Exercise & Diet For Your Body Type
Let's face it - there is no "magic" exercise routine that provides wonderful results to every person who
tries it...just like there is no "magic" diet and no "magic" weight loss pill. Humans are like snowflakes, and
our biological diversity needs to be taken into account when planning a fitness or nutrition routine. At the
same time, much confusion and frustration can be eliminated due to the fact that most individuals fit very
nicely into three different categories. In anatomy terms, these three categories are called "ectomorph",
"mesomorph", and "endomorph". As you read through this article, see if you can place yourself into one
particular category. Like any classification scheme, you may not fit perfectly, but you will find that you
match up with one category more than the other two, and this information will be especially helpful in
forming a plan to achieve your health goals.
Ectomorph: You're skinny. You have been for most of your life, or as long as you can remember. For the
most part, you can eat whatever you want and not gain too much weight, although you might sacrifice
tone if you don't watch your diet. You are told by most that you have a "high" metabolism, and you love
long and slow cardiovascular exercise. Weightlifting is hard for you, and never seemed to make you very
muscular. At the same time, when you look in the mirror, you would like to see a more toned body, with
tighter curves and a more fit appearance.
Fitness Recommendations: Lung capacity and endurance is easy to maintain, so your body isn't getting
optimal benefit from long and slow cardio. You would benefit more from fast and explosive cardio interval
training, much like a sprinter. Your body can actually be trained to increase the number of fast-twitch,
muscular, sprint-type fibers, so in the weightroom, choose exercises that are multi-joint and allow you to
use a heavy weight, such as benchpress, squat, and deadlift. Attempt to reach muscular fatigue within 6-
10 repetitions. Yo