What’s the Best Exercise for Your Personality?
I recently read an article that claimed “Don’t like going to the gym? It could be your personality”. The older I get, the less I care about going to the gym or exercising. *heavy sigh* But I realize it’s more important than ever, especially for the health benefits (vs appearance). So as someone who has a constant mental wrestling match with my lazy self to get in gear and exercise, this topic and the findings from this study were actually quite helpful to me.
I do really think exercise can be key to an improved quality of life, and making exercise part of your self care can do wonders.
According to the study by the British Psychological Society, the effectiveness of someone’s exercise regime may depend on their individual personality type. And get this: outdoor activities are the ideal option for you creative types.
Best Exercise for YOUR Personality
The study found that matching an individual’s personality type to a particular type of exercise can increase both the effectiveness and the person’s enjoyment of it.
For example:
Are you extroverted?
–> Your personality personality type is more likely to prefer exercising at the gym.
Do you prefer objective logic?
–> You are more likely to stick with a regimented exercise plan than those who view feelings and values as being more important.
Are you creative minded?
–> You are much better suited to outdoor activities such as cycling and running when compared to a structured gym regime.
I thought that was cool! If you have to fight yourself desperately to get to the gym, maybe it’s not just the exercise your brain is objecting to. It might just be that you need to move your body in another place, and another way… like riding your bike outdoors.
Where the Study Was Presented
This key finding of research being presented by John Hackston, Chartered Psychologist and Head of Thought Leadership at OPP, at the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon.
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