Need tips and knowledge for my body. Can I get a nice build if I’m 5ft9 but small boned?

[Anonymous]

I am 5ft9, 160 pounds and I workout 5 times a week so I am muscular and fit. The thing is I just look small next to others including people similar in height.

my question is, does this mean that I just have a small bone structure? Or if I continue to build muscle and maybe another 15-20 pounds then I won’t look scrawny anymore?

is 160 pounds of muscle at 5ft9 scrawny?

[HighlyVolatile]

There are tests online you can take which factor in measurements like your wrist and chest to determine whether you're ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph, or a blend between two of these like so:
https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3.htm

Ectomorphs tend to have the easiest time cutting but have the shorter/smaller bones (ex: narrower clavicle and hip bones leading to a narrower build, like slimmer shoulders). You might be some blend of ectomorph.

There are ways for even hardcore ectomorphs to put on mass though but might require eating far more than you would intuitively.

160lbs at 5'9 also isn't too light. That still requires a share of muscle mass if you're simultaneously lean, and you're still quite young. I'd prioritize your broadest muscle groups if you want to pack on some pounds in muscle the fastest: mainly your glutes, lats, pecs, quads, and hams.

[Asker]

Thanks for this info and link. It appears I’m sort of a combination of ectomorph, mesomorph. I am focusing more on compound exercises for the last 6 months and results are definitely coming

[Guy13]

if you are scrony…with girl wrist etc…
-3 times a week in gym is more than enough. To much workout for you is COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. Eat, Rest, and sleep 8 hours to heal torn muscles.
-Lots of protein BUT NO POWDER 💩. Meat, soy, and beans.
-NO carbs, processed foods, soda.

-Cosmetic: Go long and NOT Wide. Wide will make you look shorter. Filling your clothes is what you should be shooting for…enough bi/tricep to fill sleeve. NOT muscle bound.
You are going to need to be super skinny like a girl.
What is your neck-dress shirt size❓

[Asker]

15.5 neck-dress shirt size I believe. Middle finger and thumb tips just touch when wrapping around my wrist. I am interested to get that long look like you describe but I just lift heavy weight and high volume and i pyramid the weight (light to heavy and then downward back to light)

[Guy13]

I was built like you until 15. I still have those attributes as I’m long like typical model. Heavy weights. 8-10. Do circuit as you need whole body. The smallest amount of muscle will show to people that you know. Don’t focus on one area UNLESS you have straw legs.
NO HIIT OF ANT KIND. Lots of proteins and good foods and rest. It’s a full boy build/tone. NOT BIG PECTS OR ARMS and pencil legs. Your build…should have a sexy-hot stomach.

Little bit goes long way on you. Tear up legs and stomach for Adult look. Circuit train upper body

[Birdlegs]

You’re about my size I’m 5’9 AND A HALF and around 160-165 l. I’m also a college sprinter so that makes it even harder to put on weight but last summer I put on 20 pounds and wound up cutting 10 of water weight but it was very noticeable. All my teammates were shocked from how much bigger I looked so honestly another 10 pounds for us and we’re straight.

[Asker]

Interesting: adding 10 pounds of muscle is my current target. I was 130 pounds about 3 years ago. So moving up to 160 of muscle has drawn a lot of attention for myself as well. But I do tend to feel I need another 10 pounds of lean muscle to really start feeling good. Hoping it works out

Also my wrists.. if I wrap my middle finger around to meet my thumb.. they tips just touch.. so I’m on the small to small medium bone structure. Curious on you?

[Birdlegs]

Same here. 170 is definitely a good spot for us tho

[exitseven]

You are an ectomorph and will always be slight. It is good that you are fit. You can build muscle and get stronger and that is a good thing. You will be able to bench twice your body weight which is impressive. Smaller guys that are really strong are pretty amazing.

[Asker]

Yeah I’m lifting 225 pounds in chest, squats and dead’s so strength doesn’t seem to be an issue. I just seem to still look like a high schooler

[exitseven]

You will be happy about this someday.

[slatyb]

Absolutely you can. Not every woman wants to date a football player.

[Asker]

I appreciate this answer lol. Got some girls at my work all at least 180 pounds and maybe 5ft5 so they view my as a kid due to being 5’9 and what they consider skinny

[slatyb]

So? Are those the women you want to date?

[Asker]

Not at all lol.. just sucks to hear them say that I look like a kid. You’re right though I really shouldn’t care hahah appreciate it

[slatyb]

I looked like a kid too. Grew a beard at 26 because I looked 16. But looking back, I was quite attractive. Today most people think I'm ten years younger than I am. Don't worry about looking like a kid. They are only saying that because they are jealous of your youthful appearance.

[Asker]

This made me feel much better. I needed this answer. Really really appreciate your time. I don’t think anyone realizes how one comment on me looking like a kid sends me into a mini depression for either days or weeks. I do actually pretty decent with girls so you’d think I wouldn’t be bothered but we all have our insecurities

[slatyb]

Yeah, you should totally get over this. It's an advantage now and will become an even bigger advantage as you age.

[Anonymous]

Are you wasting time doing too many isolation movement routines?