Ecto Body Types - What worked for you?

Fitness-Mom

Fitness-Mom

Cathlete
What has worked for you to increase your definition. Was their a particular rotation you did to increase your muscle size?
Should you do less cardio?

As you can tell, I am extremely confused on this. Do you do high reps/lo weight, or Heavy weight/less reps?
Any suggestions? Whatever happened to the Ecto Check-in?

"Today is a Gift, Have Fun"

~Jennifer~

www.picturetrail.com/Fitness-momx2
 
Hi Jennifer,

I have definitely found that less cardio, more heavy lifting worked for me as well as watching my diet. Slow & Heavy and Gym Styles work best for me. I just finished FitnessFreak's January '07 rotation. I gained a 1/2" in my biceps, lost an inch in my waist and 1/4" from my thighs. When I did a Jari Love rotation back in February, I lost what I had gained in my biceps. I only do cardio 2-3 times a week.

I would love an ecto check-in.

Marcy
 
Jennifer,

I also want to add that I definitely lose muscle mass when I do too much cardio. My body fat goes down when I do less cardio. I also try to watch my fat intake. I've been trying to stay away from most junk food. I will be starting P90X on Monday and I will definitely be taking my measurements to see if this will work for me. I have a feeling it will.

Marcy
 
Thanks,
Maybe I will try FitnessFreaks Jan 07 rotation right after finishing Cathe's Upper Body Bliss Rotation. Hopefully this will give me some definition since it incooperates the GS & S&H.

I would love to start a Ecto Check-in...anyone else game?

TIA -

"Today is a Gift, Have Fun"

~Jennifer~

www.picturetrail.com/Fitness-momx2
 
Hey Jennifer....we USED to have an ecto checkin years ago and I miss it!!!! I'd probably checkin although I'm primarily a chinner checkiner!:7

Definitely heavy weights/lower reps, less cardio worked for me. I was in a triathalon last year and changed my eating to more carbs and obviously more cardio - biking, running, - and my shape changed significantly (more pudge on my tummy and middle, less striated in general). I'm now getting back to lifting and less cardio and reclaiming a more muscular body. I saw the MOST progress while utilizing the P90X workout. I still use the weight workouts from P90X mixed with Cathe. Good luck!!

Briee
 
another ecto here! i think if i keep up with cathe's workouts, muscle definition is inevitable. i'm not going for any bulk anyway- but if you are, you may want to add a quality protein shake to your morning menu.

i'm a raw foodist- so, it's going to be difficult. i've been drinking lots of nut milks i make at home with almond or brazil nuts (tasty) and a ton of green smoothies. anyway, i should take a before picture and keep a food and workout diary to track my results- or maybe--- lack of results. we shall see.

check out this guy-- a fruitarian and plenty of muscles:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=56245967

i think i'm gonna check out this book, "raw power".
http://www.rawfood.com/rawpower.html

anyway, off subject!

good luck ectos! }(
 
Hi Jennifer,

I also did Cathe's Upper Body Bliss Rotation and had good results. I have the best results with S&H and Gym Styles and the Pyramids although S&H and Gym Styles are the best. You could also try one body part a day rotations. Cathe has done a couple and so has FitnessFreak.

Marcy
 
Nothing has ever worked for me in increasing the bulk of my muscles. Definition is fine, it's noticeable to people...but I'll never look like Cathe.
 
I'm pretty much an ecto-endo (skinny with fat on top!), and neither tends to put on muscle easily. P90X did a great job on my upper body, though. For me, the ecto is mostly upper body, and doing a split routine (2-3 day upper body, with good recovery between workouts) for upper body works best. My 'endo-ness' settles more around the middle and lower part of moi, so working out lower body with higher reps and more workouts works best.

Like Donna, I don't ever get very big, and definition is hard (because the muscles are smaller, and the 'endo' fat covers them), but I can get quite strong.

HIgh reps, low weights doesn't do much for ectos, pretty much a waste of time if you want any size or definition. Heavy weights, fewer reps, more rest period between sets, limiting cardio so the calories you take in go towards building muscle rather than towards fueling cardio workouts, sufficient recovery between workouts, eating to fuel the workouts (to paraphrase Gunnar Peterson: you can't get big(ger) without eating big(ger), especially getting in a 4-to-1 carb-to-protein 'recovery' type fueling right after a weight workout, are the most important things.
 
I'm sort of like Kathryn. I work out like an ecto for the upper body, using Gym Styles and Slow & Heavy, the latter for 6 week series and it does wonders for me. I have never had such muscle mass nor strength and definition as when I do long term S&H. But for the lower body, I do more endurance work, Gym Style for legs, Leaner Legs and PLB mostly and these work great for me. When I do S&H rotations, I usually manage 3-4 cardios per week. I don't believe in "avoiding" cardio and therefore not working your cardiovsascular system just because you want to add upper body muscle. In the long run, working the cardiovascular system goes firther towards extending my life span than a muscle bound upper body does. Plus, I just plain like to sweat 4 times per week minimum.

Clare
 
Jenn-
I just remembered I forgot to answer you. Thanks! I use Wella Biotouch Nutri-care Frizz Control leave-in Cream and Wella System Professional Hypercurl. I use a lot of the stuff because my hair is very thick and coarse and can handle a LOT of leave-in product.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top