Body Types, Somatotypes, Endomorphs, Ectomorphs, Mesomorphs and Fitness Routines

Since I heard about the 3 different body types, I’ve wondered what they really mean and if we can all be divided up so easily. I went off to do some internet research. My first stop was wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatotype. I was surprised to learn that the body type descriptions were developed in the 40’s by an American psychologist name William Sheldon. He was actually using the body types to match personalities with types of bodies. It also turns out that William Sheldon was a thief, according to Wikipedia. It seems Sheldon’s theories have been discredited by modern scientists (again according to Wikipedia).

Given that Sheldon was discredited, I was surprised to see that the body type descriptions are still widely used by fitness advice sites. These sites give fitness information, usually body building, according to body type.

http://www.epigee.org/fitness/body_shape.html
http://bodybuildingpro.com/bodytypeinformation.html
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/topicoftheweek60.htm
http://www.gold1043.com.au/competition_xtras/gold/CraigsBodyTypes.pdf

Above is just a few of those sites.

Personally, I think Sheldon did bring up something very important about body type, dieting and exercise. Note, I don’t buy in to the connection between body type and personality. I really believe that fitness regimes have to be designed on an individual basis. I also believe that some people are naturally thinner, fatter or more muscular.

Because I’ve had to fight the insurance charts all my life, I know that not everyone fits within the normal range. I look at least 20 lbs lighter than most people who are my same height and weight. I build muscle very quickly. At the top of my weight range according to the standard charts, my muscles are well-defined and my hip bones protrude. Although just about every program stresses weight lifting, I do minimal amounts of weight lifting. I’m just not fond of great big muscles. Although I can’t control the definition of my muscles, I can make sure that I look like an lean and muscular athlete rather than a candidate for Ms. Universe.

Even though I’m not a body builder, I really appreciate that the body building websites take into account body type when designing a fitness routines. I wish more of the lifestyle change and dieting sites did the same thing. I resent the one size fits all fitness and dieting strategies.