“Here’s where it gets interesting because there has been a shift regarding the relevancy of this classification system.”
You may have heard the term “ectomorph” before. It is one of three body types in a body classification system developed over 80 years ago. There are dozens of blog articles explaining the three categories and which one you fall into. Or sometimes, they debunk the system altogether. But did you know that there is a numerical scoring system that goes along with it? And that individuals rarely fall into the actual category of Endomorph, Mesomorph, and Ectomorph? You thought that an ectomorph was just a skinny guy, but it is not. So what is an ectomorph, and are you one?
Key Points
| An “ectomorph” is one of three extreme examples and is not often observed in real life. |
| Sheldon’s somatotype classification system was never meant as a fitness metric. |
| The Heath-Carter method is a more accurate and applicable way to classify an individual’s body type. |
Origin
The body classification system of somatotypes was introduced in the 1940s by an American psychologist named William H. Sheldon, Ph.D., MD. Sheldon believed that each of us was born with a specific body type, and identifying that body type could predict one’s temperament. The somatotype model was used among exercise professionals, and nutritionists for years but is now generally considered obsolete. However, the three somatotypes are still often used to describe a body type and are prevalent in today’s fitness culture despite its reputation.
Sheldon’s work was further developed by his assistant, Barbara Heath, and later, Lindsay Carter. This lead to the conception of the Heath-Carter method. This method is more robust and applicable to the world of sports and fitness.
The 3 body somatotypes
Endomorph:
An endomorph is a term used to describe what is essentially the opposite of an ectomorph. These body types are heavier, as they carry more body fat. These individuals gain fat easily. The men are “heavy-set” and the women are often described as “curvy”.
Mesomorph:
Any definition of a mesomorph includes the descriptor: athletic. These individuals aren’t described as overweight or underweight, often have muscle, don’t suffer from easy weight gain, but don’t have difficulty with it either. The mesomorph body type is often seen as winning the genetic lottery.
Ectomorph:
This is the typical skinny or lanky body type. These individuals will have little body fat and little muscle. These individuals are often described as “hardgainers”. If you’re a regular reader of The Smart Gainer, then you’re well familiar with this body type, as it most likely describes you.
Why the 3 body somatotype model isn’t relevant today
Here’s where it gets interesting because there has been a shift regarding the relevancy of this classification system.
The general consensus is that this classification system isn’t applicable due to its simplicity and generalization of body types. The argument is that the human body varies so greatly from person to person, that we are all actually a mix of these three body types, and rarely does anyone fall into one category alone. And this is true.
However, Sheldon’s system isn’t as simple as everyone makes it out to be. Of course, lumping everyone into one of three categories is over-simplistic and, to be frank, asinine. That’s why Sheldon created a numerical scoring system to help classify body types.
Sheldon’s theory that a specific body type could predict one’s temperament has been rightfully debunked by the scientific community. But his research regarding the body types was further developed by his assistant, Barbara Heath, and later, Lindsay Carter. This lead to the conception of the Heath-Carter method.
The Heath-Carter method adds real depth to the classification system that Sheldon originally invented, and saved it from complete disregard as the Heath-Carter method is still used by the scientific community today.
Unfortunately, this scoring system is often overlooked, and the whole model is often regarded as irrelevant.
How body types are classified
The three somatotypes (Endomorph, Mesomorph, and Ectomorph) are considered the extreme and are not often observed.
One’s body type is given three scores from 1-7. The total score will be three digits, each representing one’s closeness to that somatotype. The first digit represents the endomorph rating, the second represents the mesomorph rating, and lastly, the ectomorph rating.
A hardgainer who considered themselves an ectomorph would have to be scored a 1-1-7 to be a true ectomorph. A true endomorph would be a 7-1-1 and a true mesomorph would be a 1-7-1.
This is where the Heath-Carter method comes in. Upon measuring skinfolds, circumferences, and breadths all-around ones body, an individual would be assigned a more nuanced (and accurate) score (e.g. 2-6-2). This score can be applied to a shield diagram like the one above, and assigned to an athletic body type and the sport that body type likely falls into.
Why you shouldn’t label yourself as an ectomorph
Today, in the fitness industry, the three-body somatotypes are seen as very basic and simplistic stereotypes. Sheldon’s work was never meant for fitness but instead leaned into the belief that body types did not change over one’s lifetime, and could be correlated to one’s personality.
If you call yourself an ectomorph, you’re referring to Sheldon’s simplistic concept of a 1-1-7 body type. And that’s fine because most people consider ectomorph to be synonymous with hardgainer.
But it’s not the same thing.
What led to the Heath-Carter method was exactly that: the lack of application for athletes. They saw a system that could be further developed to benefit the sports industry.
The Heath-Carter system is designed around body structure and the belief that we can change our body types over the course of our lives. This is paramount because the simple label of ‘ectomorph’ can limit one’s perception of what one can achieve.
You may believe that you’re stuck being a hardgainer. You’re an ectomorph and that’s something you’re going to have to live with. If you just scratch the surface of Sheldon’s work, this seems true. But now you know that Sheldon had a different direction in mind, that his three body somatotypes weren’t ever meant for the fitness industry. The Heath-Carther method dug that up and turned it into something applicable.
It’s probably best if we don’t use these labels, as they carry a negative connotation. You can change your body type.
You aren’t stuck being an “ectomorph”
I know this because I was an ectomorph. Tall, skinny, frail, no muscle, no fat. If anyone looks at my physique now, they would call me a mesomorph without hesitation. It’s true that I may have the structure of an ectomorph, but I proved that it’s possible to gain the muscle and body fat required to shed the shameful label.
And I’m just a normal guy, so you can do it too.
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