No single exercise program is right for everyone; however, some exercise routines may be more suitable for people with specific body shapes or “body types.” An assessment of your body type involves your physical shape and appearance, muscle balance, and digestive and nervous systems to better determine which routine may work best based on your shape and metabolism.

Anthropometry refers to the measurement of people in order to understand human physical variation. This plays an important role in clothing design, ergonomics, architecture and other areas where statistical data on the distribution of body dimensions is used to optimize products. Anthropometric data collections are regularly updated, as changes in lifestyle, nutrition, and the ethnic composition of populations cause changes in the distribution of body dimensions.

William Sheldon is the pioneer behind a classification system called “somatypes” that associates body types and temperament. His theory proposed three basic body types and associated them with a set of personality characteristics. Today, Sheldon’s description of the three body types influences the understanding of weight loss, exercise and strength training. The three types of Sheldon are as follows:

1. endomorph-

Endomorphs tend to be pear-shaped and are prone to being overweight. Their hips are usually wider than their shoulders. They gain weight easily and have trouble losing weight. They are creatures of comfort, routine, and habit. They enjoy interacting with others, particularly if the social event involves food. Research has shown that people with this body type are prone to health problems such as addiction, substance abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, and panic attacks. Endomorphs need to focus on a high level of cardiovascular activity with light training to boost their metabolism.

2. Mesomorph-

Mesomorphs tend to have strong, muscular physiques – athletic builds. They can pack on muscle and lose weight with relative ease. Your shoulders are generally wider than your hips. They are high-energy, outgoing, strong-willed, and dynamic individuals known to be risk-taking, athletic, and competitive. If the goal is to lose weight, mesomorphs must do longer duration, higher intensity cardiovascular work. Since it is easy for this body type to build muscle, they should exercise with moderately heavy weights with higher repetitions.

3. ectomorph-

Ectomorphs tend to be underweight, skinny, or skinny. They have narrow hips and shoulders. They are naturally artistic, sensitive, self-aware, and socially reserved. Ectomorphs have trouble gaining weight and building muscle. People with this type should get enough cardiovascular exercise to work the heart and lungs, but not to the point of losing weight. If the goal is to build muscle, weight training should be heavier. Of particular importance is weight training for the upper body to maintain even proportions.

Most of us are not a stereotypical endomorph, mesomorph, or ectomorph. Instead, we tend to be a combination of at least two of these body types. Whatever your body composition, it shouldn’t diminish your ability to exercise. By understanding which type is most like you, it can be used as the basis for designing an exercise program that can best help you achieve your fitness goals.