MOST PEOPLE HAVE A PRETTY CLEAR IDEA OF THE RESULTS THEY’RE AFTER WITH THEIR EXERCISE AND HOW THEY’D LIKE TO LOOK,

but is achieving an ideal body an option for everyone? ‘Ideal’, of course, means different things to different

people, but is everything up for grabs for us all, or are there limits to what you can achieve with your

training, based on the shape you’re born with? Since the 1940s, body types have been broadly classified

into three types. There’s the ectomorphs: lean and long, with difficultly building muscle. Then you have the

endomorphs: big, often pear shaped, with a high tendency to store body fat. And, finally, the mesomorphs:

muscular and well-built with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells. These are hugely broad

descriptions and, in reality, every individual is unique – not only in relation to their body type, but also with

regard to their genetics and family history. The classifications can be limited when it comes to determining

the results you’ll get with your training, so what can you do to reach your ideal body, whatever your shape?

HOW TO BUILD YOUR BEST-EVER BODY, NO MATTER THE GENETIC CARD YOU’VE BEEN DEALT.

BY JEFF ARCHER

TYPE

BODY

BEAT YOUR

SEPTEMBER 2019 MEN’S FITNESS 77