Does Your Body Type Matter When It Comes to Training?

Have you ever wondered why some people can eat whatever they want without gaining weight, while others struggle to build muscle no matter how hard they work out? Genetics, muscle fiber type, insulin sensitivity, and training experience all play a part in how your body responds to food and exercise. Somatotyping, or identifying your body type, is a concept that has been around since the 1940s, with three main somatotypes – ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs. Ectomorphs are slim and struggle to gain muscle, while mesomorphs are naturally muscular and build muscle easily. Endomorphs tend to gain fat easily. However, somatotyping was originally meant to predict behavior based on appearance and has since become attached to exercise. Many people use their supposed somatotype as an excuse for their lack of progress, when in reality, hard work and consistency are key, regardless of body type. Additionally, most people are a mix of somatotypes, and having a particular body type does not guarantee success with a specific kind of training. While your body type can affect your rate of progress and your ultimate level of performance or development, it should not dictate your workouts or diet. Ultimately, your goals should determine your training, not your body type. Hard work and consistency always pay off, regardless of whether you are a meso, endo, or ectomorph.