Once, a friend of mine, Kashish, said, “I’ve joined gyms three times. I never made it past week two. Maybe I’m just not made for exercise.” But here’s the thing: she wasn’t the problem. The problem was that every workout she tried went against her personality. She is not alone. According to the World Health Organisation (2022), fewer than 1 in 4 adults meet recommended physical activity levels. What if the key to consistency is not motivation, but personalisation?

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Your Personality Holds the Key to Your Fitness Routine

In 2025, researchers at University College London (UCL) decided to dig into this question. Their study, published in Frontiers in Psychology (2025), tracked how different personalities responded to the same eight-week home workout program, and how their enjoyment, stress levels, and fitness changed depending on their traits. The more the workout aligned with someone’s personality, the better their results.

Match Your Workout to Your Trait

1. The Extrovert: Love social energy? Thrive in upbeat environments? Then, solo treadmill time might feel like slow death. Extroverts lit up when doing high-energy group sessions like Zumba, CrossFit, or team sports. The study noted that extroverts ‘thrived’ on shared energy and group accountability. “I practically glow after my dance class,” my extroverted colleague told me, no surprise, her personality is wired for endorphins + community.

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2. The Neurotic or Anxious Type: Do crowded gyms or intense instructors stress you out? You’re not lazy, you might just need peace and space. The UCL study found that individuals high in neuroticism did best with short, low-pressure workouts done in private. They preferred not to be monitored, needed breaks, and benefited most from stress reduction. Real-life proof? One woman swore off fitness for years, until she found belly dancing. “The short bursts of concentrated energy made it easier for me to control my breathing,” she told Prevention (2023).

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3. The Conscientious Planner: If you’ve ever made a spreadsheet for your workouts or never skip leg day, you might be high in conscientiousness. These folks were consistent and fit across the board, regardless of the workout style. Their motivation? Duty and discipline, not dopamine. Still, even the most dedicated gym-goers benefit from the occasional fun switch-up. Don’t be afraid to explore new options that also spark joy.

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4. The Curious and Open-Minded: If you’re the kind of person who signs up for goat yoga just to try it, you’ll probably resonate with this. People high in openness to experience were drawn to novelty. They might not stick to a strict plan, but that’s okay. Their motivation came from curiosity and exploration, not routine. Kashish, the friend I mentioned earlier, eventually fell in love with aerial yoga and Bollywood dance classes. “I like workouts that feel like performance art,” she said.

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5. The Agreeable Peacemaker: This group didn’t show a strong preference in the study, but researchers suspect they go along with friends and group vibes, as long as it is a positive environment. So if you are agreeable, your best workout might be whatever your friends invite you to, so long as you are not pressured into it.

Science Says: Fun > Force

When exercise feels right for your personality, it’s easier to show up. In the UCL study, all participants who finished the eight-week training got fitter, but those who enjoyed their workouts were less likely to drop out and far more likely to feel emotionally better too. Neurotic individuals experienced the biggest drop in stress, with consistent comfortable movement reducing their anxiety significantly more than in other personality types.

What Should You Try?

Ask yourself: 

• Do I recharge alone or with people?
• Do I like structure or variety?
• Do I enjoy being challenged or comforted?

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Then experiment! Try a dance class, a quiet walk in nature, a martial arts session, or yoga on your balcony. Journal how you feel after. Kashish did this weekly, and within a month, she stopped skipping workouts, not because she had to but because she wanted to.

Exercise doesn’t have to be punishment. When it aligns with your quirks, it becomes play, therapy, and maybe even joy. So the next time you dread working out, don’t blame yourself. Ask: Is this activity right for who I am?

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