{"id":16154,"date":"2021-01-21T23:14:45","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T23:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=16154"},"modified":"2025-02-26T17:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T17:21:46","slug":"athletic-body-type","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s an Athletic Body Type?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#What_Is_an_Athletic_Body_Type\" >What Is an Athletic Body Type?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Understanding_the_Three_Body_Types\" >Understanding the Three Body Types<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#The_Role_of_Genetics\" >The Role of Genetics<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#What_Is_the_Difference_Between_a_Slim_and_an_Athletic_Body\" >What Is the Difference Between a Slim and an Athletic Body?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Benefits_of_an_Athletic_Body_for_Training\" >Benefits of an Athletic Body for Training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Training_for_Your_Athletic_Body_Type\" >Training for Your Athletic Body Type<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#1_Strength_Training\" >1. Strength Training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#2_High-Intensity_Interval_Training_HIIT\" >2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#3_Sport-Specific_Training\" >3. Sport-Specific Training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#4_Flexibility_and_Mobility\" >4. Flexibility and Mobility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#5_Recovery_Workouts\" >5. Recovery Workouts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#The_Role_of_Diet_in_Athletic_Training\" >The Role of Diet in Athletic Training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Recovery_for_Athletic_Performance\" >Recovery for Athletic Performance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Am_I_fit_or_athletic\" >Am I fit or athletic?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Is_an_athletic_body_good\" >Is an athletic body good?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#How_can_you_tell_if_youre_naturally_athletic\" >How can you tell if you&#8217;re naturally athletic?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#Is_an_athletic_physique_attractive\" >Is an athletic physique attractive?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fuss around somatotypes persists. Mesomorph, endomorph, and ectomorph &#8211; these words are often used to classify body types. The origin of these classifications can be traced back to the 1940s when American psychologist William Sheldon proposed a theory that linked body shape and personality (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sheldon&#8217;s somatotype theory was widely criticized due to its lack of scientific evidence and has been largely discredited today. However, there is some truth to the link between athletic body types and physical abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s what we know about athletic body types, whether you have one, and how to train for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_an_Athletic_Body_Type\"><\/span><b>What Is an Athletic Body Type?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to this theory, individuals with athletic or mesomorphic body types are characterized by muscularity, broad shoulders, narrow waists, and low body fat levels (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are often described as having an &#8220;hourglass&#8221; figure for women or a &#8220;V-shaped&#8221; torso for men. Athletic body types are known for their ability to easily gain muscle mass and excel in sports that require strength, power, and speed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While not everyone falls into strictly defined categories of somatotypes, most people have a dominant body type that falls somewhere on the spectrum of ectomorph to endomorph.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_the_Three_Body_Types\"><\/span><b>Understanding the Three Body Types<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per Sheldon&#8217;s theory, there are three distinct somatotypes &#8211; mesomorphs, endomorphs, and ectomorphs. Let&#8217;s take a closer look at each of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Mesomorphs<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mesomorphs are characterized by a muscular and an athletic build body type. They have broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and well-defined muscles (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/mesomorph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Mesomorphs are often considered to be the ideal body type for sports such as weightlifting, sprinting, and power-based activities (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9565222\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some famous mesomorph athletes include Usain Bolt &#8211; world record holder in 100m and 200m sprints, Arnold Schwarzenegger &#8211; seven-time Mr. Olympia winner in bodybuilding, and Serena Williams &#8211; one of the greatest tennis players of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Endomorphs<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/metabolic-confusion-for-endomorphs\/\">Endomorphs<\/a> typically have a higher body fat percentage than mesomorphs and ectomorphs. They have a rounder physique with a higher propensity to store fat. Endomorphs are often considered better suited for endurance sports such as long-distance running, swimming, and cycling (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/16\/10\/1493\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Famous endomorph athletes include Mo Farah &#8211; four-time Olympic gold medalist in distance running, Michael Phelps &#8211; most decorated Olympian of all time in swimming, and Chris Froome &#8211; four-time Tour de France winner in cycling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe: Health Coaching app helps you achieve your body goals with ease and efficiency by helping to choose proper meal plans and effective workouts. Start using our app and you will <a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">see good results in a short time.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Ectomorphs<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/ectomorph-workout\/\">Ectomorphs<\/a> have a thinner frame with low body fat and limited muscle mass. They often struggle to gain weight and build muscle (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/marathon.ase.ro\/pdf\/vol8\/florescu.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Ectomorphs are better suited for sports that require speed, agility, and flexibility such as gymnastics, dance, and martial arts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Famous ectomorph athletes include Simone Biles &#8211; four-time Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics, Michael Jordan &#8211; widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, and Bruce Lee &#8211; legendary martial artist and actor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-71010\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/533-2300-calorie-meal-plan-1024x640.png\" alt=\"Athletic Body Type \" width=\"770\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/533-2300-calorie-meal-plan.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/533-2300-calorie-meal-plan-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/533-2300-calorie-meal-plan.