Know Your Genetics to Put Your Best Beach Body on the Sand
Posted on April 28th, 2008 by John Fit under Be Positive!, Cardio, Fitness Fats, For the Ladies!, Hollywood Bodies, How To Get Lean, I Want Abs, Muscle Gain, Nutrition, Self-ImprovementNew here? Sign up for my fitness tips by Email Click Here to Sign Up! Don't forget to also visit our discount supplements Go Now!
Ahhh.. Life is good.. Myself along with a few friends, just returned last night to Sarasota from a relaxing weekend escape to the Bahamas.. We checked out the surf, enjoyed Bahamian night life, & met some great people.. For the past 6 weeks, I’ve pressed very hard to meet a number of my business & fitness goals, & its really paid off.. My body is lean & beach ready, & a couple of my business ventures have exploded with production. So, I rewarded myself with this little “no worries, “mon” vacation treat, and I’m looking forward to the next one.. While I was gone, I got a chance to think about you & your fitness.. I got really creative while laying on their beaches, so I’m really looking forward to a number of the upcoming posts I’m gonna deliver.
I noticed some lean attractive bodies while out of the country, but its interesting how many unique body types there are in need of different sculpting strategies.. Its important for you not to “work against your genetics” because that could lead to body fat retention or underdevelopment of dense muscle.. I want to lay out the different genetic shapes & give you areas of focus to give you a Lean and Toned Beach Body worthy of Hollywood sex appeal.. The goal is to move away from being a “black & white” body type, & create more of a blend giving you what your genetics are missing..
Ectomorph
The Movie “Fight Club” was swarmed with Ectomorph bodies.. Brad Pitt, Jared Leto, Ed Norton all have fragile & delicate frames that appear to be lightly muscled with definition.. Usually you’ll see narrow shoulders, small bones, thin wrists, skinny legs, and a hyper-fast metabolism here with this group.. Ectomorphs look great in Hollywood films because the camera adds roughly 10lbs (& 2 inches of height), & lean with a little muscle tone is a great look that fits well in clothes and shows off definition.. However, just because your ecto, doesn’t necessarily mean your lean..
Fit Tips for Ectomorphs..
An ectomorph wants to focus on forming that “V” from Shoulders to Waist.. Put emphasis on developing the Shoulders, Back, Upper legs, & Butt to give you added shape for sex appeal. You want to use heavy weights to create density & size, while keeping cardio to a minimum.. Add a little muscle to your frame because the tendency is for your body to resort to skinny, dissolving muscle tissue. You also need a little more good fat in your diet.. Try making 30% of your calories based from fitness fats..
What to Look Forward To With Hard Work..
When an ectomorph adds nice lean muscle to their frame, you’ll see a Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby shape), Brad Pitt (Troy) & Ed Norton (American History X) type result.. These ectomorphs blended their lean genetics with the muscle-building traits of a mesomorph, and the result turned out great for their Leading “Hero” Roles! Notice in those films, Pitt and Ed Norton added muscle without adding body fat.. This is the beauty of an ectomorphic shape.. You can add a little size without taking on lots of body fat, with the correct diet & workout routine.. A little “Meso” in your “Ecto” is a good thing..

Mesomorph
The Mesomorph has the best foundation for building muscle, as seen with Sly above.. Don’t go overboard though, because you will swell up quickly from little work in the weight room.. Mesomorphs are typically athletically built with hard bodies, bigger boned than an ectomorph, but have to work harder to trim the waistline. Most fat on this body type is stored around the midsection.. Women want to accentuate their genetic hour glass shape here, and men should focus on trimming the waist line creating a Tapered Look..
Fit Tips for Mesomorphs..
Focusing on shape and definition to your muscles will be the primary goal.. Cardio here is really important
and should be performed regularly.. Alternate between heavy and light days to keep muscle tissue tight and dense, while burning calories to lean up.. Your body will quickly react to anything, so choose carefully what you focus on.. Cardio is where I focus most of my attention as a mesomorph because I grow really quick & don’t want to be overdone with obnoxious bulky muscle..
What To Look Forward Too..
Don’t go overboard in the gym with the weights.. I love Rocky and when “Eye of the Tiger” is blasting in my IPOD, I feel like I could even whip Evan Drago’s butt.. But, Stallone was pretty thick there from the weights and his frame was overbuilt with muscle in my opinion.. Slender with tight lean muscle from a lot of cardio and focused dieting strategies will swing a mesomorph into many Ecto features showing off definition, slim waist, & a long & lean appearance.. This is a very attractive shape that most models have acheived.. Jennifer Garner is the protypical lean mesomorph (making her look more like an ectomorph)

Endomorph
(Did You Even Realize There’s Another Picture Besides Kim Kardashian? I’ll Bet Not..) The Endomorph is what you see on the front line of any NFL team.. However, I do see more women than men having this body type.. Most men that appear to be Endomorphs, are typically just overweight Mesomorphs.. This body contains highly densed-bone and is round in shape.. This body type will probably never see the day it has a 30inch waist (For Men), or a size 4 (For Women), but that’s ok.. You’re curvy and sexy when toned appropriately.. Hollywood and professional athletics, reward these types of bodies with highly paid roles, when you can tone and use this body efficiently..
Fit Tips for Endomorphs..
The goal for this body type is to create shape, and get away from looking the pear shape.. Light Weights with as much cardio as you can take will tighten and shape this physique. The thought behind the light weight lifting is, even when you’re lifting weights outside of cardio, you need to be burning calories and make the workout as aerobic as possible. Diet, Diet, Diet, Diet.. 99% of your carbs need to be fiber-rich.. (If I were built like an Endomorph, I would probably eat so many
vegetables that I would turn into a rabbit..) When your body tones up and bodyfat drops you, you will appear more mesomorph and your curves and density will then give you a sexy powerful look (Endomorphs have a strong presence that garners respect when they enter a room.. Great genetic to have).. The best way to create this is cardio everyday, eat high fiber carbs only, and do more cardio..
What to Look Forward to..
Jennifer Lopez & Kim Kardashian! (Enough said huh..) These two endomorphic bodies will never shrink to 110lbs, (& if they did they’d look sickly ill), but their shape is so attractive, healthy and toned, men can’t stop starring.. An endomorph can get toned! A good example of a male endomorph, would be any NFL Lineman.. I’ve seen a number of these guys lose weight, lean up, and actually get moved to Defensive Ends and Middle Linebackers.. Their bodies become more functional and adaptable to uses in genetic strength when they train to become more mesmorphic.. Plus, their bodies are more attractive looking and aesthetically pleasing..
You’ve probably heard this info time and time again if you research fitness and body types.. But I see so many people looking to tighten their bodies up, and their working out against their own genetics.. I see skinny ectomorphs pounding the treadmill, and thick endomorphs power lifting & resting 4 minutes between sets.. If you can work to blend your body type with the closest “leanest” type, you will sculpt your body into a more attractive shape..
I’ve had an overwhelming response to all of you, and I love the interactions we’re having.. I’m going to start posting some of the pics and stories of the guys and gals, working hard, staying discipline, & showing progress from my programs.. So keep me in the loop with your progress.. In the meantime, get to know your body type before designing your program, so you can use your genetics to your advantage and shape up the lagging features..
John Fit (Stop Looking at the picture of Kim, and Start Thinking About Your New Program.. :))



April 29th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Great article… I think I’m having issues with losing the gut. I can get my upper body, meaning arms and shoulders/chest pumped up but my belly is tough to lose.
You’re suggesting I do lighter weights and more cardio?
April 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Dennis,
I would suggest cardio, cardio, cardio.. When you’re hitting the weights, the high reps will keep the workout more aerobic, than going heavy like a strength trainer.. Your focus should be on fat burn and lighting your metabolism.. Sounds like putting on muscle isn’t something is too much of a problem, but the retention of body fat is the issue.. Cardio, aerobic weight training to pick your heart rate up, and diet will slice that fat.. It does take time & discipline, but this is the way it happens.. I will be writing on dieting basics for fat loss soon.. Keep an eye out for that, as it is the biggest piece of this puzzle.. We’ll stay in touch..
John Fit..
April 30th, 2008 at 6:10 am
I feel like I have a mix between the endomorph and the mesomorph. I’m a bigger guy who can easily put muscle mass on. I struggle with shedding the pounds thou
April 30th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Alan,
Most guys do fall in this category, but I don’t want you to look at it like its a negative thing.. Struggling to put on muscle is really tough for alot of guys, but since you do that well, focusing on a clean diet and alot of cardio will shed that fat.. I’m finding that most men & women are stuggling with their diet in the fat burning process.. Am I eating too much? Am I eating too little? Am I eating enough carbs or too many carbs? These are the fundamental diet hurdles most people are facing.. Thanks for spending time with me! I’ll be attacking the diet issue hard over the next few weeks..
John Fit..
April 30th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
John,
I”m a little on the endomorph side and want to lose weight.. I’ve always been able to build muscle (I’m a girl and don’t want to get bulky) but losing fat has always been my problem.. I like this article.. Looks like I need to focus on more cardio.. Thanks John! I love your site..
April 30th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I have to admit, I don’t even know which type I am. I am guessing mesomorph.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Mary,
Focusing on cardio will burn those calories and that’s what you’re looking for.. Burn calories and speed up your metabolism.. You’ve got the right idea!
