How to Calculate Muscularity

Step-by-step Instructions

Here is what you need to do...
Step 1

The term "calculate muscularity" is somewhat vague in its meaning. If you're intending to figure out your body-type when it comes to typical muscular structure, I'll give you some advice for that. If, on the other hand, you're seeking to literally measure the amount of muscle on your body- well, there's just no way to do that shy of going to a very specified sports-related doctor.

Step 2

In terms of figuring out your muscular body archetype, there are three places you have to pull from: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. An ectomorph is somebody who is naturally skinny, and builds muscle very slowly. This person will typically boast an extremely high metabolism and be able to eat a lot of food without putting on any excess fat. A mesomorph is your typical bodybuilder body. This genetic structure gives people the ability to build muscle with ease, and as long as they watch their diet somewhat, they'll find that rock hard abs and bulging biceps are no problem to maintain. Finally, you have endomorphs. Endomorphs are what people typically describe as "big-boned," as they have a naturally stocky build that holds fat easily. This body type will find that coming by a lot of strength gain is no problem, but cutting down to a ripped six-pack can be an extreme challenge due to natural genetic makeup.

Step 3

Think about the three different body types above and consider which one you are able to most closely relate to. Chances are that you won't fit exactly inside one of the three categories, and that you'll be a mixture of two or even all of them. For instance: maybe you build muscle easily, but you still always look very thin and skinny. No matter where you fit, figuring out your place in the world of muscular categories is a surefire way to combat genetics and work towards perfecting your strength, size, and overall appearance of your physique.

Step 4

If you are literally trying to calculate the amount of muscle on your body, the best thing I can do is refer you to an article on our website that deals with Figuring out Lean Body Mass. This article will tell you how much of the mass on your body isn't composed of fat. That happens with an equation that has been used and proven to be pretty accurate throughout the years. If you figure out your lean body mass, it won't be too difficult to take it a step further and eyeball the amount of that mass that belongs specifically to muscle-weight.

Special Attention

Difficulties people often experience or parts that need special attention to do it right.

Figuring out your exact muscularity is something that can only be done through a series of doctor-implemented tests, and even then it is difficult to do. In order to figure out your basic muscularity, the best route is to use either of the two bits of information of above. Doing so will give you a ballpark representation of what your average muscularity is, and how you can work to continue forming that muscularity to a point that is acceptable to you.

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Interestingly enough, I have never met somebody who has directly tried to calculate their muscularity. I have, however, known handfuls of weight lifters who use the above methods in order to ballpark their muscularity. After that, they eyeball what they want to call an "exact muscularity," which is always a little bit buffered in their favor. Maybe someone should come up with a surefire to calculate muscularity, that way all of those people who boast will have the face some truthful music.

When did you first do this & how did you get started?

I've never attempted to calculate my muscularity, but I know that if I did try an eyeball guess, I'd use the methods above. Give them a try and good luck.
Happy lifting,
J

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