As an athlete, you likely understand the importance of being in-tune with your body and what it needs. However, for the best performance results, you need to know what kind of body system you have. Each person has a unique body type that has different nutritional and physical needs, and understanding these needs is the key to living a healthy, active lifestyle.

3 Body Types & What They Need

1. Ectomorph

A person with this body type may experience difficulty putting on weight or building muscle, regardless of the exercises they do or the foods they consume. People with an ectomorph body are often very lean with minimal fat or muscle. Their bones may be easily visible, and their joints may be fragile. Athletes with this body type benefit from diets that are high in good fats and exercise routines that focus on power and resistance training to maximize muscle development.

2. Mesomorph

The mesomorph body type is considered ideal by many athletes. People with this type of system gain or lose weight easily, depending on their fitness and nutritional goals, and they don’t have to work as hard as ectomorphs to develop muscles. Because their bodies react quickly to dietary and exercise changes, the right approach will depend on what your goal is, whether it’s bulking, cutting weight, or maintaining.

3. Endomorph

If you struggle to lose weight, and you visibly carry more fat on your body, you’re likely an endomorph. This body type is typically accompanied by a slower metabolism, making it difficult to shed pounds. People with this kind of system are best-suited to high-intensity cardio exercises as they’re the most effective at burning calories. Minimizing your intake of carbohydrates and increasing the amount of lean protein you eat is key to losing weight.

If you need help figuring out your body type, talk to the professionals at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health in Honolulu, HI. Serving athletes across Oahu, these experts have a keen understanding of nutrition, fitness, and wellness. They’ll take a unique, comprehensive approach to your lifestyle and needs, then devise a custom plan that delivers the best results. Learn more about what they can do for athletes online, or call (808) 521-8170 to schedule an appointment.