John,
Most men are mesomorph.. If you’re holding a big more bodyfat, and have a wrist size over 6 inches, you’re at least a mesomorph..
John Fit.. (Watching Hillary Battle it Out on Fox News.. Impressive & Gutsy)
April 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I am not sure which I am but like this. I never knew about the genetics and working for our best body. It seems there is so much to learn in actually getting my body where I want it. I am going to print this out and read it again. Great post.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:59 am
“If you’re holding a big more bodyfat, and have a wrist size over 6 inches, you’re at least a mesomorph..”
My wrist measures in a 7 1/4 inches.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:43 am
John Fit… You’re a stud! Keep up the good work my man.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Heidi,
Most women are a mesomorph, unless you have a really tough time gaining weight and have been extremely skinny your whole life.. I’ve noticed many women are endomorphs as well, as a womans body is designed to retain a bit more bodyfat (this makes it even tougher for the ladies to be an ectomorph..) Unless you’re overweight (and I’ve seen your beautiful picture on your website, which I’m a huge of, and you don’t seem to have a weight problem) then you are probably a meso.. Again, more men seem to struggle to define what they are as they fall in the grey area.. Thanks for hanging out with me today!
John,
Your wrist measurment is a nice barometer of your genetic body type.. @ 7 1/4 inches, you’re almost definitely a mesomorph, if not a little endo as well.. If you’ve ever had a weight loss problem or stored access amounts of bodyfat easily, then you may be a little endo as well.. The good news is, once you define that, you can control your weight with the right program.. Thanks for stopping by.. let me know if I can do anything to help..
Ron Ripple,
Thanks for shout-out my friend! Hope that cardio is going well..
John Fit.. (Lovin the feedback..)
May 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Thanks for letting me know John! That really helps me out! I’m always learning so thank you!
May 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Heidi,
No problem Heidi! I”m always here to help.. Let me know if you have further questions..
John Fit..
May 12th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Great article! I always wondered what type of body I have. I think I am in between a mesomorph and an endomorph, but probably closer to endomorph as I am overweight. I always wanted the “model” look, slim yet toned, I am 5′11 so i feel short, and so wanted to lose weight to look taller. I just can’t seem to be able to get rid of the gut! I am only 20, and I’m worried that if i cant get rid of it now it’ll only get worse with age! I wudn’t say I was obese, but definately overweight. Alot of people cant see it, because I have quite a large frame, which i guess is good, but I would never walk around or go to the beach because I’m not confident enough to take my top off. I also worry about working out because i dont wannna become too muscular!! I find it hard to stick to diets cause i always go hardcore and try to cut everything out!! Iv kinda worked out from ur site that i need to do cardio! Do you have any suggestions as to what type of exercise I should do? Thanks, Great Site btw
May 13th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
[…] the surf, enjoyed Bahamian night life, & met some great people.. For the past 6 weeks, I??ve phttp://www.johnfit.com/2008/04/know-your-genetics-body-type-to-carve-out-your-best-beach-body/different body types - ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph - diet and …Free information about the 3 […]
May 31st, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hey, firstly great article I was just wondering if I could get a suggestion. I’ve been weight training and genetically I’m more of an ectomorph but I’ve noticed that as I’ve continued with weights though I’m gaining alot of muscle its looking quite dense and not really very lean and toned I’m wondering what you would suggest to like gain more muscle but give it a more lean look.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Omar,
This site is all about what you’re looking for.. I would suggest reading through some of my articles, specifically (Carbohydrates - MUST Eats For a Lean & Toned Physique!, Rep Range for Building Lean, & Toned Muscle, & Gain Lean & Toned Muscle “Only” Plan without Bulking.. Perfect For the Skinny Guys).. These articles all address what you’re looking for and give you a little advice on how to get it.. I hope you are well and keep checking back with me and my site.. All my articles are about getting lean and cut muscle without having to bulk to get it..
Thanks for checking my stuff out! I’ll talk to you again soon..
John Fit..
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I am a female with more of the ruler type figure and I would love to achieve more curves. 5′4” 114 pounds. I will obviously never look like Kim, but I would like to bulk up my thighs. Any suggestions? I have been hitting the stair stepper lately and I have noticed a small difference.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
im an ectomorph , pretty thin and called anorexic often,but im not , thats the thing , can you give me a routine to gain weight ? i really want to look healthier , i eat all the time , but nothing seems to make me gain …
July 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
John Fit,
I am an ectomorph pretty much and I have trouble putting on muscle mass. Everytime I try to lift heavy, my tendons scream in pain. What should I do? My friends say I have tendonitis and that I should rest them for about a month. But if I do that, my muscle mass will shrink and I’ll be even scrawnier than before! Help! Thanks in advance……
Mio