Is your idea of hell sitting in a 45-minute Peloton class? Have you tried (and failed) to get into running no fewer than seven times? I get it, and it’s not your fault. It’s actually scientifically proven that your exercise preferences—and whether or not your workouts are effective—could be linked to your personality. According to a study led by physchologist John Hackston, “Matching an individual’s personality type to a particular type of exercise can increase both the effectiveness and the person’s enjoyment of it.” Huh, who knew? Here’s the best workout for you, whether you’re an introvert, extrovert or somewhere in between.
The Best Workout for Your Personality Type (Because, Yes, Finding One That's Compatible Makes a Difference)
Are you an introvert, extrovert or somewhere in between?
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Published Jul 31, 2024
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If You're an Extrovert...Try a Bootcamp
Extroverts thrive in competitive, high-energy situations, and I'm willing to guess you prefer exercising at a gym with lots of people around. Try a group class like HIIT, Zumba or a bootcamp workout. You'll sweat alongside your peers, feed off of their energy (and vice versa) and maybe even leave with a new friend or two—I know how you love making new connections.
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If You're an Introvert...Try an Endurance Sport
Introverts who prefer keeping to themselves are often better suited for quieter, head-clearing workouts like running, swimming and outdoor cycling. You thrive on your own and are often highly self-motivated. But, if you don’t want to be surrounded by a ton of people and screaming instructors and aren’t someone who’s good at holding yourself accountable (I'm definitely guilt of this), try working with a personal trainer or going to a calmer, skill-based class like yoga or Pilates where there are people to hold you accountable in a subtler way than, say, a teams-based HIIT class.
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If You're an Ambivert...Try a Spin Class
What is an ambivert? An ambivert is a person who is neither an introvert or an extrovert, but rather some combination of the two. If extroverts draw energy from being around people and introverts draw energy from solitude (putting it very simply, of course), ambiverts are somewhere in the middle.Since your personality is somewhere in the middle, try a workout that matches, like a group class where the emphasis is less on the team aspect. A spin class in a dark room is the perfect happy medium: You’re surrounded by people who will keep you motivated, but you’re also not pressured to interact or work together.
