3 main male body types and how to tell them apart

The male body types are all built uniquely—some are leaner, taller, or have broader shoulders. So there’s no such thing as an ‘average’ or ‘typical’ body. 

But there are three general compositions that men are predetermined to fall into, known as somatotypes.

Each somatotype has its own core characteristics regarding your physique. Knowing your type will help you identify the most suitable diet and workout routine.

Although you don’t choose what body type to have, having this knowledge can optimize your health and unlock your body’s fullest potential.

What are the different male body types?

There are three main somatotypes of men: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. One looks like a bodybuilder, like Arnold Schwarzenegger. One is lean, like Zac Efron. And the other is on the heftier side, like Seth Rogan.

But how can you tell your body type? Here’s a more detailed look at each category:

Ectomorph

Characteristics: Those with an ectomorphic body are lean with thin legs and arms as well as narrow chest and shoulders, and little-to-no body fat. They also tend to have narrow faces and appear very delicate. 

Shape: Rectangle.

Diet and metabolism: Ectomorphs have a hard time gaining weight; no matter how much they eat, they remain skinny. 

But just because they have this body type doesn’t mean they should indulge in junk food. Their metabolism will slow down as they age, which can then lead to an unhealthy gain in body fat. 

So the key is to eat a healthy, balanced diet filled with power foods, which include:

• Carbohydrates like oats, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and potatoes.
• Fruits that include bananas, mangoes, pineapple, papaya, avocado, and peaches.
• Vegetables that include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beets, and carrots.
• Nutrient-filled snacks including nuts and seeds, as well as nut butters. 

Fitness: Due to their lean mass, ectomorphs will find it difficult to build muscle and sculpt their bodies. So many often opt for endurance-type activities, like running or cycling. However, they can highly benefit from a solid, consistent weight-training program.

Famous male ectomorphs: Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, and Toby McGuire.

Mesomorph

Characteristics: Mesomorphs lie in between ectomorphs and endomorphs. They tend to have a naturally athletic body shape—muscular bodies with strong arms, strong legs, and very little body fat. They normally have a narrow waist and a large head that matches their broad shoulders.

Shape: Inverted triangle.

Diet and metabolism: It’s all about balance with mesomorphs, and as a general rule, their plate should consist of 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs and fat, and 1/3 fruits and vegetables. So when it comes to diets and maintaining a healthy metabolism, mesomorphs should keep the following food groups in mind:

• Protein, especially that of high quality, such as Greek yogurt, white meats, and eggs. And it seems that mesomorphs respond better to high-protein diets.
• Whole grains, including rice, quinoa, and similar whole grains.
• Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and oils.

Fitness: Mesomorphs have a great advantage—they can build muscle and burn fat pretty easily. However, that shouldn’t be a reason to adopt a sedentary lifestyle. A full-body workout with cardio and weight training can help a mesomorph maintain a healthy and fit body.

Famous male ectomorphs: Chris Hemsworth, LL Cool J, and Mark Wahlberg. 

Endomorph

Characteristics: An endomorph male is the polar opposite of an ectomorph. They have a more stocky body type—a round, typically short, curvaceous shape with short necks, small shoulders, and thick waists, calves, and ankles.

Shape: Oval.

Diet and metabolism: Endomorphs tend to have a higher body fat percentage, putting them at greater risk for health problems. They’re more sensitive to carbs, so they’re better off consuming:

• Lean meats and fish.
• Fruits and vegetables.
• Nuts and seeds.
• Healthy fats, like avocado or olive oil.

Fitness: An endomorph may find building muscle comes easily. However, because their bodies are prone to excess fat and a slower metabolism, it makes it more difficult to stay lean. So a well-rounded fitness program is beneficial to those with an endomorph body type. To help boost metabolism, both weight and cardio training are recommended. 

Famous male endomorphs: Danny DeVito, John Goodman, and Santa Claus.

Which body type are you?

You can identify which category you fall into with a body type quiz. But an alternative way is to look at your physical traits:

Keep in mind that Sheldon’s classification of body types was based solely on physical features. Moreover, he believed that people with the same physique also had some psychological traits in common. 

While today this notion is considered outdated, Sheldon’s method of body typing was eventually turned into a mathematical model called the Heath-Carter Anthropometric Somatotype. This takes into account bone length, height-to-weight ratios, fat percentage, photographic analysis, and other measurements.

It’s more accurate than its predecessors, especially when it comes to the body types that may teeter between two somatotypes (we are all unique, after all). These include meso-endomorphs and ecto-mesomorphs.

• Meso-endomorphs tend to have a pear-shaped body. They have mid-thickness around the waists and ankles, small to medium-sized shoulders and chests, and wider hips. Biologically, females tend to have this body physique more than their male counterparts. But think Jack Black.

• On the other hand, ecto-mesomorphs often have bodies with broad shoulders, a ‘V’ shape of the torso, and narrow waists, ankles, and wrists. They tend to be athletic, so they can easily fluctuate between being super lean or very muscular. Think Dwayne Wade, Hugh Jackman, and LeBron James.

So though the Heath-Carter Anthropometric Somatotype model can get a bit complicated, especially if you just don’t enjoy math, this model can still serve as a foundation to scientifically identify body types.

Can you change your body shape?

It’s important to understand that our shape is determined by our overall bone structure, genetics, and overall build. But one factor, as a 2020 study shows, that has an effect on our body shape and size is aging. Although it’s more commonly seen in female bodies, it can affect males as well.

We might get a little bit of a ‘dad bod’ due to hormonal changes, our metabolism slowing down, and the decrease in physical activity. Kind of like Leonardo DiCaprio or Russell Crowe.

The wonderful thing about our bodies is that they’re adaptable to change. If you choose to transform your body, there are natural methods to help you emphasize certain features or your overall shape.

For instance, high-intensity training—the kind you can get from Mindvalley’s 10X Quest—can help burn calories, lose weight, and build muscle. Or if you’re more of an introverted exerciser, you can adopt a kettlebell workout routine with The Way of the Kettlebell Quest that you can do right in your own home.

You can also lean into the aging process by implementing longevity tips from The Longevity Blueprint Quest to perform optimally and live longer. What’s more, there’s also the option to explore intuitive eating. The WILDFIT Quest helps you address your relationship with what you eat and take control of your food freedom.

Whatever your choice may be—whether to gain or lose weight—do it for you, not for the societal expectations of what a healthy male body should look like. It’s like nutrition expert Eric Edmeades says, “Success in life is measured, most easily, by the number of days that a person is truly happy.”

And when you live in a body you’re happy with and feel great in, you can ultimately be yourself and embrace the authentic you that you were always meant to be.