What are the different body types? How do they affect your fitness and nutrition? Discover the secrets to understanding your unique body and achieving your goals.

The Science of Body Types

The concept of human body types has a long and fascinating history, dating back over 3,000 years to the advent of Ayurvedic medicine in India. In this ancient practice, there were three distinct body types known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each associated with specific physical and emotional characteristics. The underlying principle was that understanding your body type could help you optimize your health and lifestyle.

Fast forward to the 1940s, and American doctor W.H. Sheldon brought the concept of somatotypes (body types) into modern science. Sheldon studied how anthropomorphic features affected people’s physical and psychological states. While the role of body types in psychology is controversial, there’s no denying that genetic variation plays a crucial role in how people look and respond to physical exercise.

The Three Major Body Types

Sheldon’s somatotyping method categorized human bodies based on their shape and composition, specifically how naturally lean, fat, and/or muscular an individual is. He coined the terms ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph to describe the three major body types.

Ectomorph

An ectomorph body type is naturally lean with a more delicate build. Their overall body shape is quite linear with few curves, similar to a typical long-distance runner—smaller, lighter bones with less muscle mass and body fat. The main factor behind an ectomorph’s naturally skinny physique is a fast metabolism, which means they burn more calories even at rest. However, this fast metabolism also makes it difficult for ectomorphs to gain muscle, so they need to eat more calories and carbs than the average person.

Endomorph

In contrast, an endomorph body type is naturally fat or overweight, with a softer and rounder overall shape, similar to a shot-putter—bigger, denser bones with more body fat and a fair amount of muscle mass. Endomorphs have a slower metabolism that burns fewer calories, so they tend to gain weight more easily, even if they eat fewer calories. However, endomorphs are fast responders to resistance training and can burn off body fat with proper attention to calorie and carb intake.

Mesomorph

Lastly, the mesomorph body type is naturally muscular with more angular features, like the classic sprinter’s physique—a combination of minimal body fat and a powerfully muscular build with a medium bone structure. Mesomorphs have a metabolism somewhere between an ectomorph and endomorph, allowing them to gain muscle and lose fat with relative ease. However, even mesomorphs must still eat and train right to achieve their full potential.

Mixed Body Types

It’s important to note that not everyone can be neatly categorized into just three body types. Many people have a mix of characteristics from different somatotypes, often referred to as “mixed body types.” These individuals may have a combination of traits, such as an ectomorph-mesomorph or an endomorph-mesomorph, which can create unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to fitness and nutrition.

Identifying Your Body Type

So how do you determine your body type? There are a few key factors to consider, such as your natural build, the ease with which you gain or lose weight, and your response to different types of exercise. Some people may even fall into a mixed body type category, with characteristics of two or more of the main somatotypes.

Optimizing Your Fitness and Nutrition

Knowing your body type is crucial for developing an effective fitness and nutrition plan. Ectomorphs, for example, need to focus on eating more calories and carbs to build muscle, while endomorphs should prioritize resistance training and carefully manage their calorie and carb intake. Mesomorphs have a bit more flexibility, but they still need to find the right balance of diet and exercise to achieve their goals.

The Importance of Personalized Approaches

While body type is an important factor to consider, it’s not the only one. Other individual differences, such as age, gender, activity level, and overall health, can also play a significant role in determining the most effective fitness and nutrition strategies. That’s why it’s essential to take a personalized approach, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions.

By understanding your unique body type and how it affects your fitness and nutrition needs, you can unlock the keys to achieving your health and fitness goals. Whether you’re an ectomorph, endomorph, mesomorph, or a mix of body types, the right information and guidance can help you transform your body and improve your overall well-being.

Accurate Body Type Quiz For Men & Women – 5 Easy Questions

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Accurate Body Type Quiz For Men & Women – 5 Easy Questions

Body Type Quiz

Your genetics play a large role in shaping your body. And knowing your body type helps you optimize your diet and workouts to transform your body.