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/533-2300-calorie-meal-plan-1472x920.png 1472w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/533-2300-calorie-meal-plan.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Role_of_Genetics\"><\/span><b>The Role of Genetics<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While somatotypes may not be entirely accurate in categorizing body types, genetics play a significant role in determining an individual&#8217;s physical abilities. Factors such as muscle fiber composition, bone structure, and metabolic rate can affect athletic performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research has shown that certain genetic variations can play a role in determining an individual&#8217;s muscle fiber type composition (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.physiology.org\/doi\/full\/10.1152\/japplphysiol.00953.2017\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). People with more fast-twitch muscle fibers tend to have an easier time building muscle mass and are better suited for explosive movements such as sprinting or weightlifting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, individuals with more slow-twitch muscle fibers are better at endurance activities such as distance running or cycling. However, genetics aren\u2019t the only determining factor in athletic ability.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Difference_Between_a_Slim_and_an_Athletic_Body\"><\/span><b>What Is the Difference Between a Slim and an Athletic Body?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with a slim body type typically have a lean, thin frame. They tend to have narrow shoulders, long limbs, and very low levels of both muscle and body fat. Their physique often appears delicate or &#8220;light&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slim individuals generally have less muscle mass. Gaining muscle can sometimes be challenging due to lower levels of body fat and muscle-building hormones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those with an athletic body type are more muscular and well-defined. They tend to have broader shoulders, a narrow waist, and visible muscle tone. This type often gives the impression of strength and power. People with athletic bodies usually engage in regular physical activity, which contributes to their muscular build.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not everyone will fit into these two categories neatly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a curvy athletic body type may have a naturally higher body fat percentage but still maintain a muscular build. Similarly, someone with a slim body type may engage in regular strength training and have visible muscle definition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reasons why BetterMe is a safe bet: a wide range of calorie-blasting workouts, finger-licking recipes, 24\/7 support, challenges that\u2019ll keep you on your best game, and that just scratches the surface! <a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Start using our app <\/a>and watch the magic happen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benefits_of_an_Athletic_Body_for_Training\"><\/span><b>Benefits of an Athletic Body for Training<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The advantages of having an athletic body type extend beyond physical appearance. Here are some key benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Speedy Strength Gains:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Athletic individuals tend to respond well to weight training, with noticeable muscle growth in a shorter time frame.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Versatility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Thanks to a blend of muscle fibers, athletic body types adapt well to different kinds of physical activities, which makes it easier to excel in both cardio and strength-based exercises.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Efficient Recovery:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> People with athletic builds often recover faster from intense workouts, which allows for more frequent training sessions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Natural Power:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Explosive power and greater overall strength mean that high-impact sports and demanding exercise regimens can be truly rewarding.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While these benefits offer a great starting point, achieving the best results will still depend on how you train.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/b-vitamins-for-weight-loss\/\">Can B Vitamins Help with Weight Loss?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Training_for_Your_Athletic_Body_Type\"><\/span><b>Training for Your Athletic Body Type<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While genetics may play a role, this doesn&#8217;t mean that individuals cannot train and improve their physical abilities. With proper training and nutrition, anyone can reach their full potential regardless of their body type.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Strength_Training\"><\/span><b>1. Strength Training<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Athletic bodies excel with resistance training. Include a mix of compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups to target multiple muscle groups at once. These athletic body type exercises enhance both strength and muscle definition (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefitness.org\/resources\/pros\/expert-articles\/5811\/5-benefits-of-compound-exercises\/?srsltid=AfmBOop0P1_9dTSOtno3HI6IPnIph2W5EHlnTwDBRRTGlvkVLG3EKPhd\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Focus on Progressive Overload<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Gradually increase the weight or intensity of your workouts to continue building muscle and improving strength (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4215195\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mix It Up<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Incorporate free weights, machines, and body weight exercises to keep your muscles guessing and ensure balanced development (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0226989\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_High-Intensity_Interval_Training_HIIT\"><\/span><b>2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/calisthenics-vs-hiit\/\">HIIT<\/a> workouts are an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness while maintaining muscle tone (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/13\/7201\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Alternate short bursts of high effort (e.g. sprints or burpees) with brief rest periods for a session that boosts endurance and burns calories efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Sport-Specific_Training\"><\/span><b>3. Sport-Specific Training<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re aiming to improve in a particular sport, you need to tailor your workouts to its demands. For example, include agility drills for basketball, explosive jumps for volleyball, or sprint intervals for soccer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We&#8217;ve created a comprehensive <\/span><b>Athlete Workout Plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that is designed to boost performance, build strength, and enhance endurance, which will help you reach your peak potential.