Understanding Body Types

Ever wondered why some people seem to eat everything in sight without gaining an ounce, while you only have to think about cake to feel your jeans tighten? Spoiler alert: it’s not magic—it’s likely in their genes. Let’s dive into the world of somatotypes (aka body types) and see how they might be influencing your fitness or pole journey.

The Three Body Types: What’s Your Somatotype?

There are three main body types, known as somatotypes, and each comes with its own characteristics. Most of us are a blend of two, so there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to pole training (or anything else, really).Here’s a quick rundown of each type:

1. Ectomorphs: Think tall, skinny, and struggles to bulk up. Ectomorphs have narrow hips and shoulders, a fast metabolism, and can eat like a vacuum cleaner without seeing much change on the scale. They’re usually more flexible and excel at endurance sports. However, if you’re an ectomorph looking to build muscle, you might need to eat more, reduce cardio, and focus on high-volume training.
2. Mesomorphs: These folks have an athletic, muscular build with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Mesomorphs gain and lose both muscle and fat relatively easily. They respond well to almost any type of training but need to watch out for overtraining. Their Achilles’ heel? Flexibility. So if you’re a mesomorph, you might need to work on flexibility to balance your strength.
3. Endomorphs: If you’re more on the round side with a tendency to gain both muscle and fat, you might be an endomorph. Endomorphs have a slower metabolism, making fat loss a bit more challenging, but don’t let that get you down—endos are powerhouses when it comes to strength, making them shine in strongman-style competitions. For the pole, you’ll want to mix up your routine with cardio and resistance training, and keep a close eye on your diet.

Your Body Type: A Guide, Not a Limit

Let’s not sugarcoat it—mesomorphs often seem to have the best of both worlds with their easy muscle gains and fat loss, but it’s important to remember that no body type is superior—just different. Your body type isn’t a barrier to reaching your goals; it’s more like a roadmap that can help guide your training and nutrition strategies.

Instead of staring wistfully at that pole dance buddy who makes everything look effortless, focus on what makes you a rockstar. If you’re an ectomorph craving more muscle, fuel up with calorie-dense goodies, ease up on the cardio, and smash out those reps. If you’re an endomorph, a smart mix of cardio, strength training, and mindful eating will keep you on track.

Embrace Your Body Type

Knowing your somatotype can be a game-changer for your pole dancing routine. But remember—it’s an explanation, not an excuse. Embrace your unique body type, work with it, and let it guide you to pole greatness. Identify your strengths, tackle your weaknesses, and above all, enjoy the process.

Share your body type and goals in the comments below! And if you’re looking for personalised training tips tailored to your somatotype, drop us a message to see how Polisthenics can help you achieve your pole goals. Don’t forget to follow us for all the latest pole fitness tips and tricks.