That’s why I created this simple body type quiz. So you can learn how to burn fat and build lean muscle with personalized guidance.

Choose Your Gender To Start The Body Type Quiz

Before you take the quiz, I strongly recommend reading the article below! It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll gain valuable insights into what body types are and how they affect your diet and exercise strategy.

Of course, you don’t have to read it word for word. Feel free to skim the headings or jump to a section from the table of contents.

Jump to Section

Science of Body Types

3 Major Body Types

Ectomorph

Endomorph

Mesomorph

Mixed Body Types

Ecto-Meso

Endo-Meso

How To Find Your Body Type

The Science of Body Types

The idea of human body types dates back at least 3,000 years to the advent of Ayurvedic medicine in India. In this ancient practice, there were three distinct body types called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Each body type is associated with specific physical and emotional characteristics. And the main principle is that knowing your body type can help you optimize your health and lifestyle.

Fast forward to 1940, and an American doctor brought the concept of somatotypes (body types) into modern science¹. Dr. W.H. Sheldon studied how anthropomorphic features affected people’s physical and psychological states.

While the role of body types in psychology is controversial, there is no arguing that genetic variation plays a large role in the way people look and respond to physical exercise.

Picture the athletes at a track and field meet. Everyone is relatively fit. Yet, there are distinctions in body shape and composition between the major events.

For example, distance runners tend to be skinny and lean. Sprinters are generally lean and muscular. While throwers are muscular and bulky².

Some of this variation is due to differences in training and diet. But much of it is predetermined by genetics and body type.

The 3 Major Body Types

Dr. Sheldon’s methods of somatotyping categorized human bodies based on shape and composition. In other words, how naturally lean, fat, and/or muscular an individual is.

In his work, Sheldon coined the terms ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph to describe the three major body types.

Ectomorph

An ectomorph body type is naturally lean with a more delicate build. And the overall body shape of an ectomorph is quite linear with few curves.

In practical terms, an ectomorph has the body type of a typical long-distance runner—smaller, lighter bones with less muscle mass and body fat.

But what causes ectomorphs to be naturally skinny when most people struggle to lose weight? The main factor is metabolic rate.

Ectomorphs are more likely to have a fast metabolism. In other words, they burn more calories even when just sitting around the house. And that means they don’t gain weight easily³.

While that may sound like a blessing, a super-fast metabolism makes it difficult to gain muscle. So ectomorphs don’t respond as well to resistance training and need to eat more calories and carbs than the average person.

Endomorph

By contrast, an endomorph body type is naturally fat or overweight. And their overall body shape is softer and rounder.

In the track and field analogy, an endomorph has the body type of a shot-putter—bigger, denser bones with more body fat and a fair amount of muscle mass.

As with ectomorphs, metabolism is the main factor that shapes the endomorph’s features. However, this body type has a slower metabolism that burns fewer calories.

Therefore, endomorphs tend to gain weight easier even if they eat fewer calories. And naturally, some of this weight gets stored as body fat.

But endomorphs are not destined to be fat. On the contrary, they are fast responders to resistance training and can burn off body fat with proper attention to calorie and carb intake.

Mesomorph

Lastly is the mesomorph body type. These are individuals who tend to be naturally muscular with more angular features.

Think of the classic sprinter’s physique. It combines minimal body fat with a powerfully muscular build and medium bone structure.

Mesomorphs have a metabolism somewhere between an ectomorph and endomorph. Being in that middle ground enables them to gain muscle and lose fat with relative ease.

However, being a mesomorph isn’t a free ticket to a Greek god body. Good genetics are only part of the equation. In addition, mesomorphs must eat and train right to achieve their full potential.

Mixed Body Types

Of course, it’s reasonable to point out that you can’t force every person on the planet into just three buckets. So at this point, it’s vital to explain the concept of mixed body types.

You see, body types are a spectrum, not explicit categories. And every person has features of all three body types, with one or two that are dominant.

