Warm-Up
SB warm-up #2
3x 6-10 (depending on load) reps of:
Bear hug squats
Walking knee hugs
Deadlifts
Dynamic walk
Ground to shoulder
Toy soldiers
WOD
Buy-in:
3 rounds of:
100m bear hug SB carry
20 SB deadlifts
*3 minute rest period
Game:
3 rounds of:
20 SB bear hug step-ups
10 SB shoulder to OH
*3 minute rest period
Cash-out:
3 rounds of:
100m SB run
10 G2OH
Bonus
???
The first question you need to answer is, “Which body am I?”.
Also one needs to understand that you can be a hybrid or in-between two body types.
Humans are clearly not all the same. We like different things, foods, styles, etc. Therefore, in terms of our health, fitness, and physique we should not and can not train the same. In addition, definitely can not eat the same either.
The results will not be the same.
Here is where hiring a certified & experienced professional will guide you toward working smarter and not harder.
Your body type and genetic potential should be pointed out and realistic goals should be set for you.
If you are still confused or need clarification, then you should consider hiring a certified, educated, and experienced nutrition coach. Like Coach Ray Traitz 👍🏽.
Lucky for you AMRAP Fitness can help you with your nutrition needs remotely. We have been helping people all over the planet.
What do you have to lose?
⭐️ Lucky for you AMRAP Fitness provides nutrition, supplementing, & training advice ⭐️
➡️ CONTACT US FOR DETAILS ⬅️
Do you have trouble losing body fat, yet seem to gain it after even the smallest slip up with your diet? Or does it feel like you can eat for days without gaining an ounce? It could have something to do with your current body type. But is it really that simple?
Let's explore them more in-depth and analyze how they relate to overall body composition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
You can also find more information about this topic (and many others like it) within our online nutrition classes.
WHAT IS BODY TYPE?
Body type, or somatotype, refers to the idea that there are three generalized body compositions that people are predetermined to have. The concept was theorized by Dr. W.H. Sheldon back in the early 1940s, naming the three somatotypes endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph.
It was originally believed that a person’s somatotype was unchangeable and that certain physiological and psychological characteristics were even determined by whichever one a person aligns to.
According to Sheldon, endomorphs have bodies that are always rounded and soft, mesomorphs are always square and muscular, and ectomorphs are always thin and fine-boned.
He theorized that these body types directly influenced a person’s personality, and the names were chosen because he believed the predominate traits of each somatotype were set in stone, derived from pre-birth preferential development of either the endodermal, mesodermal, or ectodermal embryonic layers.
SOMATOTYPE THEORY, DEBUNKED
Let’s take a deeper look at how he classified each one:
ENDOMORPH
Relative predominance of soft roundness throughout various regions of the body.
Digestive viscera are the more massive and relatively dominant bodily economy.
Have a more relaxed, comfortable, and extroverted personality.
MESOMORPH
Relative predominance of muscle, bone, and connective tissue that dominates the bodily economy.
Heavy, hard, and rectangular in outline.
Have a more active, dynamic, assertive, and aggressive personality.
ECTOMORPH
Relative predominance of linearity and fragility
Greatest skin surface area relative to body mass causes greater sensory exposure
Have a more introverted, thoughtful, inhibited, and sensitive personality.
Some notions of Sheldon’s theory have held up over time, providing the foundation for more accepted applications of somatotype, but much of it has not.
The theory that personality is determined by body composition has been wholly abandoned by the psychological community. Additionally, we know that no one is hopelessly predetermined to either be fat, muscular, or thin as a lifelong consequence of prenatal development.
What makes our bodies what they are is an absolutely vast array of environmental and social influences, genetic variations, geographic locations, and personal decisions across the entire lifespan.
THE BODY TYPE SPECTRUM
So then why are we even discussing this topic? Because while the notion of a predetermined body composition looks far-fetched through a 21st-century lens, many of the physiological markers and observations associated with each somatotype do actually exist in the greater population.
However, the modern understanding is flipped from Sheldon’s original concept; it’s our physiological characteristics that determine the current somatotype, not the somatotype that determines our collective physiologies.
No one exists within purely one somatotype; instead, we are all constantly in flux and fall uniquely on a spectrum somewhere between all three.
