Calculate Your Grecian Ideal

A few days ago I was researching some fitness topics when I found the Grecian Ideal Body Measurement Calculator. This tool generates ideal body measurements if the ideal body is the one used in classic Greek sculptures. What I like about this tool is that it generates calculations based solely on wrist size. Wrist size is the most important variable when it comes to body composition. Last May in the post A Decent Bench Press? I wrote:

I agree with the author that my bench press is not yet decent, however I do think there are 2 other variables that factors greatly into how much one can bench. The first is wrist size and the second is arm length. Ectomorphs have long arms and small wrists. This means I need to lift the weight higher and with less support than a thick-wristed short man.

Image from How to Eat Right For Your Body Type by Dr. John Berardi. Typically Ectomorphs are taller and Endomorphs are shorter. Other than that this image is a good representation of somatypes.

I learned what I suspected. I’ve sacrificed Greek leanness to gain as much muscle as my skinny frame can handle. The more I push my weight training, the more injuries I get. Back in 2001, I stopped training like a mesomorph (3 sets of 8-12 reps) in favor of low-rep training and I made amazing gains. Maybe it is time I stopped eating like a mesomorph? It is time to reevaluate.

UPDATE: The original calculator is no longer online. Tom Venuto wrote a good article on the topic as well.