
Grab your wrist and find out what kind of body frame you have.
Some people can stuff themselves full of snacks without any repercussions, while others seem to gain weight without so much as batting an eyelid, making achieving that vaunted “Cinderella weight” a distant dream.
Perhaps it has something to do with our body types, as some tend to remain skinny while others possess extra fat by default. According to Japanese user @KMarisa0606, determining just what kind of body you have is as simple as wrapping fingers around your wrist.
▼ “Is this why I can’t gain body fat?”
(Translation below)
“Grip your opposite wrist using the thumb and middle finger. If you’re right-handed, use your right hand to grab your left wrist.
Ectomorph — Thumb and middle finger overlapping with ease. (Difficulty in gaining body fat and muscle)
Mesomorph — Thumb and middle finger touching each other. (Loses body fat easily and gains muscle quickly)
Endomorph — Thumb and middle finger doesn’t come into contact. (Gains both body fat and muscle easily)
This is just an impression, but ectomorphs have the bodies of full marathon runners or models, mesomorphs gymnasts or athletes, and endomorphs professional wrestlers or sumo wrestlers.”
While the names may sound like aliens out of a sci-fi horror movie, it turns out @KMarisa0606’s method does have a scientific basis. The concept of such body types — known as somatotypes — was first introduced in the 1940s by Dr. William H. Sheldon, whose assistant went on to develop a more robust system that’s still used to evaluate athletes today.
The theory is that calculating the wrist’s circumference in relation to height determines what kind of body frame one has. But since most people have a combination of the three body types, wrist measurements provide a rough estimate at best. Still, it’s a quick way to find out why some people have trouble shaving their weight.
▼ “If only I knew about the wrist test earlier.
At least it’s never too late to become a sumo wrestler!”
Japanese netizens were eager to share their findings, though some remain skeptical:
“I see. So that’s why I can never seem to gain weight even after eating so much.”
“This is great! Except… only my arm is like a model’s and nothing else!”
“So this is based on the length of our fingers?”
“Mine overlaps easily, but I’m so fat.”
“Nice! Mine’s like an athlete!”
So which body type are you? As a mesomorph myself, I found the wrist test to be somewhat accurate as I don’t seem to have trouble managing my weight. But regardless of which somatotype we all are, a bit of convenience store dieting to improve our lifestyle never hurts.
Source: Twitter/@KMarisa0606 via Hachima Kiko, mPort, Caliber
Top image: Photo AC
Insert image: Pakutaso


Man sheds half his body weight, looks like a handsome model in just one year
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa