What's Your Exercise Personality

With fashion and conspiracy theories, trend is everything. And the fitness industry is not one to be left out of the club.

One day it’s Tae-Bo, the next it’s Pilates. One day you’re sweating on the stair climber, the next you’re climbing a rock wall.

It may seem a bit frustrating at times, but look on the bright side: With all of the choices, there has to be something out there for you.

The trick is to find an exercise routine that you will stick with. Forget about the magic of a certain method. The only magic that exists in fitness is elevating your heart rate and strengthening your muscles. And you can do that a thousand different ways.

Masterminds
You are the intellectual one, the analyst of the group. The jazz class is probably not going to do anything for you. You need to go for something challenging that you can master. You are also a bit competitive, so why not go for a sport such as racquetball or tennis?

If you don’t feel like challenging a person, then try challenging something else, like a huge rock wall or a bicycle. There are many sports that will challenge you and that you can master. And, as you know, once you get started, you’re not going to stop until you are the champion.

You also are at your prime in the morning, so why not start the day with a workout?

Starry-eyed dreamers
You are the emotional one, the touchy-feely type. You probably have a difficult time sticking with that Pilates DVD. As a matter of fact, you need motivation and you need a lot of it.

The key to getting you going is to surround yourself with a network of support. You do well with an exercise partner or enrolling in a class. You love socializing with others, so why not incorporate that into your fitness routine?
The time of day is not nearly as important as the motivation to exercise. Make a commitment to another person, and stay true to it. Meet up for an evening walk or run.

You also love the feeling of tuning up your spirit as well as your mind, so yoga or tai chi may be a great option for you.

Mother hens
You are the traditional one, and you like to do things by the book. You love routine. Once you get started, staying committed is no problem at all. Setting aside a block of time a few days a week to hit the gym would work great once you make it a permanent part of your schedule.

The trick for you will be to make it a habit. Give it a month, and you will be in the swing of it. If the gym is too much effort, then find a block of time when you can work out with a video at home. Just realize that the biggest effort of all will be getting started. Once you are over the initial hump, your persistence will pay off.
Evenings may be a perfect time for you because the workday will be behind you. Although your heart will be pumping, your mind will be unwinding.

Creative spirits
You are the artistic one, the performer of the group. The trick for you is variety. You get bored quite easily with a workout routine and, when the excitement wears off, you will find any excuse in the book to avoid putting on those cross trainers.
Throw some spice into your routine by doing the old switcharoo. Do your abs workout one week and then dust off that treadmill the next. Try some dance classes for a while and then throw in a hula workout just for kicks. The variety will keep you from getting bored, and before you know it those saddlebags will be hitting the trails.

Try scheduling some afternoon workouts or setting aside some time in the morning before the day carries you away with activity.