BODY-TYPE EXERCISE / INFO
You are an Ectomorph on a fat loss programme. Fortunately your body-type can lose fat easily but you may find that you lose muscle easily too, due to having predominately slow twitch muscle fibre. Therefore the focus for your body-type is to increase muscle tissue to keep your metabolism firing, which will in turn help you to lose fat. The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn.
The majority of your exercise plan is resistance training rather than cardio. It is a common thought process that when on a fat loss programme you should be doing lots of cardio, this is true for some body-types but for an Ectomorph this is the wrong approach. By overdoing the cardio element of your training you will break down too much muscle, which will slow down the rate at which you burn fat. You may have heard of the term skinny fat, this is the look of someone with your body-type who does too much cardio and not enough resistance training. Therefore a programme focussing on resistance training for an Ectomorph will gain the best fat loss results.
The type of movement you will be performing on a fat loss programme will consist of compound exercises. These are big movements which use lots of muscles at once therefore burning more calories, speeding up your metabolism and creating the correct hormonal response (boosting growth hormone and testosterone). We also keep the tempo and intensity of your workout higher and the rest periods shorter than any other goal, for the same reasons as previously mentioned. As an Ectomorph you will be working at a lower rep range than any other body-type, which avoids you depleting your glycogen stores and breaking down muscle.
At YBP we have researched and created the perfect ratio of resistance and cardio workouts for your body-type on a fat loss goal. We have specified how often to perform these workouts to get the best results. Every month the training concept will change (the concept is the way in which you perform your workouts). Within your concept we have tailored and specified the exact sets, rep ranges, duration, tempo, rest and intensity.
Ecto-mesomorph
You are an Ecto-mesomorph on a fat loss programme. Fortunately your body-type can lose fat easily but you may find that you lose muscle easily too, due to having predominately slow twitch muscle fibre. Therefore the focus for your body-type is to increase muscle tissue to keep your metabolism firing, which will in turn help you to lose fat. The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn.
The majority of your exercise plan is resistance training rather than cardio. It is a common thought process that when on a fat loss programme you should be doing lots of cardio, this is true for some body-types but for an Ecto-mesomorph this is the wrong approach. By overdoing the cardio element of your training you will break down too much muscle, which will slow down the rate at which you burn fat. You may have heard of the term skinny fat, this is the look of someone with your body-type who does too much cardio and not enough resistance training. Therefore a programme focussing on resistance training for an Ecto-mesomorph will gain the best fat loss results.
The type of movement you will be performing on a fat loss programme will consist of compound exercises. These are big movements which use lots of muscles at once therefore burning more calories, speeding up your metabolism and creating the correct hormonal response (boosting growth hormone and testosterone). We also keep the tempo and intensity of your workout higher and the rest periods shorter than any other goal, for the same reasons as previously mentioned. As an Ecto-mesomorph you will be working at a lower rep range than some of the other body-types, which avoids you depleting your glycogen stores and breaking down muscle.
At YBP we have researched and created the perfect ratio of resistance and cardio workouts for your body-type on a fat loss goal. We have specified how often to perform these workouts to get the best results. Every month the training concept will change (the concept is the way in which you perform your workouts). Within your concept we have tailored and specified the exact sets, rep ranges, duration, tempo, rest and intensity.
MONTHLY WORKOUT SCHEDULE
Below is our recommended order and number of workouts. Try to stick as close to this as possible. Always keep the order of the workouts the same even if you have to take days off. Ideally do not have more than one day off in a row.
| Day 1 | Workout One | Day 15 | Workout One |
| Day 2 | Cardio | Day 16 | Cardio |
| Day 3 | Rest | Day 17 | Rest |
| Day 4 | Workout Two | Day 18 | Workout Two |
| Day 5 | Rest | Day 19 | Rest |
| Day 6 | Workout One | Day 20 | Workout One |
| Day 7 | Rest | Day 21 | Rest |
| Day 8 | Workout Two | Day 22 | Workout Two |
| Day 9 | Cardio | Day 23 | Cardio |
| Day 10 | Rest | Day 24 | Rest |
| Day 11 | Workout One | Day 25 | Workout One |
| Day 12 | Rest | Day 26 | Rest |
| Day 13 | Workout Two | Day 27 | Workout Two | Day 14 | Rest | Day 28 | Rest |
DYNAMIC WARM-UP
The warm-up is to mobilise and prime your body, it should be specific to the exercise you are about to perform. We recommend 5 mins of gentle cardio to increase body temperature and blood flow to the muscles. Follow this with movements that mimic your exercises but at a slower pace with reduced intensity.