That means we all have a little ecto, endo, and meso in us. But these mixed body types are usually expressed as ecto-meso or endo-meso.

Ecto-Meso

An ecto-meso body type is a mix of ectomorph and mesomorph. Therefore, they tend to be naturally lean but can also gain a respectable amount of muscle.

The long and high jumpers at a track meet are typically ecto-mesos. And they respond well to anaerobic (lifting) and aerobic (cardio) exercise⁴.

Often it can be hard to tell an ecto-meso from a true mesomorph because they overlap in body shape and composition. However, an ecto-meso has a faster metabolism and a more challenging time gaining weight than a mesomorph.

In addition, they are more likely to have the smaller bone structure and narrow rib cage of an ectomorph.

Endo-Meso

By contrast, an endo-meso is a mix of endomorph and mesomorph. So they tend to be naturally muscular and gain body fat quite quickly.

Endo-mesos would gravitate towards power-centric sports like rugby or powerlifting. And the biggest professional bodybuilders and strongmen have this body type.

Again there is an overlap between this body type and a mesomorph. But an endo-meso has a slightly slower metabolism than a mesomorph, making it a little easier to gain weight and muscle.

Also, this body type tends to share the dense bone structure and thick wrists of the endomorph.

Traditional Body Type Determination

At this point, you probably have a general idea of which body types are most dominant for you. But how do you find your body type based on quantifiable numbers?

The traditional method of determining body type involves many time-consuming measurements and complicated formulas referred to as the Heath-Carter method. Those numbers are then plotted on a chart showing you where you fall within the body type framework.

While accurate, this method is not practical for the vast majority of people who don’t have access to special equipment or the training to take the necessary measurements.

For this reason, I created a super simple body type quiz that only takes a few minutes. And the results are similar to what you’d get using the academic method.

How Does the Body Type Quiz Work?

My body type quiz works by asking you straightforward questions that require no measuring. Instead, each answer counts as a certain number of points, and those points are tallied to find your body type or mix of body types.

Body Type Quiz Questions

Of course, men and women have different builds, so the questions vary slightly depending on your gender. But here is a general idea of the topics involved.

Overall Body Shape

The first question in the quiz asks you if your general body shape is round, square, or triangular. While nobody has these exact geometric shapes, it does help hone in on your body type.

Wrist Size

Next up is your relative wrist size. The easiest way to assess this is by wrapping your middle finger and thumb around your wrist.

Then look at where your digits come together to see if they touch or overlap.

Lower Body Shape

The third question asks about your lower body in practical terms based on how your pants fit. This answer helps define your waist and leg proportions.

Upper Body Shape

For the fourth question, the phrasing is different for males and females. But the idea is to define your waist, arm, and shoulder proportions.

For men, you choose the best description for how your shirts fit. While women describe how toned their arms are.

Natural Weight

Finally, is a general description of your natural body weight, whether you tend to stay thin or carry extra fat.

Body Type Specific Meal Plan

Knowing what to eat to get in shape can be very confusing. But I can make it easy for you with a personalized plan built for your body type, activity level, and goals! Including a daily meal planner with 50+ recipes for just $13.99 per month!

Customize Your Plan

Body Type Quiz Score

Each question contributes a certain number of points to your overall score. But don’t worry, you don’t have to keep track or do any math. The quiz automatically adds up your score in the background.

All you have to do is answer the questions as honestly as possible and your true body type will be revealed. While the questions are simple, the results are surprisingly accurate.

Body Type Quiz Results

As soon as you submit your answers, you’re immediately shown your body type results. And unlike other quizzes, you are not required to enter your email address or personal information. You get your results with no strings attached.

On your results page, you’ll see the pros and cons of your body type. And you’ll get free tips on how to eat for your specific body type.

If the free advice sounds accurate, you do have the option to sign up for a personalized meal plan. But there is absolutely no pressure!

Take The Body Type Quiz

Now that you know how it works click here to take the body type quiz. You should be able to answer the five questions in just a few minutes. Then you’ll see your results and your personalized recommendations.

