What's My Body Type? Somatotype Quiz for Endomorphs, Mesomorphs and Ectomorphs

Understanding the Three Main Somatotypes

When it comes to body shape and composition, most people fall into one of three main somatotype categories - endomorph, mesomorph, or ectomorph body types. Knowing your natural body type gives insight into how you respond to diet and exercise. Use this guide to discover your somatotype and how to eat and train for your body's unique needs.

The Three Body Types

Endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs each have distinctive traits that impact fitness potential. Your somatotype depends on your proportions of;

• Fat mass - Where do you store excess fat?
• Muscle mass - How easily do you build muscle?
• Bone structure - What is your natural frame size and width?

Endomorph Body Type

In general, the endomorph body type is characterized by:

• Soft round body frame with wider hips and higher fat storage
• Difficulty losing fat and easy weight gain
• Challenging building muscle and definition
• Slower metabolism

Mesomorph Body Type

The mesomorph somatotype typically displays:

• Athletic solid body frame with well defined muscles
• Rectangular shaped torso with broad shoulders and narrow waist
• Gains both fat and muscle easily
• Effective response to strength training and muscle building

Ectomorph Body Type

Lean ectomorphs usually exhibit:

• Thinner narrow frame with flat torso, small joints, lean limbs
• trouble gaining weight due to fast metabolism
• Challenging muscle gain and strength increases
• Low body fat despite higher carb intake

Your genes contribute significantly to your natural somatotype which is difficult to drastically change. But diet, training, and lifestyle habits can optimize your current body type.

Find Your Body Type: True Mesomorph, Endomorph or Ectomorph?

What characteristics match your unique body shape and fitness abilities? Discover which natural somatotype your traits align with most closely.

Consider Your Bone Structure

Your underlying skeleton offers clues into your body type. Ask yourself:

• Do I have a small, medium, or large frame size?
• Are my wrists, ankles, shoulders thick or thin boned?
• Is my rib cage wide or narrow compared to hip width?

Ectomorphs lean towards slight bone structure. Mesomorphs have medium rugged frames. Endomorphs trend towards thicker rounded bones.

Examine Fat Storage Patterns

Does your body store excess fat predominantly around the:

• Midsection and all over - typical endomorph pattern
• Hips, butt and thighs - tendency for endomorphs as well
• Upper back and shoulder region more - mesomorph trait

Ectomorphs find it harder to gain fat but when they do it often appears around the belly first.

Muscle Building Potential

How would you categorize your muscle building abilities?

• Hard gainer who rarely shows definition - ectomorph experience
• Athletic physique responds quickly to training - mesomorph
• Slower muscle development despite strength training - endomorph tendency

Your natural somatotype greatly impacts your body's ability to build lean mass.

Analyze Metabolic Rate

A key distinguishing factor between body types is metabolic rate. Is your's generally:

• Fast - you stay leaner and burn calories without much effort - ectomorph
• Moderate - you gain both fat and muscle fairly easily - mesomorph
• Slow - you gain fat more readily than muscle and struggle losing weight - endomorph

Metabolic efficiency aligns closely with somatotype and response to diet.

Fitting Exercise, Nutrition and Lifestyle to Your Body Type

Once you know your natural tendencies as an endomorph, ectomorph or mesomorph, you can fine tune fitness plans accordingly. See tips for each below.

Endomorph Diet and Training Tips

Endomorphs should emphasize:

• Higher protein intake to support muscle growth - up to 1.2 grams per pound of body weight daily
• Lower carb diet focusing on veggies over grains to facilitate fat loss
• Higher intensity cardio sessions to ramp up calorie burn
• Strength training to build metabolic boosting lean muscle
• Portion control and meal spacing to regulate blood sugar

Mesomorph Diet and Exercise Strategies

Mesomorphs tend to find success with:

• Balanced macros - 30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% fat
• Moderately high protein fueling muscle gains - up to 1 gram per pound of bodyweight
• Lower sodium intake avoiding water retention and bloat
• Cardio and weight lifting for all around fitness

Ectomorph Nutrition and Workout Plans

Ectomorphs should focus on:

• Higher carb intake for energy and weight gain - go for whole grains
• More calorically dense foods like nut butters, dried fruit, sweet potatoes
• Frequent eating every 3 hours to spur growth supporting hormones
• Heavy strength training to stimulate new muscle development
• Recovery supporting sleep and reduced cardio duration

Customizing Your Somatotype Approach Over Time

As your fitness level and goals evolve, you may need to reassess and tweak your body type strategy.

Re-evaluate Your Somatotype

Every few months, review your current:

• Body fat distribution
• Muscle building responsiveness
• Metabolic rate

This gives clues if you are shifting towards a different dominant somatotype from lifestyle changes.

Periodize Your Nutrition

Cycle your macro goals during different training phases. For example, an endomorph may go higher carb in the off-season for a mesomorph-like approach. Then lower carb pre-competition emphasizing endo strategies again.

Incorporate Intermittent Fasting

Fasting periods can optimize body composition for any somatotype by:

• Spiking growth hormone for ectos needing muscle
• Increasing insulin sensitivity for endos struggling with blood sugar spikes
• Lowering overall calorie intake for mesos prone to fat gain

A flexible fasting plan works for multiple body types.

Track Progress Continuously

Weigh ins, body part measurements, body fat testing, and progress photos allow you to accurately assess what's working at different stages. This helps guide appropriate shifts in your somatotype nutrition and training as needed.

Fine tuning your fitness regimen to match your natural mesomorph, ectomorph, or endomorph tendencies sets you up for better results long-term.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.