Workouts Aligned for Your Enneagram Type
If you aren’t an athlete or trainer, it can be hard to stay motivated to consistently workout. I totally get it! But have you ever thought about why it is so challenging? Maybe you haven’t done enough exploration to see what type of fitness is right for you. Here are some examples of how personality can play into our health.
So the First step is to become self-aware. Unfortunately, that is a lifelong journey with no shortcuts, but a personality test and self-education can help speed things up a bit. I personally love the Enneagram and have studied it for the past 3 years. Take ten minutes to take the test. Link here - Enneagram Test
So once you know a bit about yourself, you can learn what motivated your behaviors. The secret is knowing that NO ONE does something for NO REASON. There is always a motivation behind the behavior. This is eye-opening and mind-blowing at that same time. So let's dive into what motivates each personality.
Enneagram Type One
THE REFORMER
The Rational, Idealistic Type:
Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic
Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective or bad
Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced
Key Motivations: Want to be right, to strive higher and improve everything, to be consistent with their ideals, to justify themselves, to be beyond criticism so as not to be condemned by anyone.
So if you are a Reformer, the best type of fitness might be more private such as a home gym, one-on-one training, or outdoor activities. These workouts might feel better to a reformer because it limits the amount of external criticism. If a reformer in a group fitness class, they may think that everyone is watching them, just waiting for them to mess things up, and they can’t have that. So they will be less likely to show up. Plus, they don’t accept the ordinary from themselves or anyone else, and they push themselves to be the best they can be.
Enneagram Type Two
THE HELPER
The Caring, Interpersonal Type:
Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive
Basic Fear: Of being unwanted, unworthy of being loved
Basic Desire: To feel loved
Key Motivations: Want to be loved, to express their feelings for others, to be needed and appreciated, to get others to respond to them, to vindicate their claims about themselves.
As a Helper, the best type of fitness for them might be a group class. They can be challenging, endurance-focused workouts, providing lots of opportunities for Twos to encourage those practicing alongside them.
Enneagram Type Three
THE ACHIEVER
The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type:
Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious
Basic Fear: Of being worthless
Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile
Key Motivations: Want to be affirmed, to distinguish themselves from others, to have attention, to be admired, and to impress others.
Achievers aren’t afraid to put in the work to achieve their goals, especially when they are passionate about the outcome. So HIIT classes or any classes with high energy are going to be their jam! Quite possibly the most competitive personality as well. But they are especially great at helping others achieve their goals. Many great gyms are owned and run by threes!
Enneagram Type Four
THE INDIVIDUALIST
The Sensitive, Introspective Type:
Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental
Basic Fear: That they have no identity or personal significance
Basic Desire: To find themselves and their significance (to create an
identity)
Key Motivations: Want to express themselves and their individuality, to create and surround themselves with beauty, to maintain certain moods and feelings, to withdraw to protect their self-image, to take care of emotional needs before attending to anything else, to attract a "rescuer."
Individualists seek uniqueness, so hiking is a natural fit for Fours. They can feel a deep emotional connection to life itself, and they strive to surround themselves with beauty. They also jump feet first into things such as personal training but quickly burn out because of how “all in” they can become. The key is moderation with anything.
Enneagram Type Five
THE INVESTIGATOR
The Intense, Cerebral Type:
Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated
Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable
Basic Desire: To be capable and competent
Key Motivations: Want to possess knowledge, to understand the environment, to have everything figured out as a way of defending the self from threats from the environment.
Investigators have a strong desire to better understand everything around them and are lifelong learners. So long walks or solo bike rides are right up their alley. This gives them time to process what they have learned or gives them time to learn something new via podcast or audio.
Enneagram Type Six
THE LOYALIST
The Committed, Security-Oriented Type:
Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious
Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance
Basic Desire: To have security and support
Key Motivations: Want to have security, to feel supported by others, to have certitude and reassurance, to test the attitudes of others toward them, to fight against anxiety and insecurity.
Loyalists aren’t fans of surprises, and they thrive on routine. A workout where they know what they will be required to do will keep them coming back for more. They enjoy spending time with others so that personal training might be in their wheelhouse as well. Spin classes with the same instructor or running on a trail they already know is preferred.
Enneagram Type Seven
THE ENTHUSIAST
The Busy, Variety-Seeking Type:
Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and Scattered
Basic Fear: Of being deprived and in pain
Basic Desire: To be satisfied and content—to have their needs fulfilled
Key Motivations: Want to maintain their freedom and happiness, to avoid missing out on worthwhile experiences, to keep themselves excited and occupied, to avoid and discharge pain.
The Enthusiasts LOVE FUN! They have huge FOMO (fear of missing out), so if a group of people does anything fun literally, the sevens will be there! They love outdoor activities, some like solo workouts, but they love to be around people for the most part. One thing for sure is their workouts will be anything but boring.
Enneagram Type Eight
THE CHALLENGER
The Powerful, Dominating Type:
Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational
Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others
Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life
Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.
Challengers know what they want and love being in control. Since control is the theme, anything that is clear and not too tough. They might like to try something new, but only after they already know they can handle it. Strength training, running, or step-by-step instructional workouts would most likely attract them.
Enneagram Type Nine
THE PEACEMAKER
The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type:
Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and Complacent
Basic Fear: Of loss and separation
Basic Desire: To have inner stability, "peace of mind."
Key Motivations: Want to create harmony in their environment, to avoid conflicts and tension, to preserve things as they are, to resist whatever would upset or disturb them.
The Peacemaker is somewhat self-explanatory. They constantly protect their energy and will do almost anything to maintain peace. The workouts that work for them are yoga, solo activities they want to do, such as hikes or walks. Any workout that is a harmonious activity for their mind, body, and soul they will enjoy.
Once you dive into learning about yourself and Practice the workouts that fit you best, you might find a new light and enjoy getting active as it can be life-giving.