your body plan
{ know your body type }
Somatotypes categorise body types and how they respond to exercise. Research has found that both strength performance and aerobic capacity are dependent on them. We all roughly fall into one of the three categories – ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph – and figuring out which you best align with will help you to train better.
ECTOMORPH TALL AND SLIM
‘Ectomorphs are runner beans’, says Parker. ‘Think Paula Radcliffe: naturally long and lean with low amounts of body fat but also relatively low amounts of muscle mass.’ So what’s the best way to train? ‘Regular weightlifting, starting with three sets of 10-12 reps. Split your sessions into upper body days and lower body days, focusing on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, bench presses and pull-ups. These exercises hit all the major muscle groups. Aim for four weight sessions a week and one quality cardio session.’