This Is the Best Workout for You, According to Your Personality
Forget one-sized-fits-all routines.
CrossFit, rowing, barre, OrangeTheory: They might all be hot workouts right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re ideal for you. In fact, finding the exercise that taps into your unique personality traits might be key to making fitness a permanent part of your lifestyle—after all, of people who make resolutions to shape up (and that’s two-thirds of us), half ditch their goals within six weeks, according to a Harris Interactive poll.
“Knowing what motivates you, what you really enjoy doing, and how your personality affects your routine can help create lasting behavioral change so you stick with a routine,” says Jessica Matthews, senior advisor for health and fitness education for the American Council on Exercise (ACE), personal trainer, and ACE health coach.
So what’s right for you? Put on your shrink-hat and read on:
You are a fun seeker, says Matthews. So hook up with a crazy fun group class—like aerial yoga. Then, do something different the next day. Signing up for a monthly membership with ClassPass, which allows you to take classes at a variety of fitness studios, was basically made for someone like you who thrives on the excitement of change.
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“You love to set and achieve goals,” says Matthews. Competitive by nature (whether with yourself or peers), you need to go after something and see results. Sign up for an event and use that as your motivator. That could be a 10K, half or full marathon, or an obstacle or relay race. “These are the people whose leadership qualities come out—so they’re often coordinating group training runs,” she says.
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Sure, you’re probably type A, but another facet of this is the thrill of knowing information. “These people want all the details before making a decision,” says Matthews. You’d be best off hooking up with a trainer who can provide you with the science behind why you should grab the kettlebells one day and go for a nice, long run on another day.
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Go for high-energy, high-intensity exercise. “You need your workout to be your break from everyday life and help you tune out mentally,” says Matthews. CrossFit might be perfect for you because it will push you to work super hard while providing the structure found in a class, she says.
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You might not feel fully comfortable in a high-octane group class, and that’s totally fine. An at-home workout with an on-demand video will suit you well, or head to the gym for some time on your cardio machine of choice. “Often introverted personalities come with a very rational, research-oriented brain. You want to do things on your own but also want to make sure what you’re doing really works,” she says. (Try Women’s Health’s 20-Minute Workouts DVD for a quickie at-home workout that will give you serious results.)
When you’re a self-described “people person” you want to be around…well, people. “You thrive on social support and camaraderie found in group classes,” says Matthews. Maybe it’s busting a move in bright spandex at Zumba or simmering down in a restorative yoga class, it all works for you. And that’s a good thing. “Being with like-minded people and getting that social support can play a pivotal role in keeping up a reigmen,” she says. Now go get ‘em!
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