Female body types are often compared to fruits. This common objectification reveals harmful stereotypes about women’s bodies because they aren’t objects of consumption.
Being born in a female vessel makes you unique as you are beyond comparison and classification. Nonetheless, knowing your body type can help you understand your strengths and tendencies to unlock its full potential. And most importantly, build a healthy relationship with your body.
How many female body types are there?
The most classical approach to female body types distinguishes three body types, also known as somatotypes—ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs.
There are also five basic female body shapes: rectangle, triangle, athletic, inverted triangle, and hourglass.
Another popular classification was introduced by David Kibbe in his book Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can, called “the Kibbe body types.”
His system is based on the five basic body shapes and expanded to the 10-image-based body types. It revolves around the attributes of yin and yang—curving or angular. Depending on how contrasted or blended they are, you will find your body type.
What are the different female body types?
Without a doubt, females fall into one of three categories: ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs. According to Eric Edmeades, founder of WILDFIT® and trainer of Mindvalley’s WILDFIT Quest, each body type has its own unique nutritional needs, and different types of exercise work better for different body types.
“Once you understand your body type, you can make changes to your diet and exercise routine to achieve optimal health and fitness,” he adds.
Let’s look at the three female somatotypes and their main characteristics:
1. Ectomorphs
Female ectomorphs are lean, with a delicate bone structure and fast metabolism. It makes it hard for them to gain weight or muscle mass.
They typically have the following characteristics:
- Slim and lean build with little body fat,
- Smaller bone structure, including narrow hips and small shoulders,
- Fast metabolism,
- A flat chest and small breasts, and
- Delicate and slender appearance.
Female ectos often excel in endurance activities such as running, cycling, and swimming due to their high tolerance for physical training.
Here are some examples of female celebrities who have been classified as ectomorphs:
- Victoria Beckham
- Kate Moss
- Natalie Portman
- Keira Knightley
- Mila Kunis
- Emma Watson
- Lucy Liu
- Selena Gomez
2. Mesomorphs
Female mesomorphs have a balanced and athletic build. This type is also known as an athletic one thanks to mesomorph’s tendency to gain muscle easily and maintain a healthy weight.
They typically have the following characteristics:
- Athletic and toned build,
- Medium-sized bone structure, with a proportionate and well-defined waist,
- A moderate metabolism,
- Well-defined muscles, and
- A naturally curvy figure.
If you have this body type, you can gain and lose weight more easily than ectomorphs or endomorphs. On top of that, you can handle high-intensity and endurance activities.
Here are some examples of female celebrities who have been classified as mesomorphs:
- Jennifer Aniston
- Halle Berry
- Cameron Diaz
- Angelina Jolie
- Scarlett Johansson
- Demi Moore
- Taylor Swift
- Jennifer Lawrence
3. Endomorphs
Female endomorphs often have a wider lower body and narrow shoulders. In general, they have a larger bone structure and a rounder face. Endomorphs may find it more difficult to lose weight and build muscle mass compared to other body types.
They typically have the following characteristics:
- A rounder body shape with a larger waist-to-hip ratio,
- A slower metabolism,
- A higher body fat percentage,
- A curvy figure, and
- Greater insulin sensitivity which can lead to a higher risk of diabetes and metabolic diseases.
With the given tendencies, endomorphs are more responsive to resistance training than cardio.
Here are some examples of female celebrities who have been classified as endomorphs:
- Adele
- Christina Aguilera
- Kelly Clarkson
- Jennifer Hudson
- Meghan Trainor
- Kim Kardashian
- Beyoncé
- Jennifer Lopez
- Melissa McCarthy
How do you identify your body type?
There are several ways to identify your body type. The easiest way is to look at your physical characteristics such as body shape and composition by taking this simple body type quiz. You can also compare your body type with the typical characteristics of each body type.
Here are some other methods to identify your body type:
- Measure your body. Take measurements of your waist, hips, and thighs. This will give you an idea of your body shape and composition.
- Look at your body fat percentage. This can be determined through a variety of methods, such as skinfold measurements, bioelectrical impedance, or DEXA scan. This will give you an idea of how much body fat you have and where it is distributed.
- Look at your muscle mass. Look at your muscle definition and the size of your bones to find out your muscle-to-fat ratio and overall muscle mass.
- Examine your metabolism. Pay attention to how your body reacts to food and exercise. Do you have a fast or slow metabolism? Do you find it easy or difficult to lose weight?
- Look at your body shape. Stand in front of a mirror and examine your body shape. Are you an apple shape, pear shape, or hourglass shape?
Most importantly, your body is unique, and knowing your body type gives you insights into your uniqueness.
Learn more: 7 Female Archetypes: Discover Yours to Unleash Your Inner Strength
Is it possible to change your body type over time?
Yes, it is possible to change your body type over time through a combination of diet and exercise. However, women with the same body type may respond differently to diet and training.
For example, female endomorphs may find it more difficult to lose weight and build muscle mass compared to female ectomorphs. However, with consistent effort and a proper diet and training routine, endomorphs can reduce their body fat and increase their muscle mass, making their body appear more like a mesomorph.
Female ectomorphs can gain muscle mass and become more mesomorph through resistance training and a proper diet.
Additionally, according to Eric, body types are influenced by both genetics and lifestyle choices. While you can change your physique by changing the latter, changing features such as bone structure or muscle-to-fat ratio may not be doable.
It’s important to remember that changing your body type is not a quick process and it may take time and effort to see results. It’s also important to have realistic expectations and to focus on overall health and fitness rather than trying to change your body type to fit a certain mold.
Ronan Diego, Mindvalley’s head of health and fitness and trainer of Mindvalley’s 10X Quest, explains that when it comes to body transformation, once you give your body what it needs, the force of nature itself will flow through it and transform it.
Building relationships with your body
Most people associate themselves with their bodies. But you aren’t your body, and your body type doesn’t determine your level of health and fitness.
As Ronan puts it, your body has its consciousness, and it gives you the possibility to experience this world. And if you want to experience it to the fullest, it’s crucial to build a healthy relationship with your body intentionally to develop it to the best of its abilities, while honoring its limitations and boundaries.
In other words, if you want to transform your body, you need to transform your relationship with it.
If you need guidance, you can turn to Mindvalley. You’ll find various topics that can help cultivate an outstanding connection with your physical vessel. From learning how to change your food habits with Eric Edmeades to getting 10x fitter and stronger with Ronan Diego.
What’s more, when you sign up for a Mindvalley account, you can be part of the live audience of interviews on The Mindvalley Podcast with thought leaders and experts in all the different aspects of personal growth.
Above all, you will learn how to love and accept yourself as you are, beyond body types and other standards.
Welcome in.
