![]() Some people are naturally more muscular, others are naturally more overweight, and others are naturally thinner. Looking at that, I mean, there’s nothing much to argue with. Ectomorphs are taller, narrower, and skinnier.Endomorphs are squatter and more overweight.What’s kind of cool is that the word “ectomorph” is named for the ectoderm-our skin. It was part of his somatotype taxonomy that he used to divide men into three distinct body types: mesomorphs, endomorphs, and ectomorphs. The term “ectomorph” was coined by William Herbert Sheldon. So let’s talk about that research for a second. It can sound like we believe in somatotype psychology research or something. We talk as if we value science, but then we also use unscientific slang like “ectomorph” to talk about ourselves. It’s just a colloquial term he uses.Īs a result, we’ve dunked ourselves in a boiling pot of water. But it’s not like you’ll find him referring to ectomorphs in his research papers. For instance, in this article, the leading hypertrophy researcher Brad Schoenfeld, PhD, talks about how ectomorphs often need to eat more calories. Yes, you might hear published hypertrophy researchers talking about “ectomorphs” and “endomorphs” when they’re talking casually. You won’t find it in hypertrophy studies. They use it as an easy way to refer to someone with a small bone structure who’s naturally skinny. People have been colloquially talking about “ ectomorphs” ever since the 1940s. In this same niche, there’s also Stronger by Science for powerlifters and Built With Science for the average person trying to build muscle. Our methods are fairly conventional and classic, but we also go to great lengths to keep abreast of the hypertrophy research and evolve our methods along with it. These are the programs like… well… ours, I suppose. “The most comprehensive meta-analysis to date shows that this method is better” and “biomechanically, this lift does a better job of stimulating the chest” are the research-driven group. These are the programs like Starting Strength and StrongLifts 5×5. “Steve Reeves used this routine” and “5×5 routines have been around for decades” are the classic group. Some guys like classic, time-proven methods, whereas other guys like data-driven, evidence-based guidelines. But there’s also a rift within those niches. Even with weight training, there are different lifting niches, right? There are the CrossFitters, the powerlifters, and the bodybuilders. ![]() There’s a funny thing going on in the fitness industry. If you’d prefer to read, read on! Introduction But disagreeing with good arguments is far more interesting than disagreeing with bad ones, and there’s far more to be learned that way. In fact, Jeff Nippard has my favourite YouTube channel of all time. To be totally clear, I love all of those channels. ![]() So, what is an ectomorph? Is it a real term? Is there a better word to describe naturally skinny guys? And how should we be eating and training to accomplish our rather rare goal of wanting to bulk up? But at the same time, should we really be telling the skinny guy who’s trying to gain fifty pounds of muscle to eat the same diet as the overweight person who’s trying to lose a hundred pounds of fat? Or that endomorphs need more cardio, whereas ectomorphs should eschew it. You’ll also find a lot of questionable ads advertising an “ectomorph diet” or an “ectomorph workout.” They might claim that endomorphs need intermittent fasting, whereas ectomorphs need to eat more carbohydrates. ![]() Some people find themselves gradually growing overweight, whereas other people find themselves thin as rakes. But it’s also clear that different people have different struggles, and their struggles are often rooted in their genetics. It’s true that the word “ectomorph” is rooted in the bogus science of William Sheldon. Is “ectomorph” a real term? Is it a real thing? Is that an accurate way to describe a naturally skinny person with a tall, narrow build who has a hard time gaining weight? These are surprisingly controversial questions, it’s a controversial word, and over the past ten years, we’ve gotten a lot of flack for using it. ![]()
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