Found this in one of my old hard drives. This article was probably taken from MSN Health website; I do not have the source.
There are many different body types around, and regrettably many are 'round'. But underneath all the padding and designer wear we can put each body into one of three categories. The 3 main body types:
Your basic body type is greatly outside of your control - more to do with DNA, and your childhood lifestyle than anything else. So if you are over 18 and reading this, you are what you are, although you can fine tune what you already have. If you are looking to change the shape of your body the basic groundwork is the same.
If you have reached this state of physical nemesis you may wish to be more specific in adapting your training in order to develop characteristics of the body type which you favour. Try adapting your training along these lines:
If you want to be Ectomorphic (long and thin):
If you want to be Mesomorphic (athletic and muscular):
If you want to be Endomorphic (rounded and stout):
Remember, you can only adapt what you already have and that miracles are not going to happen. But first find the body within by working out the body without.
There are many different body types around, and regrettably many are 'round'. But underneath all the padding and designer wear we can put each body into one of three categories. The 3 main body types:
- Ectomorphs - Thin and wispy.
- Mesomorphs - Athletic and muscular.
- Endomorphs - Generously rounded or 'stout'.
Your basic body type is greatly outside of your control - more to do with DNA, and your childhood lifestyle than anything else. So if you are over 18 and reading this, you are what you are, although you can fine tune what you already have. If you are looking to change the shape of your body the basic groundwork is the same.
- Eat fresh, low fat and healthy food at regular intervals.
- Avoid large amounts of toxins like alcohol and caffeine.
- Take regular exercise which should include elements of stamina (puffing), strength (grunting) and suppleness (bending).
If you have reached this state of physical nemesis you may wish to be more specific in adapting your training in order to develop characteristics of the body type which you favour. Try adapting your training along these lines:
If you want to be Ectomorphic (long and thin):
- Do more aerobic exercise, running, biking etc and make sure that you work at a steady state (70% Max Heart Rate). Avoid explosive activity.
- Use exercises that allow full range of movement - swimming, iso-kinetics or yoga and take more time to fully stretch each muscle.
- Concentrate on eating complex carbohydrates like pasta and potatoes and drink plenty of tepid water.
If you want to be Mesomorphic (athletic and muscular):
- Work on short bursts of explosive, dynamic and intense aerobic activity near to maximum effort - short sprints, jumping and punching.
- Do more weight-bearing exercise - pump iron. Use heavy weights, up to 90% of your maximum capability and complete at least three sets of each exercise with no more than 7 repetitions per set. Ideally isolate one muscle group at a time and work it until exhausted. You must have plenty of rest between each workout to allow the muscle to grow.
If you want to be Endomorphic (rounded and stout):
- Buy a video, some beer, order a takeaway and sit back and enjoy.
Remember, you can only adapt what you already have and that miracles are not going to happen. But first find the body within by working out the body without.
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