Snoop Dogg, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, DJ Qualls, Victoria Beckham, and Zoe Saldana—what do these celebrities have in common?
They all have an ectomorph body type.
Despite being labeled as “skinny,” people with this physique have a unique blend of traits that offer some surprising advantages—for health and fitness.
As Ronan Diego, the director of Health Programming at Mindvalley, points out, “My body is unique. It gives me unique challenges. It gives me a unique hero’s journey.”
The thing is, being ectomorphic isn’t about being slim; it’s about using your natural body type to unlock your full potential.
What is an ectomorph body type?
Ectomorphs are one of the three body types, as characterized by psychologist William Sheldon. If you fall into this category, you likely have:
- A thin physique with narrow shoulders and hips.
- Difficulty gaining muscle or weight due to a fast metabolism.
- Low body fat percentage.
This body type is often described as gangly, lanky, slim, slight, and svelte. But don’t be mistaken—ectomorphs can be deceptively strong.
Although building visible muscle can be a challenge, it is possible to develop strength and endurance that belie your slender frame.
The 3 body types
In the 1940s, Sheldon categorized people into somatotypes—three main body types based on physical characteristics. Here’s an overview:
- Ectomorphs have a lean body type, slender and wily. Their bodies are characterized by long limbs and a straight waist, paired with a fast metabolism. This makes it difficult to gain weight or muscle.
- Mesomorphs naturally have a muscular and athletic build. With a balanced metabolism, they’re able to gain or lose weight easier.
- Endomorphs are rounder. Their metabolism is slower, so weight gain is easier, and body fat percentage tends to be higher.
The best way to determine which category you fall into? You can take a body type quiz or just take a look in the mirror. Even though there are some variations, it’s pretty easy to put yourself in one of the three categories.
It’s important to remember, though, that somatotypes are a simplified system. Most people are a mix of these types.
Examples of ectomorphs in real life
So who are some ectomorph body-type celebrities? Here are a few examples, from Hollywood stars to sports icons, to help give you a clearer picture of what being an ectomorph looks like in different lifestyles and careers.
Ectomorph body type: male
Here are some males who are the epitome of the ectomorph body type:
- Usain Bolt (sprinter)
- Novak Djokovic (tennis player)
- Stephen Curry (basketball player)
- Benedict Cumberbatch (actor)
- Adrien Brody (actor)
- Dev Patel (actor)
- Andrew Garfield (actor)
- Ke Huy Quan (actor)
- Bruce Springsteen (musician)
- Mark Zuckerberg (tech entrepreneur)
Ectomorph body type: female
Here’s a list of females who show the diversity and grace of the ectomorph physique:
- Alex Morgan (soccer player)
- Allyson Felix (sprinter)
- Misty Copeland (ballet dancer)
- Zendaya (actress)
- Lupita Nyong’o (actress)
- Nicole Kidman (actress)
- Winnie Harlow (model)
- Florence Welch (musician)
- Alicia Keys (singer)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (politician)
Workout plan for ectomorphs
“The idea that there’s something wrong with the body is not an idea that you have; it’s an idea that is sold to you,” says Ronan at the Supercoach Experience 2023. He points out that if you check out #fitness on Instagram, you’ll see post upon post of people with sculpted abs and fit physiques. “This #fitness makes you think that if my body is not like that, then it’s not fit.”
The reality is, the ectomorph body type needs a specific workout approach to build muscle effectively due to their fast metabolism and naturally lean builds. There’s even research suggesting a connection between body type and strength performance, with mesomorphs having a potential advantage.
This doesn’t mean you, as an ectomorph, can’t achieve your fitness goals. It just means you might need to tailor your approach.
Here are some key exercises and strategies to include in your routine:
- Focus on bodyweight exercises. This includes squats, deadlifts, bench presses, overhead presses, pull-ups, and rows.
- Moderate weights, lower reps. Aim for weights that challenge you for 8–12 repetitions per set. This rep range promotes muscle hypertrophy (growth).
