Body Types

When considering an exercise program, or beginning a weight loss journey, it is important to know your body shape. Not only will it give you a better picture of your body's potential but it will show you which areas to focus on. Thinner body types will have to work much harder to gain muscle, while some body types will have to be careful to not gain too much muscle bulk. Determining where you gain weight the quickest can focus your efforts and encourage you along the way as you see the important inches drop off.

In general people can be divided into three groups; ectomorphs, mesomorphs and endomorphs. The diagram below depicts a male figure, but these classifications can be used for males and females.

Ectomorphs tend to be very thin naturally, with very little shape and muscle to their bodies - linear. They could be described as light boned or 'delicate' in the extreme case. Their limbs tend to seem longer and their shoulders tend to point downwards.

Mesomorphs are the athletic build. Medium boned and athletic looking naturally - they still have low fat levels but display an increased muscle mass. Shoulders are broader with a narrower waist.

Endomorphs are characterized by increased fat storage, especially around the midsection. They have a rounder face, trunk and thighs. They are set apart by a larger bone structure.

Important to note with these body types is that both muscle mass and fat storage can be altered, but bone structure cannot. These classifications are distinct for the simple reason that they are different. Was that redundant?

Furthermore, the female body type can be broken down into further categories depending on fat deposition; 'banana', 'apple', 'pear' and 'hourglass' (though these names can vary).

A banana shape is apparent when the waist is different from the hips and bust by less than 9 inches (though measurements can vary). Fat is deposited in the abdomen, buttocks, chest, and face first.

The apple shapes have a broad upper body, especially the shoulders, in comparison to their waist and legs. Fat is deposited mainly in the abdomen, chest, and face.

Pear shaped women have a larger hip measurement than bust measurement. Fat is deposited on the buttocks, hips and thighs first - then waist and upper abdomen.

An hourglass figure is one where the hips and waist have a similar measurement, with a thin waist. Fat deposition occurs on both the upper and lower body simultaneously, with the waist and abdomen last.

Although the majority of women will fit into one of these four categories, not everyone will. These are meant to be guidelines only - to help you better understand your body, do not be concerned if you have characteristics of more than one.