Are you a Mesomorph? Learn how to exercise and eat for your body type

Plenty of people see exercise and eating right as a one-size-fits-all aspect of their overall lifestyle. While there are some broadly applicable truths relating to fitness and diet, there is still enough variation from individual to individual that a more bespoke approach is usually best.

It all comes down to genetics, as some people are naturally predisposed to be well-built and muscular and have an easier time building their bodies through training and nutrition.

These lucky few are known as mesomorphs and are one of three main categories of humans that can help define which kind of routine will work best for your health and fitness.

So what does this mean for your physical self-improvement efforts, and how can you maximize the impact of your workouts and meal planning to get the best results?

Unpicking the mesomorph conundrum

From the brief outline above, it might seem like mesomorphs have it made. While it is undoubtedly true that people with this body type will find it easier to build upon their naturally occurring musculature, that does not mean it is a complete cakewalk.

Indeed it would be best if you aimed to follow a mesomorph diet guide and stick to training routines that are specially tuned to your needs as well as your innate attributes.

For example, mesomorphs will be exceptionally well-positioned to benefit from resistance training, as their muscle development will be accelerated significantly through this type of workout.

Of course, the other side of the coin is that some mesomorphs are not just looking to put on pure bulk. Instead, move towards the leaner end of the spectrum, if only because this makes it easier to buy off-the-peg clothing without finding that your dimensions are inconveniently non-standard. In this instance, it is better to identify workouts that will not cause you to pile on the muscle; aerobic exercise such as running can be helpful, as just one option of many.

Thankfully whatever your goals, there is a straightforward equation for determining how to handle your diet, based solely on calorie counting. To put on muscle, consume more calories than you power through as part of your fitness routine. To lose mass and stay lean, consume fewer calories instead, which will burn off fat and avoid unwanted bulkiness in your musculature as well.

Exploring the other body types

Mesomorphs are made for short-limbed, broad-backed strength. Still, there are also ectomorphs with longer limbs and higher metabolic rates, which tend to be skinny, as well as endomorphs who have larger skeletal frames and more considerable fat reserves.

For ectomorphs, putting on weight is more of a struggle, as is gaining muscle mass, so creating a fitness regime and nutrition plan which pumps in plenty of calories and focuses on weights to push through gains is sensible.

For endomorphs, a lower-calorie diet combined with ample aerobic exercise and resistance training will help drive off the naturally stored weight and ideally push you further towards the lean end of the spectrum.

Ultimately it is all about getting to know your own body, listening to its needs, and also understanding the genetic differences that make it unique so that you can work with them, rather than trying to fight against them.

It takes time and effort for mesomorphs, ectomorphs, and endomorphs to achieve their fitness goals, but hopefully, by paying attention to your body type, you will learn to love it, no matter what you want to do with it.