Try our basic warm-up or advanced version with a medicine ball.
RESISTANCE WORKOUT ONE
This concept has a descending rep range. You will perform 2 exercises back to back with 12 reps of each exercise, followed immediately by the same 2 exercises with 10 reps, followed immediately with the same 2 exercises with 8 reps. This completes a set. Rest for 3 minutes then repeat the same set again. Rest for 3 minutes then move to the next group of 2 exercises. Continue with the same format.Remember to keep the weights heavy and challenging to elicit the correct hormonal and metabolic response.
EXERCISE CONCEPT – DESCENDING
| Exercises in each set | 2 |
| Reps | 12 / 10 / 8 |
| Number of sets | 4 sets (perform each set twice through) |
| Total sets | 8 |
| Rest between sets | 3 mins |
SQUAT — Wall / Swiss Ball / Dumbbells
Lean your lower back onto a swiss ball positioned against a wall. Place your feet hip width apart, slightly forward of your body and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Lower into a squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor, keep the chest lifted. Extend the legs.
PRESS-UP
Begin in a press-up position, hands just wider than shoulder width and arms extended. Bend the arms, elbows flared to the side slightly and lower yourself until your chest is just off the floor. Extend the arms and raise 1 knee to the opposite elbow twisting the torso, repeat with the other knee and continue back to the press-up.
Set Two
ROW — Dumbbell
Begin in a long lunge position with the back leg extended, and hold a dumbbell in the opposite hand to front leg. Lean your torso forwards creating a straight line from head to toe. Bend the elbow and pull into a row. Keep the elbow close to the body then extend the arm.
SIDE DROP
Lie on your back, arms extended to the side and both legs raised with the knees bent. As you inhale allow the legs to lower to one side under control. As you exhale draw your navel to spine and bring the legs back to centre. Aim to keep your shoulders in contact with the floor. Alternate sides.
Set Three
LUNGE — TRX
Stand facing the TRX and hold both handles. Step laterally into a deep side lunge with your weight through your heel. Step together and alternate legs whilst keeping the movement fluid. Maintain neutral spine with the arms extended, shoulders down and chest lifted.
CHEST PRESS — TRX
Start in a press-up position with the TRX attached behind you. Take your weight onto your toes and walk your feet further underneath you to make the exercise more challenging. Maintain core stability and bend the arms lowering yourself into the press-up, keeping the hand position still, then extend the arms.
Set Four
LAT PULL-DOWN — Machine
Sit on the lat pull down machine with a wide overhand grip. Retract the shoulders, lean the torso backwards an inch and pull the bar towards your breastbone. Keep the chest lifted and core engaged. Raise the bar with control maintaining an open position across the chest.
CRUNCH – Swiss Ball
Lie with your back extended over a swiss ball and your hands placed onto opposite shoulders. Curl up into a crunch, keeping a slight gap under the chin and simultaneously tilt the pelvis under. Lower under control. The further back over the ball the harder the exercise.
RESISTANCE WORKOUT TWO
Perform this workout with the same exercise concept as workout one.
Set One
HAMSTRING CURL — Swiss Ball
Lie on your back with your legs straight, feet on a swiss ball and hips raised. Place your arms by your side for support. Bend the knees as you roll the ball towards you, do not allow the hips to lower. Extend the legs.
PRESS-UP
Begin in a press-up position, hands just wider than shoulder width and arms extended. Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to toe. Bend the arms, elbows flared to the side slightly and lower yourself until your chest is just off the floor. Extend the arms.
Set Two
DEADLIFT — Barbell
Stand feet shoulder width apart, bend the knees, hinge from the hips and take hold of a barbell with a wide grip. Perform a deadlift by pressing the feet into the ground and straightening the legs. Do not let the lower back round, maintain neutral spine. Lower under control.
