Plymouth’s Exercise Personalities

You’re another year older with another New Year’s resolution to hit the gym. Instead of attending the same class or applying that familiar routine that you deserted last year, why not find exercises that fit you and your schedule—to be more specific, your individualized fitness profile? According to fitness instructor Polly Caprio of Plymouth Creek Athletic Club, “The most successful approach to exercise is when people find an exercise that they enjoy and approach it with moderation—eventually it will build into habit. You know you’ve found success when exercise becomes natural and routine, like brushing your teeth.”

According to Suzanne Brue, author of 8 Colors of Fitness, “Identifying your exercise personality can enable you to live a more active life.” Brue developed the first exercise personality system based off the principles of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Use the chart below based on her book to find your shade. Go with your first answer, or choose what you naturally prefer at least 51 percent of the time:

I consider myself to be goal-oriented.

A: No way.

B: Definitely.

When it comes to planning, I ...

A: love mapping my workouts.

B: loathe or seldom plan workouts—I just go with the flow.

Workout style: scheduled vs. spontaneous?

A: Scheduled.

B: Spontaneous.

My perfect exercise environment is …

A: just me and my thoughts—calm and tranquil.

B: filled with people and charged with energy.

The most motivating exercise setting is …

A: a natural setting—mountains, trees, water.

B: a space for  reflection and creativity.

C: clean and organized.

During exercise, I prefer to ...

A: keep to myself and remained focus.

B: mix in some socializing, but only if it fits with my exercise.

C: keep to myself, zoning out and reconnecting my thoughts.

D: partake in friendly competition.

E: talk only with likeminded people.

I enjoy going to a gym where “everybody knows your name.”

A: I love it—it provides that small-town feel.

B: NO—I’d rather be Waldo, immersed in a mass of look-alikes.

If I had to choose between running or dancing, hands down I’d always pick …

A: dancing.

B: running.

I’m usually at fault for ... 

A: becoming distracted.

B: being a distraction—I can turn anything into fun.

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