YOUR BODY TYPE IS NOT A LIFE SENTENCE
As they are understood and accepted today, body types reflect a generalized picture of how a person’s physiology is functioning in their current state. The observable somatotype represents the current sum of their physical, dietary, and lifestyle choices up to that point in time, combined with a variety of uncontrollable factors influenced by both genetics and the surrounding environment.
For example, at one extreme end of the spectrum, a person who has easy access to high-quality food, makes habitually healthy diet choices, is free of chronic disease, and consistently trains at progressively higher intensities will always have a more functional, muscular, and leaner body composition. On the flip side, someone who always sits all day and eats a lot of excess calories from junk food will undoubtedly develop the “soft roundness” stated in Sheldon’s original classification of endomorphs.
But remember, a body type is not a life sentence. If it were, personal trainers, health coaches, and nutrition coaches would all be out of jobs. The fitness industry, at its core, is all about helping people learn to use tools they can control (i.e., improved lifestyle, diet, and exercise techniques) to overcome challenges presented by genetic and environmental factors that they otherwise have no agency over.
Body type will shift based on lifestyle, activity, and diet modifications.
Someone on the DASH diet will have a different composition than someone who doesn't have a diet preference.
This notion is made clear when looking at the average physiques of elite athletes in different sports, where consistent training and diet standards lead to similar average body compositions grouped across the somatotype spectrum.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BODY COMPOSITION
Research continues to prove that physical training and consistent, habitual changes to the diet have a strong influence on improving body composition. Metabolic conditions such as hyper- or hypothyroidism are fully within the realm of modern medicine to manage and improve, and chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes are manageable and can even be remedied in many cases through improvements to diet and exercise routines. Simply type “[exercise/diet] impact on body composition” into your favorite search engine and quickly become overwhelmed with the breadth of research spanning the last century.
The human body is highly adaptable and always seeks homeostasis (i.e., equilibrium) within its environment. But it can take a while to break old patterns that the body has gotten used to. This fact – that change takes time and consistency – is more than likely what leads many people to resign to the notion that they are stuck in a somatotype; because change is hard, and it’s often far easier and convenient to chalk one’s body dissatisfaction up to forces beyond direct control. But this is also where Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches have the most opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with clients.
Muscle is healthily gained at around one pound per month, and fat is healthily lost at around one pound per week. After a desirable body composition has been attained through lifestyle modification, physical training, and healthy changes to diet – and, more importantly, when those new habits are adopted and maintained permanently – the new body that is symptomatic of all those changes will eventually become the “new normal.”
Metabolisms and appetites adjust to new energy intakes, physical activity becomes a natural part of the day instead of a chore, and someone who was predominately ectomorphic or endomorphic will eventually see themselves displaying far more mesomorphic traits over time.
HOW TO IDENTIFY BODY TYPE
In light of all this, understanding a client’s current state body type is quite beneficial for fitness professionals. A simple observation of body composition can help quickly identify various physiological situations a client might be dealing with and allow you to tailor solutions that will preferentially address each one. Use the following somatotype traits to determine which one a person primarily aligns to:
ENDOMORPHIC
Stockier bone structures with larger midsection and hips.
Carries more fat throughout the body.
Gains fat fast and lose it slow.
Naturally slow metabolism; potentially due to chronic conditions (e.g., thyroid deficiency, diabetes) but too frequently the result of a sedentary lifestyle and chronically positive daily energy balance.
MESOMORPHIC
Medium bone structure with shoulders wider than the hips.
Developed athletic musculature.
Efficient metabolism; mass gain and loss both happen with relative ease.
ECTOMORPHIC
More narrow shoulders and hips in respect to height.
Relatively smaller muscles in respect to bone length.
Naturally, fast metabolism makes it difficult for many to gain mass.
Potentially indicative of disordered eating (e.g., anorexia, bulimia) when BMI is ≤17.
Once you identify which somatotype a client most aligns to, consider the structural and metabolic challenges that are associated with it. Then, tailor the exercise programming and dietary coaching to overcome those hurdles. This will preferentially develop the necessary foundation that each client individually requires.
For the typical new client, the initial, overarching goal to “get in shape” will essentially boil down to a desire to shift their current-state body type toward more mesomorphic physiology.
Obviously, there will be exceptions to this rule – there will always be endomorphs who want to get even bigger to compete in strongman events and ectomorphs who want to keep thin and trim for running ultramarathons – but it rings true for the majority of clients seeking the help of a Certified Personal Trainer or Nutrition Coach.