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Flexibility_and_Mobility\"><\/span><b>4. Flexibility and Mobility<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While athletic builds are naturally built for power, flexibility can sometimes take a back seat. Include yoga or dynamic stretch routines in your schedule to improve your range of motion and prevent injuries (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.psu.edu\/kinescfw\/health-education\/exercise-articles\/the-importance-of-flexibility-and-mobility\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Recovery_Workouts\"><\/span><b>5. Recovery Workouts<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t overlook the importance of active recovery. Activities such as a gentle swim, light jogging, or foam-rolling sessions can improve blood circulation and help reduce post-workout soreness (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29742750\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which keeps you ready for your next training day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s nothing like incorporating yoga into your routine to enhance performance, speed up recovery, and boost overall well-being. In our blog post <\/span><b>Yoga For Athletes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll discover tailored poses that help build strength and increase flexibility while giving you the ultimate recovery edge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-70513\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/497-what-causes-armpit-fat-1024x640.png\" alt=\"Athletic Body Type \" width=\"770\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/497-what-causes-armpit-fat.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/497-what-causes-armpit-fat-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/497-what-causes-armpit-fat.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/497-what-causes-armpit-fat-1472x920.png 1472w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/497-what-causes-armpit-fat.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Role_of_Diet_in_Athletic_Training\"><\/span><b>The Role of Diet in Athletic Training<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No training plan is complete without proper nutrition. Athletes with naturally muscular builds require sufficient fuel to power through their workouts and recover effectively (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dovepress.com\/role-of-nutrition-in-performance-enhancement-and-postexercise-recovery-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OAJSM\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prioritize Protein<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/low-calorie-high-protein-foods-for-weight-loss\/\">Protein<\/a> is essential for muscle repair and growth. Incorporate lean options such as chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, and legumes into your meals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Healthy Carbs for Energy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Don&#8217;t shy away from complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and whole grains &#8211; they\u2019re essential for sustained energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Include Healthy Fats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil help support joint health and provide long-lasting energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stay Hydrated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Water is crucial for maintaining performance during workouts and helping with recovery afterward. Consider hydrating with electrolyte-rich drinks after particularly intense sessions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, what you eat should align with your goals. For bulking up, slightly increase your calorie intake. For becoming leaner, focus on portion control with the same nutrient-rich foods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read more:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/lazy-way-to-lose-weight\/\"> Lazy Ways to Lose Weight: A Discussion for the Busy Folks<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recovery_for_Athletic_Performance\"><\/span><b>Recovery for Athletic Performance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Athletic body types may recover faster than others, but they need adequate rest and recovery time to avoid burnout (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/news\/the_importance_of_rest_and_recovery_for_athletes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Here&#8217;s how to optimize recovery:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sleep<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Aim for 7-9 hours per night to allow your muscles to repair and grow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rest Days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Include at least one full rest day per week. Overtraining can lead to fatigue and even injury.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stretching and Massage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Foam rolling or getting a sports massage can help loosen tight muscles and relieve tension.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Listen to Your Body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: If you feel unusually sore or fatigued, it may be time to dial down your intensity or take an extra day to rest.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-71011\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/532-macros-for-weight-loss-and-muscle-gain-1024x640.png\" alt=\"Athletic Body Type \" width=\"770\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/532-macros-for-weight-loss-and-muscle-gain.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/532-macros-for-weight-loss-and-muscle-gain-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/532-macros-for-weight-loss-and-muscle-gain.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/532-macros-for-weight-loss-and-muscle-gain-1472x920.png 1472w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/532-macros-for-weight-loss-and-muscle-gain.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Am_I_fit_or_athletic\"><\/span><strong>Am I fit or athletic?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being fit and athletic are related, but they\u2019re not the same. Fitness refers to your body&#8217;s ability to perform physical tasks efficiently, covering aspects such as cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and endurance. However, being athletic usually means having natural physical traits such as muscularity, coordination, and agility, together with physical fitness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can be fit without being athletic, as athleticism often includes qualities such as speed and strength that come more naturally to some people. Regular training can help improve fitness and develop athletic tendencies over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_an_athletic_body_good\"><\/span><strong>Is an athletic body good?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, an athletic body is good for many reasons. In addition to aesthetics, it often indicates a balance of strength, endurance, flexibility, and low body fat. Athletic body types are typically well-suited for physical activities that require speed, power, and stamina.