Mesomorphs have athletic, muscular bodies, which can make them ideal bodybuilders. Unlike ectomorphs, who struggle to gain weight, and endomorphs, who struggle to lose it, mesomorphs gain and lose weight relatively easily. Mesomorphs often require a balanced diet with smaller, more frequent meals. Check with your health-care practitioner to determine your proper diet, regardless of your body type.
Body Types
In the 1940s, psychologist William Sheldon classified three body or somatotypes -- ectomorphs, endomorphs and mesomorphs. Each type has distinct physical and personal traits. Ectomorphs are lean and introverted, while endomorphs tend to be round and social. Mesomorphs represent the middle group comprised of well-built, active people.
Features
Male mesomorphs have rectangular bodies, while females have an hourglass shape. Other key attributes include thicker skin, good posture and a solid frame. Due to their overall musculature and lower body fat, mesomorphs make excellent bodybuilders. To imagine the typical mesomorph physique, consider Arnold Schwarzenegger during his professional bodybuilding career.
Diet/Nutrition
Experts recommend that mesomorphs eat five to seven meals daily. Adequate protein consumption is essential, especially for more active people. Mesomorphs should consume 1.5g of protein per pound of body weight. They should also eat a higher proportion of carbohydrates to protein, says Ultimate Nutrition's Dr. Peter Fong.
Exercise
Mesomorphs should emphasize weight training over cardiovascular workouts. According to Bodybuilding.com, they should use moderate to heavy weights and be careful not to train too much. If you enjoy swimming, running or other cardiovascular workouts, limit these activities to three days a week at well under an hour each.
Considerations
Mesomorphs' fat is dispersed evenly throughout their bodies, so they can look overweight if they consume too much food or become inactive. Mesomorphs' metabolism typically falls somewhere between that of ectomorphs and endomorphs, so they have greater flexibility with their diet. Discuss your health needs with your physician, registered dietitian or personal trainer to create an optimal diet or exercise plan.
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