The Best Workout For Your Personality
If dragging yourself to the gym feels like a chore, the issue might not be motivation, but misalignment. Matching your workout to your personality type could be the missing link to making exercise feel less like a task and more like a reward.
In one 2025 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers looked at several different personality traits like being extroverted, conscientious, or neurotic. They found that certain types of exercise seemed best suited to these dominant personality traits—and people who chose physical activities that matched their personality enjoyed their workout more, stuck to it more consistently, and even improved more than people who picked a workout that didn't sync up as well to their personality.
Of course, the best workout for you is whichever one gets you moving. But if you're curious how to sync your workout to your personality, read on.
How your personality can shape your best workout
Every kind of exercise is good for you on a cellular level. It stimulates the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. But if you can find a type you actually want to do, the psychological payoff goes deeper than brain chemistry.
A 2021 study found that intrinsic motivation—when you're driven by internal factors like personal growth, autonomy, and enjoyment—was more strongly associated with consistent exercise habits than external motivation like weight loss or appearance goals. In other words, when your workout satisfies a core emotional or psychological need (or really just feels like you), you're more likely to keep coming back.
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Research shows that tailoring your exercise to your personality can also boost your performance. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who chose exercise routines that aligned with their personality traits were significantly more likely to perform better overall and stick with their programs over time.
The best exercises for extroverts
Extroverts are characterized by being outgoing and sociable, so they thrive on energy and interaction. Workouts that feel like an active hangout are perfect, says Jenna Willis, celebrity trainer and wellness coach.
'Extroverts need that little healthy competition to push through that extra pushup,' she says. 'I always say my workouts feel like you're training with your bestie who just happened to bring dumbbells and a solid playlist. That kind of energy keeps extroverts engaged and hyped.'
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That's also what the researchers found in the latest study: extroverts tended to gravitate toward HIIT, spin, boot-camp classes, and team sports, because this format allowed them to feed off of others' energy and competition.
'It's not just about what burns the most calories,' says Willis. 'It's about what keeps you coming back. And honestly, if you're laughing through your lunges, no matter how bad the burn you're more likely to show up tomorrow.'
The best exercises for introverts
Introverts tend to prefer solitary activities and quiet environments, thriving when they can focus inward without feeling like they're performing for others, says Gillian Almeida, vice president of strategy and insights at Solidcore, a Pilates-style workout with classes across the U.S.
'The key is finding something that feels like 'me time' rather than social time,' she says. 'Yoga, swimming laps, hiking, 'or even traditional weight lifting where you can put in headphones and zone out' fosters the perfect inward focus.'
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Research also shows that introverts enjoy methodical and repetitive workouts, where they know exactly what to expect. This can look like running or walking along the same trails or practicing tai chi. The Frontiers in Psychology study found that introverts were more likely to enjoy gentle, private exercises, like a solo walk or light home-based workouts. These workouts offer introverts autonomy, space, and a calming pace—supporting both physical health and emotional regulation.
'That said, some introverts surprise themselves by loving group fitness classes once they realize it's not about being the center of attention,' says Almeida. 'It's more like being part of something bigger while still having your own individual experience.'
The best exercises for people with anxiety
For someone who feels anxious or worried, quieter, low-pressure environments can make workouts more enjoyable.
'This can look like working out alone in your apartment gym, doing at-home workouts, yoga, swimming, tennis, golf, or any activity with a calm, focused vibe,' says Akin Akman, co-founder and CEO of AARMY, a fitness center featuring cycle and bootcamp classes.
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Like introverts, people with anxiety tend to enjoy slower-paced exercises and workouts in smaller settings or completely alone. The latest study found that this group thrived when doing private, low-intensity, and non-intimidating workouts; they were more likely to incorporate this into their routine compared to high-intensity group fitness classes.
Research shows that exercise of any type for those with anxiety can significantly help. One study found that regular physical activity helps reduce anxiety by lowering stress hormones like cortisol and increasing calming neurotransmitters.
'Movement is seriously underrated therapy, especially when anxiety shows up uninvited,' says Willis. 'Sometimes, you just need to move through it.'
Contact us at letters@time.com.
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