In light of that average goal, for example, a client who presents predominately as an ectomorph will most likely need dietary and training solutions that focus on muscle protein synthesis and overall mass gain, while typical endomorphic clients will benefit far more from frequent metabolic training and reduced-calorie intakes. So, take a look at each individual, critically evaluate whether you are using the right methods for the body type they currently display and use the following tips to better tailor your programs for maximal success.
HOW TO TRAIN ENDOMORPHS
Training endomorphs should predominantly focus on fat loss techniques until a desirable body composition and functional cardiorespiratory efficiency have been achieved. Resistance training should be used to strengthen muscles and stabilize joints to support more efficient movement elsewhere in life, but this population tends to need cardiorespiratory improvement and fat loss above all.
In the gym, work through OPT Phase 1 and Phase 2, but keep the majority of training sessions focused on metabolic conditioning. Use short rest periods, circuits for resistance exercises, lots of plyometrics (within client tolerance), and use as much additional time as possible for steady-state cardio.
Consistent anaerobic and aerobic training will help endomorphic bodies increase their metabolic efficiency and boost the body’s daily energy requirement. Additionally, recommend that primarily-endomorphic clients increase their non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) factor as much as possible, moving more during times of the day when they’re not in the gym. Commitment to a less sedentary lifestyle overall is the most important thing for this population to begin overcoming their metabolic challenges.
Due to those slower metabolisms (regardless of the underlying cause) and a surplus of stored energy (body fat), nutritional solutions for primarily endomorphic individuals should focus on techniques to maximize fat loss while still supporting, and even building, the existing lean muscle mass. To accomplish this, a diet that is both low-calorie and high in protein is ideal. Diets containing daily protein of as much as 2.2 grams per kilogram body weight (and sometimes even higher) have been shown safe and effective for supporting existing muscle tissue during times of calorie restriction and weight loss.
After ensuring that daily protein requirements have been met, the remaining pool of calories can come from whatever blend of carbs and fats the individual best tolerates. Some may tolerate a very low-carb “ketogenic” diet that helps them preferentially burn even more fat throughout the day, while others will experience hypoglycemia and its associated nauseating symptoms without enough carbohydrates in their diet.
This rings especially true during workouts, where carbs are important to fuel the higher intensities needed for cardiorespiratory improvement. But regardless of whether carbs or fats are the preferred source of energy, the most important thing is to determine the client’s total daily calorie requirement and keep food intake a bit lower (with still-ample protein) so that the body remains in a negative energy balance with as little muscle catabolism as possible.
TLDR:
Maximize calorie burn and the improvement of metabolic efficiency by primarily using high-intensity, metabolic training techniques.
Consume a high-protein diet with balanced carbs and fats that maintains a slightly negative energy balance.
If you are an Ectomorph and want to gain muscle, check your nutrition. Here are some great recipes for gaining muscle to help you hit your goals.
HOW TO TRAIN ECTOMORPHS
Ectomorphs face the opposite set of challenges as primarily endomorphic individuals. Due to the numerous factors previously mentioned, most ectomorphic clients have developed bodies with highly active metabolisms and “lanky” bone structures, making it hard for them to put on mass and keep it on. For this reason, exercise techniques for hypertrophy and maximal strength should be prioritized, with a greatly reduced focus on cardiorespiratory training to reduce overall energy utilization.
After working through the initial level of the OPT model, Phases 3 and 4 will be of most benefit to average clients in this population. Hypertrophy and maximal strength resistance training are primarily anaerobic in nature and, when combined with longer rest periods, won’t stimulate elevated calorie burn at the moment like more intense, fast-paced exercise programs will. When paired with a consistently positive energy balance, this type of lifting will preferentially help ectomorphs build up their body mass.
To accompany the mass gain-focused resistance training, ectomorphic bodies should eat a mass gain-focused diet. These individuals tend to burn through energy sources faster than most, so ample calories will be needed. Low-carb, fat-loss-focused diets are not recommended here, and in some cases, it may be prudent to recommend that ectomorphic clients even incorporate “mass gainer” nutritional shakes into their diets.
