Ectomorph
February 11, 2009 by Chris Sine
Filed under Ectomorph
Ectomorphs have a real hard time putting on any weight at all never mind quality muscle. They have a metabolism which does not hold onto anything, it burns off carbohydrates and calories before they get a chance to be stored as fat. As they burn off all the carbohydrates so fast, protein calories tend to get converted to carbohydrates too, and they also then get burned off!
The No BS training program for an ectomorph looking to add muscle and shape to their body must do minimal cardiovascular exercise (if any. For a male it means heavy and intense but brief workouts, based on major compound movements. This particular body type wants to use heavy weights but fewer sets, also working more than one muscle group at a time. Try and stay away from isolation movements which may tax the nervous system too much for the ectomorph to allow sufficient recuperation before his/her next workout.
Another concern for the ectomorph is consuming enough food. This can feel like a full time job at times due to their ability to burn up all the food they eat. This group have their work cut out just as much as the endomorphs at the opposite end of the spectrum. ectomorphs must regularly eat enough starchy carbohydrates to keep a steady supply of energy to the muscle cells to stop their body from cannibalizing muscle stored amino acids. It can convert muscle stored amino acids into carbohydrates to keep its calorie burning furnace fully fuelled. Where simple carbs can easily add fat to the bodies of the other groups they are useful to ectomorphs, because they create an insulin release. Insulin promotes nutrients storage, so having simple carbs with breakfast and after training could be very beneficial. As for protein, the ectomorph would be best suited to steak, eggs, chicken and a quality blended slow release protein with a comprehensive amino acid profile, the slower a protein is absorbed gives the ectomorph a better chance to absorb the amino acids supplied by the digested protein.
Chris Sine
Fitness Trainer
E: Chris@NoBSFitnessforLife.com
W: www.NoBSFitnessforLife.com
