Find the right workout style for your goals, lifestyle and mindset. Discover Your Fitness Personality

Discovering Your Fitness Personality

Find the right workout style for your goals, lifestyle and mindset.

Have you ever started a fitness routine, only to lose interest or feel like it just wasn’t working for you? You’re not alone. For many people, sticking with exercise can feel like a chore, especially when it doesn’t align with how they’re naturally motivated. The truth is, fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s actually a great thing. Recognizing your own patterns and preferences can help you find a modality of physical activity that works for you.

What Is a Fitness Personality?

Your fitness personality is a reflection of how you’re wired when it comes to exercise—what drives you, what keeps you engaged and what kind of movement will get you to your goals for your body and your life. You can take a short, insightful quiz to help you uncover your “Fitness Profile” here. Based on your answers, you’ll be matched with one of three fitness personality types. Each type brings its own strengths, motivations and strategies for staying active, sustainably and enjoyably.

The Three Fitness Personality Types

Retired Reginald

• Biometrics: Retiree managing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes or joint pain
• Goals: Maintain bone density, stay independent with daily activities, improve balance and manage health conditions
• Time/Schedule: Exercise about 4 times per week
• Exercise Focus: Low-impact aerobic activity, strength training and flexibility work

Robert the Builder

• Biometrics: Healthy working individual with a consistent gym habit
• Goals: Increase muscle mass (hypertrophy), maintain strength
• Time/Schedule: Three to four gym sessions per week
• Exercise Focus: Strength training for hypertrophy, with cardio for balance

Pamela the Parent

• Biometrics: Busy working parent, possibly pre-diagnosis for a chronic condition
• Goals: Weight loss, improved cardio health, increased bone density
• Time/Schedule: Two gym sessions and three short home workouts per week
• Exercise Focus: Cardio, strength training and flexibility

How to apply your profile:

Profile A: Retired Reginald

• Prioritize low-impact exercises like walking, swimming or cycling
• Incorporate strength training to maintain muscle mass and support bone density
• Add balance and flexibility work (like chair yoga or tai chi) to support daily movement and reduce fall risk

Profile B: Robert the Builder

• Follow a structured hypertrophy program with progressive overload
• Focus on compound lifts, proper form and adequate recovery
• Use cardio to maintain heart health without compromising strength goals

Profile C: Pamela the Parent

• Combine cardio and strength training to support weight loss and overall health
• Use home workouts to stay consistent on busy days
• Aim for two dedicated strength sessions per week to build tone and boost metabolism

When your fitness plan matches your personality, it no longer feels like a grind. Instead, it starts to flow, becoming something you want to do rather than have to do. That alignment leads to better consistency, improved results and more satisfaction overall. Keep in mind that these categories aren’t fixed; you might identify with more than one or shift over time depending on your goals, schedule or stress levels. Think of your fitness personality as a compass—not a rulebook—designed to help you move forward with confidence.

If you need a more personalized approach, we’re here to help! You can schedule a fitness consult with one of our exercise specialists on the Wellness Dashboard. You can also meet with other specialists such as a health coach or dietitian. These are free consultations for UK employees and their spouses, so schedule one today!

This article is based on a presentation by Carrie Davidson, Fitness Manager at MoveWell. If you would like to see the presentation, click here!