- Rest and recovery. Ectomorphs need sufficient rest to allow their muscles to repair and grow. Aim for 2-3 rest days between workouts for the same muscle group.
- Progressive overload. Gradually increase the weight, sets, or reps over time to keep challenging your muscles and promoting growth.
Remember, consistency is key. Stick to your ectomorph body type workout plan, prioritize proper form, and gradually increase intensity as you progress.
Best diet choices for ectomorphs
Diet plays a crucial role in achieving muscle gain and overall health. Again, your rapid metabolism contributes to your lean frame, so your body requires more calories compared to other body types.
Here are some key choices to consider for an ectomorph body type diet:
- Focus on nutrient-dense foods. Choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Prioritize protein, which is the building block of muscle. Examples include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes.
- Don’t fear healthy fats, like those found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. They provide sustained energy and support hormone production.
- Embrace complex carbohydrates. Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal provide sustained energy for workouts and recovery.
- Snack strategically. Healthy snacks throughout the day can help keep your metabolism fueled and prevent muscle breakdown.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day. Water is crucial for transporting nutrients, regulating body temperature, and aiding in muscle recovery.
With the right nutritional approach, you can effectively fuel your body for muscle gain and improved fitness.
Frequently asked questions
Undoubtedly, such an interesting topic garners curiosity. Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions to help you navigate your human experience as an ectomorph.
What are the challenges of being an ectomorph?
While you might be the envy of those trying every diet under the sun to lose weight, the ectomorph body type does come with its own set of challenges.
- You have difficulty gaining muscle, thanks to your body’s ability to burn calories efficiently. Consuming enough calories becomes a challenge since a surplus is needed for muscle growth. And even if you’re able to, you might see results slower compared to other body types.
- You have lower overall strength since you typically have less muscle mass. This can affect performance in certain activities.
- You may feel self-conscious about appearing too skinny or lacking definition, especially in a culture that often glorifies a more muscular physique.
- You have trouble maintaining weight due to a high appetite driven by your fast metabolism or difficulty consuming enough calories.
- You’re at a higher risk of injuries, especially when starting new exercise routines. This is because muscles offer support and stability to joints…and the ectomorph body type lacks them.
The key is to embrace your body type and leverage its strengths to find activities and fitness goals that you enjoy and excel at.
How can ectomorphs gain muscle?
Gaining muscle as an ectomorph requires a dedicated approach.
Focus on heavy strength training with fewer repetitions. This stimulates muscle growth more effectively for your body type. Incorporate a protein-rich diet to support muscle repair and growth.
Also, don’t forget to give your body enough rest and recovery time. Muscle growth happens during rest periods, so make sure you’re not overtraining.
How can ectomorphs gain weight?
When it comes to the ectomorph body type, the main focus is how to gain weight. As Ronan highlights, it’s not about forcing the body to become something it’s not. Rather, it’s about creating harmony around the body.
The thing is, you need a balanced approach that combines the right diet with strength training.
Fill your diet with proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Eating multiple small meals throughout the day can help you increase your calorie intake without feeling overly full. Supplementing your diet with protein shakes or weight-gainer supplements might also be beneficial.
Also, remember, gaining weight healthily takes time. So be patient and persistent with your efforts.
Live vibrantly, naturally
As an ectomorph himself, Ronan is a prime example that you, too, can build a body that goes beyond “skinny.”
His science-backed program can help for just 15 minutes, twice a week. It’s called 10x Fitness, where you’ll learn how to ditch long gym sessions, build muscle efficiently, and achieve your dream physique with minimal time commitment. Much like a Mindvalley member, Monique Schuldt:
“Only after starting to work out with Lorenzo Delano and Ronan Diego de Oliveira and following their 10X methodology, I started seeing results—quickly.
My body weight remained at 50kg. But I replaced fat with muscle mass. And this is now the physique I feel comfortable with.”
Sign up for the free Masterclass and go from skinny to sculpted.
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