean person that has a hard time getting strong.
- Mesomorph – lean and muscular with potential to grow even more
So if you are searching online about what type of body you are, you will be presented with these three options and how to train and diet for each of them. How important is that?
Find out what Dr. Mike Israetel, PhD in Sport Physiology and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, thinks of it.
Does It Matter What Body Type Your Are?
According to Dr. Mike, body types are and always were bullshit. The three options mentioned above does not cover two types of people: someone who can gain weight, but not get strong, and someone who can put on muscle, stay lean, but your upper body is not great.
Source: UnsplashDr. Mike Israetel prefers to change to a different kind of categorisation of athletes with a combination of at least 6 body types, with most people being somewhere in between the spectrum.
- Bone structure – thin or thick bones
- Muscularity – more or less muscle
- Adiposity – more or less fat
He also talks about other variables that can influence what you are such as skeletal ratios, muscle growth and fat loss potential.
”the body type, ecto, endo, meso, is total BS.”
If you are searching online for how to eat or train according to your body type, stop it, says Dr. Mike Israetel. The best you can do is train hard, eat well and be consistent.
Read More: How to Build a Better Physique and Improve Performance