Metabolic Age Quiz

Your body type significantly influences your metabolic rate and your results from diet and exercise. But age and body composition also affect your metabolic rate.

As you get older, your metabolism naturally slows down. However, the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism gets.

Therefore, it’s possible to have a metabolism faster or slower than other people your age. This is called your metabolic age, and it’s an indicator of a healthy lifestyle.

Click here to try my free metabolic age calculator to check if you have a healthy body composition and see if your metabolism is faster or slower than average.

If none of those calculators spark your interest, I have plenty more informative content for you. Check out these other great articles and tools that will help you reach your fitness goals faster!

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The front squat is a great exercise. But it can be uncomfortable & hard to learn. See how to master front squats with this complete guide.

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Leg press foot placement significantly changes the muscles worked during the exercise. Learn which stance is best for quads, glutes, & hams.

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References
1) “William Herbert Sheldon.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Herbert_Sheldon.
2) Eiin, Wong Jyh, Nick Flyger, and Noela Wilson. “SOMATOTYPES OF YOUNG MALAYSIAN TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES.” Asian Journal of Exercise & Sports Science 4.1 (2007).
3) Ryan-Stewart, Helen, James Faulkner, and Simon Jobson. “The influence of somatotype on anaerobic performance.” PloS one 13.5 (2018): e0197761.
4) Chaouachi, M., et al. “Effects of dominant somatotype on aerobic capacity trainability.” British journal of sports medicine 39.12 (2005): 954-959.

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About the Author

Jeremy Fox  –  Founder of Nutritioneering, Engineer, CPT, Bodybuilder, Coach

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100% Body Positive Body Shape Quiz — The Laurie Loo

What’s one thing we all want? To look good, duh! Andddd what is the best way to look good even in your old sweats and a tee? To dress for your body shape! And I’ve made a little body shape quiz just to help you out, cause I’m cool like that.

Wait, why should I dress for my body shape?

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you that you absolutely must emphasize your waist if you aren’t a “lucky” hourglass or that you can play up those girls on your chest if you’re more “busty”.

The only reason you should know your body type is so that YOU can know what areas of your body you might like to play up or areas you never thought of as attractive. Even if you have the body of SpongeBob Squarepants, you can look great!

No one shape is for skinny girls and no one shape is for curvy girls. There are thin hourglasses and curvy rectangles, so don’t think your body fat percentage means a thing here! Your body shape is all about your bone structure.

Coincidentally, this is why if you use the quiz or calculator I won’t ask for your bust measurement. Your breasts are going to fluctuate on the daily and go up and down with your weight.

While it may be somewhat genetic, it doesn’t have a whole lot to do with body shape. Instead, you’ll be looking at the width of your shoulders for your top half comparison.

Knowing your body shape is a tool, one that you may decide to use or not. What you think is most flattering on your body type is up to you!

What are the types?

Don’t care to read about each type? Take the body shape quiz right now!

Pear/Triangle Body Shape

Are you a hippy girl? Got hips for days that are wider than your shoulders and perfect for Shakira dancing? You’re probably a pear/triangle!

Popular Pears: Cameron Diaz, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna

Tips to Flatter: You’ve got a heavier bottom half of your bod if this is you. If you aren’t in love with this, define your waist with tucked shirts or dresses with a defined waist seam. If you prefer not to define your waist, statement necklaces or hairdos are a great way to draw the eye up and make your body look longer!

Rectangle Body Shape

When you’re asked to measure your waist or you not totally sure where it is? If you’re a rectangle there probably isn’t much of a defined waist and your shoulders and hips will be almost the same width.

Rousing Rectangles: Gwyneth Paltrow, Queen Latifah, Anne Hathaway

Tips to Flatter: So many choices! If you’d prefer to have a more typically “feminine” look, try to define your waist with dresses that have a defined waist line or tuck shirts into jeans and skirts. If you feel a little boxy, try to add more curves to your clothing in the form of scoop neck shirts instead of V-necks or dresses that have flowy skirts to add volume on you lower half.