And just like with endomorphic bodies that are working to become more mesomorphic, ectomorphs need high levels of protein too. 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram bodyweight of daily protein has been shown to be optimal for muscle growth, with some individuals requiring up to 2.2.
That protein should then be spaced out every three hours so that muscle protein synthesis (MPS) signals (from the amino acid leucine) are maximized all day long. An additional protein shake at night, right before bed to minimize the fasting window, can also be beneficial for maximizing MPS in individuals with difficulty gaining weight.
TLDR:
Maximize muscle gain using lower-intensity hypertrophy and maximal strength resistance training with longer rest periods.
Consume a high-protein diet with balanced carbs and fats that maintains a positive energy balance.
HOW TO TRAIN MESOMORPHS
There’s no avoiding the fact that mesomorphs have things a bit easier than others. Their metabolisms are relatively efficient, they carry functional – if not athletic – muscle mass and are essentially ready to take on whatever fitness goal they please with minimal foundational work.
But remember, while there are undoubtedly some people who look lean and fit with zero effort, they are the exception to the rule. Most individuals who present a more mesomorphic body composition have developed it as a consequence of numerous factors over their entire lifetime. And for formally endo- or ectomorphic individuals who have improved their lifestyles, diets, and fitness, hard work and discipline are the biggest factors of all.
A mesomorphic body type indicates a client is ready to transition to more advanced forms of power (like SAQ training), athletic, and sport-specific training. Comparatively, diets for mesomorphic bodies should be tailored specifically to health and fitness goals. Protein should be consumed anywhere between 1.2 and 2.2 grams per kilogram bodyweight depending on the intensity of the exercise program, with remaining calories coming from a blend of healthy carbs and fats. Then, if changes in body composition are still desired, the daily calorie load can either be increased or decreased to gain or lose weight, respectively.
TLDR:
Utilize OPT Phases directly aligned to client goals.
Eat specifically for fitness goals and activity, increasing or decreasing daily calories to preferentially control body composition with positive, neutral, or negative energy balances.
Increase protein intakes to as high as 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight for muscle gain goals; or, keep closer to the 0.8 gram per kilogram of body weight FDA recommended dietary allowance (RDA) when healthy body composition maintenance is all that is desired.
REFERENCES
Bernard, TJ. (2003). Biography of William Sheldon, American psychologist. Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed online at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Sheldon
Carter, J.E.L. & Heath, B.H. (1990). Somatotyping – development and applications. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-35117-0
Carter, J.E.L. (2002). The Heath-Carter Anthropometric Somatotype, Instruction Manual. Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University. Accessed online at: http://www.somatotype.org/Heath-CarterManual.pdf
Clark, M.A., Lucett, S.C., McGill, E., Montel, I., & Sutton, B. (2018). NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training, 6th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN 978-1-284-16008-6
National Academy of Sports Medicine. (2019). Certified Nutrition Coach. Online education program, accessed at www.nasm.org
Toth, T., Michalikova, M., Bednarcikova, L., Zivacak, J., & Kneppo, P. (2014). Somatotypes in Sport. Acta Mechanica et Automatica, 8(1). DOI 10.2478/ama-2014-0005
THE AUTHOR
ANDREW PAYNE
Andrew is a human wellness and fitness expert specialized in developing online education solutions for the modern adult learner. He began his fitness career in the U.S. Army, serving as his company’s physical training program manager. This passion for fitness led Andrew to get certified as an NASM-CPT and go on to earn a MS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania. With additional specializations in corrective exercise, athletic performance enhancement, nutrition, and behavior change coaching, he works as part of the Ascend Learning Global Fitness & Wellness Product Development team, helping create fitness education and certification products for the NASM, AFAA, and Premier Global family of fitness brands. Andrew also privately trains his own clients and currently holds a seat on the Ascend Learning Global Wellness & Fitness company wellness committee.
➡️ AMRAP fitness offers nutrition coaching from a certified experienced professional. Contact us for details. ⬅️
Warm up
Band warm up #2
3 x 10 reps
Seated band rows
Banded lunge with rotation (R/L)
Banded thrusters
Dynamic walk
Bicycles
Banded diagonal wood chops (anchor to one foot and rotate up and away)
Walking lunge with Sampson
Partner WOD
10 rounds of:
(Tag the following)
8 DB snatches
20 DU/ 45 single unders/ 25 jumping jacks
8 V- ups