A client made what I first thought was a ludicrous statement . . . 

“Why doesn’t my body look like yours?” 

I was perplexed and asked him to elaborate. I needed to find out what he was really asking. He explained that he had been eavesdropping on my conversation with another trainer. What he didn’t understand was how me and the other trainer were only four pounds apart in weight, but we looked vastly different. 

“I started thinking,” he said. “You and I are close in height, but my physique looks nothing like yours.” 

“You’re not my type.” 

“Uh?” 

“There are three body types, ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. No one is only one type, but a combination. The trainer I was speaking to is a mesomorph and endomorph mix. That individual is muscular, so muscles are easy to put on, but losing fat is a slower and longer process. 

“The ectomorph, mesomorph, which characterizes my body type is an individual where muscle gains are harder to achieve, but fat loss is very easy. Someone thought they were paying me a compliment by saying, ‘you look as if you could lose fat just walking through the gym.’” 

“That wasn’t a compliment?” 

“Why would it be?” 

“I don’t understand.” 

“Perhaps it was meant as such, but I took it as an insult.” 

“Why?” 

“I kicked my A$$ when I’m in the gym. Her compliment made it seem as if I don’t need to work hard to lose fat, which is not true.” 

I went on to explain that he was an ectomorph, endomorph mix. Lanky upper body, with an apple pear shaped lower half. Heavy weights for the lower body, coupled with medium to moderate weights for the upper with higher rep ranges would be ideal. 

“Any fool can move weights,” I told him. “And most do. We need to not only move weights, but the right amount and in the correct range to stimulate muscle growth.” 

I pointed his attention to the other participants in the gym. Most were using too heavy weights, incorrect form because of it, and improper movements as a means of compensating. 

“The other trainer you saw me talking to,” I told him, “Needs to use heavy weights, with rep ranges from 6 to 8 to stimulate muscle growth. I also need to use heavy weights, but the rep ranges are from 8 to 12. Which is why it’s crucial to know your somatotype.” 

He eyed me with great suspicion.  

“So, all of these people have no clue what they’re doing?” 

“Sadly. They believe that lifting heavy weights is the key to growth.” 

“Isn’t it?” 

“To some degree it is, but you must make the muscle work as well to stimulate growth. Knowing your body type and the best rep ranges and weights to use is as equally important.” 

“Am I stuck lifting in one rep range forever?” 

“Some say somatotype is an overrated descriptor, but here is what I’ve found . . . 

B.M.Booth (NASM-CPT)