Hourglass Body Shape

This is the body shape everyone thinks is for curvy girls, but an hourglass can be 100 pounds or 300+. Do you have a SUPER defined waist that is smaller than both your shoulders and your hips? If so, let the sand start dripping because you’re an hourglass!

Hot Hourglasses: Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria

Tips to Flatter: Your waist is already there, but it’s up to you if you want to define it or not! If you want to define it, follow the advice for rectangles and pears. Thinner hourglasses might want to add volume to their bottom half with full skirts or dresses while a more curvy hourglass may want to go with a form fitting bottom option.

Inverted Triangle/Apple Body Shape

Do you have power shoulders or dread the idea of shoulderpads coming back in style? If your shoulders are bigger than both your waist and your hips, then you’re an inverted triangle/apple!

Amazing Apples: Jennifer Hudson, Drew Barrymore Jolie, and Catherine Zeta Jones

Tips to Flatter: This is the one shape where playing up your waistline may not come off as great, in fact you probably look amazing in fitted but not waist defined dresses! And I bet you’ve got legs for days. A-line dresses and skirts will look AMAZING on you and skinny pants over flares or boot legs will be most flattering, since they’ll hug your legs! Don’t be afraid to show off your top half, either!

Find My StyleLaurenFebruary 28, 2019body shape quiz, body type, inverted triangle, pear, apple, rectangle, hourglass, triangle

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TEST to determine the type of figure

Look at yourself in the mirror from the front and determine the visual ratio of proportions:

Shoulders, hips and waist are almost the same size

The upper half of the body is larger than the lower

The lower body is larger than the upper

Narrow waist ia , hips and shoulders are almost the same size

Now turn in profile:

Large chest and abdomen

Slightly inverted abdomen

Small torso, flat stomach, excellent abs

Well-defined waist and hips

Measure your waist and hips in centimetres. The difference is:

Less than 20 cm

More than 30 cm

20-30 cm

Less than 15 cm

When you gain a couple of kilos, where is the weight deposited in the first place?

Fat usually accumulates on the abdomen, legs – thighs, calves, buttocks, sometimes in the waist

Fat often accumulates in the upper body: arms, back, chest, abdomen

On the abdomen and lower body

Excess fat can be deposited in different places, but usually it occurs in the chest and hips

The main advantage of your figure:

Lush chest

Slender legs

Toned body

Fragile shoulders

Which of these is the most difficult for you pick according to shape?

Skinny jeans

Lingerie and swimwear

Skirts

Dresses

If you want to lose weight, the easiest way is:

Strict diet, detox, treatments and gym

Increasing already serious physical activity, avoiding dinner

Physical activity without food restrictions

Diet without increasing physical activity

Which celebrity do you most resemble?

Drew Berrymore

Eva Longoria

Kate Hudson

Kira Nitley

Scarlett Johansson

Pear (spoon, cone, inverted triangle)

9,000 9,000

This figure has many advantages, for example, men consider this physique the most seductive. But the owners of the “pear” with wide hips and a fragile top usually complain about the difficulty in choosing clothes. To adjust the proportions, focus on the upper body – wear bright tops, and choose dark calm shades for trousers or skirts. You can also afford a neckline and massive jewelry that focuses on the chest. Which celebrity to target? The sultry beauties Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Eva Longoria and Rihanna have the same type of figure.

Triangle (apple, diamond)

Girls with this body type have broad shoulders and narrow hips. An athletic athletic body with a set of extra pounds can look somewhat heavy. Among physical activities, preference should be given to all types of aerobics that develop large muscles of the hips and legs. When choosing clothes, pay attention to wide skirts with pleats, tight-fitting tops. You should not buy clothes with puffy sleeves, jackets with shoulder pads that focus on the shoulder girdle. But you can demonstrate slender legs in all its glory. Which celebrity has this body type? Your figure is of the same type as that of fit and slender Renee Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, Kate Hudson and Demi Moore.