OBLIQUE CRUNCH — Swiss Ball / Dumbbell
Lie with your back over a swiss ball and hold a weight to your chest. Draw your navel to spine as you curl up and rotate. Lower under control then curl and rotate to the opposite side. The further back over the ball the harder the exercise.
Set Three
STEP-UP — Box / Dumbbells
Stand holding the dumbbells to your side with 1 foot placed on top of a high box or bench. Step up, alternate legs and step down. Continue the move and do not push off with the underneath leg.
SHOULDER PRESS — Barbell
Stand with your feet hip width apart. Hold a barbell in front of you with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder width. Begin with the arms bent and bar at shoulder height. Extend the bar overhead maintaining neutral spine. Bend the arms and lower under control.
Set Four
ROW – Cable
Sit upright with your shoulders retracted, arms extended and the cable at chest height. Using a wide grip bar pull the cable towards you with your elbows slightly raised. Draw your shoulder blades down and together, maintain this position throughout the exercise.
LEG RAISES
Lie on your back with your legs raised and knees bent. Engage your core and maintain neutral spine as you lower the feet towards the floor on the inhale. Keep the knees bent and do not allow the lower back to over arch as you lower the legs. Exhale as you raise the legs.
CARDIO WORKOUT
The cardio workout is split into 3 sections: Pre-Intervals, the lactic acid removal phase and Post-Intervals. You can use any piece of cardio equipment such as the cross trainer, treadmill, rower, bike or skipping rope. You can also combine equipment rather than performing the entire workout on one machine.
Pre-Intervals – perform the required number of intervals. The sprint phase should be performed at 100%, the highest intensity possible and the rest phase should be performed at a low intensity to recover. For example on a cross-trainer increase the speed for the sprint phase then bring it back down on the rest phase, allowing you to recover. When using a treadmill you may actually jump off the machine during the rest phase as it takes too long to slow down, therefore your rest phase may be a complete rest.
Lactic acid removal phase – work at a consistent pace, but to the maximum intensity possible (you should not be able to hold a conversation) yet able to sustain it for the required length of time. The time is stated in minutes below the first table.
Post-Intervals – perform the intervals again with the same format as the first section. Enjoy!
CARDIO CONCEPT
| Number of Intervals | Sprints | Rest |
| 2 | 25 sec | 35 sec |
| Lactic Acid Removal Phase - 22 minutes | ||
| 2 | 25 sec | 35 sec |
| Total Workout Time - 26 minutes | ||
CARDIO EQUIPMENT
This video shows examples of cardio equipment to use when perform your interval training.
STRETCHES
Hold each position for 1 minute and increase the length of time on particularly tight muscles.
GLUTES & BACK
Lie on your back with your arms stretched out wide, take one knee across your body and apply gentle pressure drawing the knee towards the floor.
GLUTES
Lie on your back and place your foot onto the opposite knee. Press the top knee outwards as you clasp the underneath leg and draw it towards you.
BACK
Sit back onto your heels and simultaneously reach your hands forward with your forehead resting on the floor.
ABDOMINALS
Lie prone (on your front) and place your hands beneath your shoulders. Press into the floor, straighten your arms and raise your body.
HIP FLEXOR
In a half kneeling position tuck your pelvis under, squeeze your glutes and press your hips forward.
QUADS
Draw your foot towards your bottom. Squeeze your glutes, tuck your pelvis under and keep your knees together.
HAMSTRINGS & CALF
Raise your foot onto a surface and lean your body forward. Flex the foot bringing the toe towards you.
CALF
Lean into a wall, extend the back knee and press the heel into the floor. Ensure both feet are in a parallel position.
LATERAL
Place one foot behind the other and reach the same arm (as back leg) overhead. To increase the stretch lean laterally.
UPPER BACK
Place your hands together and reach forward. Drop your head between your arms and curve your upper back.
CHEST
Place your forearm onto a wall, creating right angles at the shoulder and elbow joints. Apply pressure into the wall and turn your torso away.
TRICEP
Take one arm overhead and bend at the elbow. Apply pressure with the opposite hand and keep the head raised.
ALTERNATIVE EXERCISES
Use this section to replace specific exercises in your programme which do not work for you. This may be due to not having the correct equipment, the exercise being too challenging / not challenging enough, or possibly due to an injury. Click on the links below to find alternative exercises for the same body part or movement.