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research has shown that having muscle mass supports improved metabolism, better joint support, and overall health, which decreases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0002916523290450\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, any healthy body type is \u201cgood\u201d, as long as it&#8217;s supported by personalized fitness and nutrition habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_you_tell_if_youre_naturally_athletic\"><\/span><strong>How can you tell if you&#8217;re naturally athletic?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be naturally athletic if you have traits such as broad shoulders, a narrow waist, visible muscle tone, or the ability to gain muscle easily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other signs include excelling in physical activities without much practice, having a good sense of balance and coordination, and quick recovery after physical exertion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientific indicators such as a higher percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers (useful for power and speed) also suggest athletic potential, although they may require medical testing to identify.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_an_athletic_physique_attractive\"><\/span><strong>Is an athletic physique attractive?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attractiveness is subjective and varies among individuals and cultures, but athletic physiques are often considered attractive due to their association with health, vitality, and physical capability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies have found that physical traits such as strength, symmetry, and muscle tone are often perceived as appealing as they suggest good genetics and fitness (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2811283\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, individual preferences and broader factors such as confidence, personality, and overall health play significant roles in attractiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Athletic_Body_Type_\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-1.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Athletic body types are characterized by muscularity, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and low body fat levels. These individuals often excel in sports requiring strength, power, and speed due to their natural ability to gain muscle mass and recover efficiently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While genetics play a role, anyone can enhance their physical abilities with proper training, nutrition, and recovery strategies. Embracing a balanced approach to fitness can help maximize the potential of an athletic body type.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fuss around somatotypes persists. Mesomorph, endomorph, and ectomorph &#8211; these words are often used to classify body types. The origin of these classifications can be traced back to the 1940s when American psychologist William Sheldon proposed a theory that linked body shape and personality (1). Sheldon&#8217;s somatotype theory was widely criticized due to its [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":71099,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"coauthors":[114],"class_list":["post-16154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-betterme-fitness"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What&#039;s an Athletic Body Type? - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you obsessed about getting an \u2605 ATHLETIC BODY TYPE \u27a4 check out our recommendations and suggestions on how to get such a body shape.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What&#039;s an Athletic Body Type?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you obsessed about getting an \u2605 ATHLETIC BODY TYPE \u27a4 check out our recommendations and suggestions on how to get such a body shape.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-26T17:21:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type-1024x640.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"R. Mogeni\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"R. Mogeni\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"R. Mogeni\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5980da2d18eeea07d267e07dc01a6778\"},\"headline\":\"What&#8217;s an Athletic Body Type?\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-26T17:21:46+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\"},\"wordCount\":1748,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Fitness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The fuss around somatotypes persists. Mesomorph, endomorph, and ectomorph - these words are often used to classify body types. The origin of these classifications can be traced back to the 1940s when American psychologist William Sheldon proposed a theory that linked body shape and personality (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping.html\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span data-sheets-root=\\\"1\\\"><\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sheldon's somatotype theory was widely criticized due to its lack of scientific evidence and has been largely discredited today. However, there is some truth to the link between athletic body types and physical abilities.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Here's what we know about athletic body types, whether you have one, and how to train for it.<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>What Is an Athletic Body Type?<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">According to this theory, individuals with athletic or mesomorphic body types are characterized by muscularity, broad shoulders, narrow waists, and low body fat levels (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping.html\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">They are often described as having an \\\"hourglass\\\" figure for women or a \\\"V-shaped\\\" torso for men. Athletic body types are known for their ability to easily gain muscle mass and excel in sports that require strength, power, and speed.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While not everyone falls into strictly defined categories of somatotypes, most people have a dominant body type that falls somewhere on the spectrum of ectomorph to endomorph.<\/span>\\r\\n<h3 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>Understanding the Three Body Types<\/b><\/h3>\\r\\n<span style ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\",\"name\":\"What's an Athletic Body Type? - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-26T17:21:46+00:00\",\"description\":\"Are you obsessed about getting an \u2605 ATHLETIC BODY TYPE \u27a4 check out our recommendations and suggestions on how to get such a body shape.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Fitness\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/betterme-fitness\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"What&#8217;s an Athletic Body Type?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/\",\"name\":\"BetterMe Blog\",\"description\":\"Health &amp; Fitness\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\",\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"alternateName\":\"Betterme Limited\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"BetterMe\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/betterme\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/betterme\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/betterme-apps\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bettermetips\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0svgcjc3jSgcryqo83spPQ\",\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@betterme.health.coaching\",\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/betterme-health-coaching\/id1264546236\",\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.gen.workoutme&amp;amp;amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=US\",\"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q114895798\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5980da2d18eeea07d267e07dc01a6778\",\"name\":\"R. Mogeni\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/5eb07007d9859baca0c49456ca184ac8\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rodah_mogeni-150x150.