Rectangle (banana, ruler)

This type of figure is characterized by slenderness, lack of fat deposits, but insufficient femininity – there is practically no waist. But it is the “Rectangle” that responds best to physical activity – you have elastic muscles by nature and you can easily adjust your proportions in the gym. As for the choice of clothes, then bet on layering. You can also afford stiff fabrics and intricate, figure-shaping architectural silhouettes. Another secret to the success of girls-“rectangles” – asymmetrical cut. Which celebrity to target? Refined and fragile Milla Jovovich, Keira Knightley, Gisele Bundchen, Nicole Kidman belong to the “rectangle” figure type.

Hourglass

Congratulations, you are the lucky owner of canonical female proportions. Those same 90x60x90 were written off precisely from the hourglass women. Even if you gain weight, it is distributed evenly and does not interfere with the overall attractiveness of the figure. In matters of choosing clothes, it is difficult for you to make a mistake, the main thing is to emphasize your dignity. As a rule, feminine elegant style is suitable for girls with a similar figure, unisex is definitely not your story. Who else has an hourglass? You are lucky to be in the company of recognized sex symbols – Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara, Monica Bellucci, Salma Hayek.

character of a woman according to the type of her figure

Triangle, rectangle, circle. No, we are not talking about a math lesson at all. Pear, apple – and again fruit has nothing to do with it. And the conversation today will be about the female figure. Nature rewarded every girl with her type. Of course, if something does not suit you, you will have to work hard in the gym and revise your diet in order to achieve the desired results and parameters.

Have you ever thought that the type of figure determines the character and temperament of its owner? Yes, yes, it turns out that your figure can tell what kind of woman you really are. And this test will help you with this.

photo: creativenails.ru

Choose the figure that best suits you and find out more about yourself.

“Triangle” figure

Women who always try to keep everything under control have this type of figure. Nature has rewarded them with leadership qualities, which they skillfully apply in any sphere of life. Self-confidence allows these women to go through life with their heads held high. Although sometimes because of this they are prone to arrogance.

They are accustomed to giving everyone advice, teaching, telling how to live and how to act in different situations. But others may not always like it, so they can try to put such women in their place. But quite rarely it can have any result. Because these women have only their opinion, and it is the only correct one!

Inverted triangle figure

Women with this type of figure are distinguished by their straightness. These girls will not miss the opportunity to prove themselves, demonstrating to others their true nature. If necessary, they are always ready to defend their position and prove their point of view. If necessary, they are even ready to resort to more severe measures.

Strong, independent, ambitious, sometimes quick-tempered – these words can describe women with an inverted triangle figure. They are not afraid of change. Always keep the course strictly forward and are not accustomed to turning back.

It should be noted that such natures cause some fear and apprehension in the opposite sex. But at the same time, such girls are always honest and will never play up, but are always ready to say in person what they think of you, and they will also tell you how you need to live. And it does not depend on the arrogance of character. The same, namely honesty and truth, they expect from those around them in relation to themselves.

“Hourglass” figure

And the owners of this type of figure are given out by a rather ferocious and sometimes even arrogant character. These are predominantly powerful women. But this is how they behave only with others. With their own partner, they know how to be gentle and affectionate. For those around her, she is a lioness woman, for her own, she is a sweet and accommodating cat, the keeper of the family hearth and comfort in the house. This is a woman who will never put a career in the foreground. She prefers to be behind her husband, more like a follower than a leader.

The only thing these girls don’t accept in life is arguing. They believe that it is not worth wasting their precious time and effort.

“Circle” figure

The owners of this type of figure are active women in life. They are not used to sitting in one place for a long time. After all, life is one, and there are so many unknown things in the world that you need to know, tell, study. These girls cannot imagine their life without adventures.

They are open to communication and like to spend time with friends. They are also called the soul of the company. They live with emotions.