Endomorph Body Type Overview
Endomorph is one of three main somatotypes or body types. Endomorphs naturally have a larger, rounded physique with a soft, heavy build. This body type tends to gain fat very easily and struggles to lose it. But with the right diet and training, endomorph men can achieve a fit, muscular physique.
Characteristics of the Endomorph
Some defining traits of the endomorph body type include:
- Round, soft body shape
- Wide waist and hips
- Rectangular torso and wide shoulders
- Shorter arms and legs
- Gains fat very easily
- Struggles to lose fat
- Builds muscle easily
- High calorie needs
- Slow metabolism
Endomorph Diet Approach
Endomorphs need a lower calorie, lower carb, and higher protein diet to avoid gaining excess fat. Aim for:
- 25-35% calories from lean protein like chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt
- 40-50% calories from healthy complex carbs like vegetables, fruits, whole grains
- 15-25% calories from healthy fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil
- Lots of fiber from veggies, fruits, whole grains
- 8+ cups of water daily
Endomorph Training Tips
Weight training is crucial for endomorph men to build lean muscle mass. Optimal training includes:
- 3-5 training sessions per week
- Heavy compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, rows
- Higher rep range of 10-15 reps
- Shorter rest periods between sets
- Mix of power, strength, and hypertrophy training
- 2-3 cardio sessions per week
Spotlight on Successful Endomorph Models
Many high profile male models have an endomorph body type. With hard work and commitment, they've forged impressive physiques. Here are some inspiring examples.
Vin Diesel
Actor and producer Vin Diesel is a quintessential endomorph. He naturally carries more body fat with a soft, rounded shape. But he's transformed his physique over the years through disciplined diet and training. Diesel follows a high protein diet and intense weight lifting regimen to build his muscular frame.
Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler exemplifies how endomorph men can achieve a shredded physique. With 300 depicting his sculpted abs, Butler showed how endomorphs can get cut with diligent dieting and training. He follows a low carb diet to control fat gain and hits the gym up to 6 times a week.
Russell Crowe
Known for weight fluctuations, Russell Crowe demonstrates the endomorph tendency towards fat gain. But he's also built an imposing muscular physique over the years with committed strength training. Crowe does weight training 4-5 times per week to continually build his physique as an endomorph.
Tim Robbins
Standing at 6'5", Tim Robbins has a naturally larger endomorph frame. He gained weight for some film roles earlier in his career. But Robbins has maintained a muscular physique through training for movies like Green Lantern. His workout regimen focuses on lifting for strength and size.
Kevin James
Comedian Kevin James has publicly struggled with his endomorph weight. He's yo-yo dieted over the years trying to slim down. But James has achieved solid muscular definition through training. For Here Comes the Boom, he did MMA fighting to get in shape playing an athletic role.
Diet Tips for Endomorph Men
To prevent excessive fat gain and achieve their physique goals, endomorph men should follow these diet strategies:
Lower Calorie Intake
Endomorphs need a lower calorie intake than other body types to avoid gaining fat. Calculate your maintenance calories, then aim for a 300-500 calorie deficit to steadily lose fat.
Increase Protein Intake
Eating 0.7-1 gram of protein per pound of body weight helps endomorph men build muscle while losing fat. Get quality protein from sources like eggs, chicken, Greek yogurt, fish, and lean red meat.
Reduce Carbohydrate Portions
Limiting overall carbs can help control endomorph fat gain. Focus on getting carbs from vegetables, some fruits, and modest portions of whole grains or starchy carbs.
Choose Healthy Fats
Endomorph men still need healthy unsaturated fats each day from sources like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Avoid saturated and trans fats.
Load Up on Fibrous Veggies
Non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, and cauliflower provide bulk and fiber to help endomorph men feel full on fewer calories.
Stay Hydrated
Drink at least 1 gallon or 4 liters of water daily to stay hydrated, control appetite, flush toxins, and prevent water retention.
