Body types can be split into three categories: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Your body type is indicative of your genetics and how your body reacts to certain foods and exercise. Understanding what body type you are can help you live a healthy lifestyle and develop a diet and fitness program that best suits your needs. Speak to your doctor before beginning any type of diet and exercise regimen.
Mesomorphs
Mesomorphs are typically seen as the ideal body type, with a natural ability to build muscle and stay fit. As a mesomorph, your athletic ability is generally more advanced than that of an ecto- or endomorphs, as the body's tolerance for strength training is higher. A mesomorph's typical traits, besides athleticism, include a relatively hard body with defined muscles, a rectangular body shape, strength, and an ease in muscle gain. The bone structure in mesomorphs is large, which can support a considerable increase in muscle mass. Mesomorphs gain fat more easily than ectomorphs but are not predisposed to overweight.
Endomorphs
Endomorphs are generally seen as the more unfortunate body types in that they are predisposed to gaining weight easily. An endomorphic body takes on fat quickly with an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise. Generally, endomorphs are relatively short with stocky arms and legs, which makes for a round physique. As an endomorph, your metabolism tends to be slow and your muscles are soft. Monitoring caloric intake is especially important for endomorphs when aiming to manage or lose weight.
Combinations
Mesomorphic and endomorphic body type combinations are not uncommon. In such instances, a body can display characteristics of both body types. Mesomorphic bodies may have the ability to easily build muscle and stay athletically fit, while also having the ability to gain weight. If you are a combination of a meso- and endomorph, you have an advantage over an ectomorph in that you can train harder and longer to get faster results in changing your physique. But be aware of what you eat. Just because you train often and hard doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want. Your predisposition for weight gain puts you at a disadvantage to ectomorphs.
Exercise
The approach to optimizing exercise differs for meso- and endomorphs. Mesomorphs should train with moderate to heavy weights at a fairly moderate pace, with limited rest between sets and exercises. Incorporating cardiovascular exercise into a mesomorph's routine is important, but it shouldn't be overdone. Endomorphs should train with moderate weight at a fast pace, with little or no rest between sets and exercises -- think circuit training. Cardiovascular exercising should be a major part of an endomorph's routine to burn as many calories as possible in an effort to manage weight.
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