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rodah_mogeni-150x150.png\",\"caption\":\"R. Mogeni\"},\"description\":\"Rodah is a competent and skilful writer with a deep interest in nutrition and healthy living. Her speciality is writing articles that fall under the fitness and weight loss category. Her unparalleled style of writing and ability to explain difficult concepts in simple terms has made her garner much acclaim. Her top priority is creating informative pieces that advocate for or propel individuals towards healthier lifestyles. She believes that health is wealth, which is why she chose fitness and nutrition as her area of expertise. She believes adopting such a lifestyle is easy, as long as you are consistent, hopeful, and disciplined.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/author\/rodahmogeni\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What's an Athletic Body Type? - BetterMe","description":"Are you obsessed about getting an \u2605 ATHLETIC BODY TYPE \u27a4 check out our recommendations and suggestions on how to get such a body shape.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What's an Athletic Body Type?","og_description":"Are you obsessed about getting an \u2605 ATHLETIC BODY TYPE \u27a4 check out our recommendations and suggestions on how to get such a body shape.","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_modified_time":"2025-02-26T17:21:46+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":640,"url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type-1024x640.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"R. Mogeni","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"R. Mogeni","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/"},"author":{"name":"R. Mogeni","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5980da2d18eeea07d267e07dc01a6778"},"headline":"What&#8217;s an Athletic Body Type?","dateModified":"2025-02-26T17:21:46+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/"},"wordCount":1748,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png","articleSection":["Fitness"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fuss around somatotypes persists. Mesomorph, endomorph, and ectomorph - these words are often used to classify body types. The origin of these classifications can be traced back to the 1940s when American psychologist William Sheldon proposed a theory that linked body shape and personality (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sheldon's somatotype theory was widely criticized due to its lack of scientific evidence and has been largely discredited today. However, there is some truth to the link between athletic body types and physical abilities.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here's what we know about athletic body types, whether you have one, and how to train for it.<\/span>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>What Is an Athletic Body Type?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to this theory, individuals with athletic or mesomorphic body types are characterized by muscularity, broad shoulders, narrow waists, and low body fat levels (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are often described as having an \"hourglass\" figure for women or a \"V-shaped\" torso for men. Athletic body types are known for their ability to easily gain muscle mass and excel in sports that require strength, power, and speed.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While not everyone falls into strictly defined categories of somatotypes, most people have a dominant body type that falls somewhere on the spectrum of ectomorph to endomorph.<\/span>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Understanding the Three Body Types<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<span style ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/","name":"What's an Athletic Body Type? - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png","dateModified":"2025-02-26T17:21:46+00:00","description":"Are you obsessed about getting an \u2605 ATHLETIC BODY TYPE \u27a4 check out our recommendations and suggestions on how to get such a body shape.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/524-athletic-body-type.png","width":1920,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/athletic-body-type\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Fitness","item":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/betterme-fitness\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What&#8217;s an Athletic Body Type?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/","name":"BetterMe Blog","description":"Health &amp; Fitness","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization","name":"BetterMe","alternateName":"Betterme Limited","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"BetterMe"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","https:\/\/x.com\/betterme","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/betterme\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/betterme-apps","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bettermetips\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0svgcjc3jSgcryqo83spPQ","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@betterme.health.coaching","https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/betterme-health-coaching\/id1264546236","https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.gen.workoutme&amp;amp;amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=US","https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q114895798"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5980da2d18eeea07d267e07dc01a6778","name":"R. Mogeni","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/5eb07007d9859baca0c49456ca184ac8","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rodah_mogeni-150x150.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rodah_mogeni-150x150.png","caption":"R. Mogeni"},"description":"Rodah is a competent and skilful writer with a deep interest in nutrition and healthy living. Her speciality is writing articles that fall under the fitness and weight loss category. Her unparalleled style of writing and ability to explain difficult concepts in simple terms has made her garner much acclaim. Her top priority is creating informative pieces that advocate for or propel individuals towards healthier lifestyles. She believes that health is wealth, which is why she chose fitness and nutrition as her area of expertise. She believes adopting such a lifestyle is easy, as long as you are consistent, hopeful, and disciplined.","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/author\/rodahmogeni\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16154"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71100,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16154\/revisions\/71100"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16154"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=16154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}