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What's Your Exercise Personality?
Paying attention to the fit between activity and temperament may boost the likelihood that you'll enjoy the workout. Here's how to find the right match for you.
Thinking about kick-starting a new fitness routine? Before you invest in a new bike or a gym membership, you might want to take a look in the mirror. According to research conducted at the University of Florida, your personality may be a determinant in whether or not you stick with a form of exercise. Check the guidelines below for the type of exercise that may synch best with your personality.
Extroverted: Researchers found that "people" people tended to crave both active and high-intensity workout sessions. Also right up the extrovert alley: listening to music while exercising. A few good courses of action: aerobic interval workouts, circuit training, and high-intensity group-exercise sessions such as spin class.
Highly stressed: According to the study, anxiety-provoked and stressed-out people tend to be least likely to exercise, even though they may benefit the most. Then again, perhaps they're just working out in the wrong venue. The researchers recommend bypassing a gym membership and opting for low-intensity, long-distance cardiovascular exercise. In general, highly stressed people are more open to exercising indoors, so a treadmill or an indoor bike trainer might be a good choice.
Open-minded: People who scored high on the openness scale enjoyed working out with music, but their preference for variety made regularly scheduled aerobics classes a less-than-ideal choice. In general, researchers found that open-minded individuals do better exercising outdoors. Cycling, running, and triathlon training may be good options. To work out with company, these individuals can check out www.teamintraining.org.
Agreeable: In this personality category, researchers found that people had an affinity for morning workout routines. Looking to jump-start an A.M. fitness habit? Eat breakfast. Researchers studying the eating habits of nearly 3,000 people who had lost at least 30 pounds and kept the weight off for over a year discovered that 96% ate breakfast.
Conscientious: These folks tend to be determined when it comes to working out. Interestingly, conscientious individuals like regularly scheduled workout sessions and high-intensity exercise, but would prefer to take charge of their own exercise rather than follow an instructor. One option is to consult with a personal trainer to develop a structured fitness routine that can be executed when it's convenient—either with or without a like-minded partner. A check-in every month with the trainer can help reevaluate progress.
