What Is The Perfect Body Type For Running

When it comes to running, there are a thousand excuses not to. Some range from the believable and understandable to the most outlandish and ridiculous excuses.

When it’s cold and icy out we can understand why people choose to reduce their exercise regimes, but one excuse that a lot of people give is that they don’t feel like they have the right body to be a runner. Which got us thinking – is there a right body shape for being a runner?

When you look at the top athletes, certain body shapes do prevail. Long-distance runners tend to be short and light whilst sprinters are taller and much more muscular. The difference in these two body shapes is reflected in the type of workload each runner deals with. For the rest of us who aren’t aiming to become Olympic champions and simply want to run, body type shouldn’t discourage us from running at all.

Traditional Body Types

There are three main body types: ectomorph, endomorph and mesomorph. An ectomorph body type traditionally has difficulty gaining weight, has narrow shoulders, lean muscle mass, thin stature and a high metabolism. A mesomorph is typically athletic and can gain muscle and weight easily. Endomorphs have a rounder physique with soft muscle tissue and generally have a slow metabolism which makes it difficult for them to lose weight.

Big Body Types

A big body shouldn’t be immediately classified as mesomorph as they also feature endomorph and ectomorph traits which will influence which running style they will be best at. A big body type that is ectomorphic or mesomorphic is going to be much better at sprinting as these traits make people much stronger.

Small Body Types

Shorter runners with thin body types tend to make better long-distance runners than taller runners as long and large legs make it difficult to lift and propel a body forward. Shorter strides and less weight tend to lead to greater speeds over long distances.   

No matter your body shape, you shouldn’t be put off from taking part in running events. Certain body types may be more suited to certain types of running but that doesn’t mean you can’t run.