Training Tips for the Endomorph Body Type
Along with optimal diet, endomorph physique goals require a tailored training approach including:
Lift Heavy Weights
Endomorphs build muscle easily with strength training. Focus on heavy compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, bench press, pull-ups, rows, and overhead press.
Train for Strength and Hypertrophy
Mix training blocks that focus on strength, power, and hypertrophy or muscle size gains. This variation helps endomorphs make continual progress.
Maintain Higher Rep Ranges
Sets in the 10-15 rep range with shorter rest periods boost calorie burn during endomorph workouts to maximize fat loss from training.
Add Metabolic Work
Include challenging metabolic circuits, supersets, drop sets, and minimal rest periods to rev up fat burning in the gym.
Do More Cardio
Endomorph men benefit from more cardio to burn extra calories and create an additional fat deficit. Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate cardio each week.
Try HIIT Cardio
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is very effective for endomorph fat loss. Cycle hard and easy intervals during your cardio sessions.
How Endomorph Models Stay Ripped on Camera
Male models with endomorph body types use tactics like these to look photoshoot ready:
Strict Cutting Diets
Models will follow very calculated diets before photoshoots or appearances, restricting carbs and fat to define muscle and drop excess water.
Intensive Training
Rigorous daily workouts help shred endomorph body fat quickly in the weeks leading up to modeling events and photo sessions.
Intermittent Fasting
Models fast for 14-20 hour periods to force fat loss during photo prep. Some do full 24+ hour fasts.
Low Sodium Intake
They avoid excess sodium for several days before photoshoots to prevent water retention and look leaner.
Carb Cycling & Depletion
Strategically increasing and decreasing carbs helps endomorph models drop water weight and maximize muscle definition.
Dehydration Techniques
Some models severely dehydrate before photos to look more ripped, but this is an extreme and dangerous tactic.
How to Embrace Your Endomorph Body Type
As an endomorph male, you can take these steps to embrace your body type:
Understand the Endomorph Tendencies
Learn about the endomorph traits so you understand why your body responds the way it does to diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors.
Accept Your Natural Shape
Your endomorph shape is largely genetic, so accept and appreciate your broad shoulders, stocky hips, and muscular limbs.
Set Realistic Goals
Given your body type, set achievable goals for muscle gain and fat loss - expect slower but steady progress.
Tailor Your Training
Train in ways that work best for your body like higher reps and intense metabolic work to maximize fat burning.
Find Sustainable Nutrition Habits
Focus on nutrition strategies you can maintain long-term, not extreme diets.
Focus On Strength & Health
Define fitness on your strength, energy, and health, not just your physique.
Remember Your Value
Know you are so much more than your body type or appearance. You have inherent value.
The Takeaway: Train Hard, Eat Smart, Be Patient
Endomorph men can achieve a fit, toned physique with training and nutrition tailored to their body type. The keys are strength training consistently, controlling carb and fat intake, doing ample cardio, and having realistic expectations. With motivation and patience, endomorph men can build an impressive masculine physique.
FAQs
What is an endomorph body type?
Endomorphs have a naturally larger, softer body frame that tends to gain fat easily. Endomorphs have a rounded shape with wide hips, a rectangular torso, shorter limbs, and broad shoulders.
What is the best diet for an endomorph?
Endomorphs should follow a lower calorie, lower carbohydrate, and higher protein diet to control fat gain. They need about 25-35% of calories from protein, 40-50% from carbs, and 15-25% from healthy fats.
How should endomorphs train in the gym?
Endomorphs build muscle well with heavy strength training. They benefit from higher rep ranges like 10-15 reps and more metabolic work like supersets, drop sets, and circuits to maximize fat burning.
How can endomorph models get photoshoot ready?
Endomorph models use tactics like strict cutting diets, intensive training, intermittent fasting, sodium reduction, carb manipulation, and sometimes dehydration before photoshoots.
How can endomorph men embrace their body type?
Endomorph men should understand their natural tendencies, accept their shape, set realistic goals, tailor training/nutrition, focus on strength and health, and be patient during their fitness journey.
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.
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