Have you ever wondered why one person seems to build muscle incredibly easily, another can eat almost anything without gaining much weight, while somebody else seems to gain weight very easily? Our bodies are different, and understanding those differences can be incredibly helpful when we are trying to improve our health and fitness.
Rather than constantly comparing ourselves with other people, we can begin to understand the body we actually have and learn how best to look after it. In traditional fitness teaching, you may have heard of the three somatotypes: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Interestingly, when I studied Ayurveda, I noticed some similarities with the three Ayurvedic doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
They aren’t the same systems, and there isn’t an exact scientific relationship between them, but there are some fascinating parallels. An ectomorph, for example, is traditionally described as naturally slim, with a lighter frame, relatively long limbs and a tendency to find it harder to gain weight or muscle. In Ayurvedic philosophy, some of these characteristics can resemble Vata.
Vata people are traditionally described as lighter in build, quick-moving, energetic, creative and enthusiastic. Their energy can sometimes come in bursts rather than being completely consistent. They may love variety and become bored with rigid routines. In fitness, someone with these characteristics might enjoy variety, music, different classes and changing their workouts rather than doing exactly the same programme every week. Strength training, good nutrition and adequate recovery can also be particularly important.
The traditional mesomorph tends to have a naturally more athletic or muscular physique and may respond relatively quickly to resistance training. There are some interesting similarities here with Pitta. In Ayurveda, Pitta is associated with fire, drive, determination and transformation. A Pitta-dominant person may be focused, organised and competitive. Give them a target and they’ll often want to beat it.
That determination can be fantastic for fitness, but there can also be a downside. The person who always wants to train harder, go faster, lift more and beat yesterday’s performance may sometimes need to learn that recovery is part of training too. Yoga, stretching, breathing exercises and relaxation can provide a wonderful balance for someone who is naturally very driven.
The traditional endomorph is generally described as having a broader or softer physique and a greater tendency to store body fat. There are some similarities here with the Ayurvedic description of Kapha. Kapha is associated with stability, strength, endurance, calmness and groundedness.
A Kapha-dominant person may have tremendous staying power once they get going, although getting started can sometimes be the difficult part. They may prefer familiar routines and comfortable surroundings and may not naturally seek constant change. For somebody with these tendencies, regular movement, stimulating exercise and creating a consistent routine can be particularly helpful. Once exercise becomes part of their life, their natural steadiness can become an enormous strength.
The most important thing to understand is that very few of us fit perfectly into one category. We aren’t simply an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph, and in Ayurveda we aren’t necessarily purely Vata, Pitta or Kapha either. We are usually a combination.
You might recognise yourself as Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha or Vata-Kapha. One dosha may be particularly dominant, or two may be quite evenly balanced. Ayurveda also distinguishes between our underlying constitution and our current state of balance. In other words, how we feel at this particular moment in our lives isn’t necessarily the same as our fundamental nature.
This is one of the things I love about Ayurveda. It encourages us to look at the whole person rather than simply looking at their weight, shape or fitness level. How do you sleep? How do you respond to stress? What is your digestion like? Are you naturally hot or cold? Do you thrive on routine or variety? Are you naturally driven or laid-back? Do you need more stimulation, or do you actually need help slowing down?
You can begin exploring your Ayurvedic type by asking yourself a few simple questions. Is your natural build light and slim, medium and athletic, or broader and more solid? Is your energy variable and unpredictable, strong and focused, or steady and enduring? Are you naturally creative and spontaneous, determined and competitive, or calm and dependable?
Think about how you behave under stress too. Do you become anxious, scattered and overwhelmed? That can resemble Vata. Do you become irritable, impatient or frustrated? That can resemble Pitta. Or do you tend to withdraw, lose motivation or become stuck? That can resemble Kapha.
Your attitude towards exercise can be interesting as well. A Vata-type personality may love variety, fun and spontaneity. A Pitta personality may enjoy targets, challenges and measurable progression. A Kapha personality may prefer familiarity and routine and may benefit from encouragement to try something new.
Your appetite and sleep can provide more clues. Vata is traditionally associated with a more variable appetite and lighter or easily disturbed sleep. Pitta is associated with a stronger, more regular appetite and a focused, energetic nature. Kapha is traditionally associated with a steadier constitution and deeper sleep.
None of these characteristics gives you a definitive diagnosis or puts you into a fixed box. Ayurveda is a traditional system of wellbeing rather than a modern medical classification, and the old somatotype system is also a simplified description of physique rather than a scientific rule determining what your body can become.
What these ideas can do, however, is encourage us to become curious about ourselves.
Imagine three people joining a gym on the same day. The first person loves novelty. She wants music, movement, different exercises and plenty of variety. Give her exactly the same programme for twelve weeks and she may become bored and stop coming.
The second person loves achievement. She wants numbers, goals and progression. She wants to know how much she lifted last month and what she can lift now. Seeing measurable progress motivates her.
The third person doesn’t particularly enjoy being pushed or constantly changing exercises. She wants to feel comfortable, build confidence and establish a routine. Once Wednesday morning at ten becomes her exercise time, she may happily continue doing it for years.
Which one is exercising correctly? All three are. They simply need different approaches.
This is why understanding body type and personality can be so helpful in personal training. Sometimes the best exercise programme on paper isn’t the best programme for the human being standing in front of you.
One person might flourish with a detailed twelve-week programme. Another might flourish by coming into the gym, putting on some music, choosing several exercises and enjoying moving her body. One person wants to measure everything. Another simply wants to feel better. One wants competition. Another wants community. One needs encouragement to slow down, while another needs encouragement to get moving.
Our body type isn’t our destiny. Our bodies are influenced by genetics, age, hormones, nutrition, sleep, lifestyle, activity levels, training history and many other factors. We can become stronger, fitter and healthier whatever our natural starting point.
Perhaps the real value in understanding these different systems isn’t about giving ourselves another label. It’s about understanding that there isn’t one perfect way to exercise, eat or look after ourselves.
Instead of asking, “Why can’t I exercise like everyone else?” we can begin asking, “What kind of movement, routine and lifestyle help me thrive?”
And perhaps the best fitness programme isn’t the one that looks perfect on paper. It’s the one that understands you.
