It is no secret I love personality assessments and if you have talked to me ever, you probably have heard me talk about the Enneagram test. This is my latest and greatest of the personality assessments out there. I have found that it is one of the most accurate and full assessments of a person’s personality and the behaviors that result.
So what is it? After taking the test, you will find you are you will be assigned a number 1 through 9. Each number has a role that associates with it. Here are the 9 and some characteristics of each type.
- The Reformer: principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.
- The Helper: generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing, and possessive.
- The Achiever: adaptable, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.
- The Individualist: expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.
- The Investigator: perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.
- The Loyalist: engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.
- The Enthusiast: spontaneous, versatile, acquisitive, and scattered.
- The Challenger: self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.
- The Peacemaker: receptive, reassuring, complacent, and resigned.
Keep in mind that not one personality type is better than the other and each type has its strengths and weaknesses. The numbers are not rankings and the key words that describe each type do not necessarily completely reflect on you as a person! To find your type, click here to take the test!
So how does this apply to exercising? Your type can influence everything about you including how you get motivated to workout, what types of workouts really speak to you and even who you should workout with. Recently we teamed up with Enneagram coach Jackie Brewster and put together tips for exercising for your enneagram type.
That link will take you to Instagram where you can see 3 prompts per type to help you stay accountable and ENJOY working out.
BUT we didn’t stop there. We also made a FREE workout program for each Enneagram type!
THE REFORMER – ENNEAGRAM
Because the reformer is so self-controlled and purposeful, a One should pick an exercise method that tailors to that. This could be anything from yoga, to a barre class, or any workout that requires discipline and focus.
As a reformer, you do no like being in the wrong, but rather having integrity. It is going to be important for you to put a focus on how the workout can make you healthier rather than the focusing on how you can lift more than anyone in the gym.
Read more about the intention behind your workout by reading our 5 TECHNIQUE TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WORKOUT.
THE HELPER – ENNEAGRAM
Just as the name suggests, the helper is a people-pleaser that enjoys being there for someone even if that just means for a workout. This suggests that a helper chooses an exercise that requires them to have accountability to their partner.
This could be anything from partner tennis, to just going to the gym with a friend, or even partner yoga (yes, that’s a thing). The important thing is to find a workout where you feel wanted and appreciated, which are your core desires as a two.
We love partner workouts within our gym! Be sure to check out our Instagram and give us a follow for more workout ideas with a partner!
THE ACHIEVER – ENNEAGRAM
Achievers are already known for being very motivated, dedicated, and driven. This can definitely apply to exercise. As a three, your core desire to be successful and valuable. In terms of choosing your workout, this means that you are going to want to choose something that allows you to reach a goal.
Whether this is working toward a long-term goal (training to win a marathon) or a short-term (taking a competitive cycling class), it is in a three’s best interest to put themselves in a workout that pushes them to be the best! Check out our FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE JOURNAL for the perfect place to track your goals!
THE INDIVIDUALIST – ENNEAGRAM
As the name entails, you long to separate yourself from the crowd. Four’s look to be unique and original. Your workouts should not be any different! Group fitness is definitely NOT the way to go as an individualist.
Anything where you can be alone and separate from the crowd is definitely going to be more your vibe. This could be running outdoors or working out in your home gym. I have some great ideas for building a FAIL-PROOF WORKOUT at home. If you have to go the group class route, yoga is not a bad option because although everyone is in one room, they are for the most part in their own zone!
THE INVESTIGATOR – ENNEAGRAM
Investigators are the ones to research and be the most knowledgeable in the room. If you are a 5, you crave to become an expert in whatever task you undertake. So whatever exercise method you choose, you are most likely going to dive into researching technique to make sure you are doing it right.
Suggestions for workouts where knowing technique would be helpful would be something like a Pilates class or some different lifting (power, Olympic) where technique is emphasized and important for success! A five is also going to want to know why and what benefits their workout is bringing them!
THE LOYALIST – ENNEAGRAM
(This one is me!!) Loyalists crave to have security, guidance, and support. In terms of exercise this means a six will crave structure and routine! This will involve planning out your workouts in advance and programming so that each day is consistent week to week.
Any sort of group class that is consistent from session to session (yoga, cycling, etc.) would be perfect for a loyalist. In addition, maybe running with the same route only with slight variations each time is great for a six! Find where you as a six feel safe to reach your potential in terms of exercise.
This is MY GO TO WORKOUT and trust me, sixes, you’re going to want to check out my tips for feeling comfortable at the gym.
THE ENTHUSIAST – ENNEAGRAM
Seven’s are the life of the party! As an enthusiast you are generally spontaneous and fun-loving, but your core desires are to be fully satisfied and content. This mean leaning into your love for being around people and keeping that high energy!
For your workout, this means finding something at a higher intensity, faster pace, and with people. This could be anything from a boxing class to Zumba, to high-intensity interval training with friends. These are great ways work out, have fun, and get creative!
THE CHALLENGER – ENNEAGRAM
Just as the name says, a challenger is confident, confrontational, and powerful. As an eight your workouts shouldn’t look any different! Challengers, exercise is a great opportunity to feel powerful and achieve your need to protect yourself and others.
A boxing class would definitely be up your ally as well! Power lifting would be another great option for you to feel like you are getting the most out of your workout. Any workout routine where you feel like you’re at a high adrenaline point is a great option for you! For a personality that reaches for power, eights are right at home at the gym, meeting their goals head on.
THE PEACEMAKER – ENNEAGRAM
Last, but not least, the nines! As a peacemaker, you tend to be easygoing and agreeable, so maybe boxing isn’t quite your speed. Your core need is to have inner stability and peace of mind. Some may say that yoga would be perfect for this (I would agree), but I think there is more to that!
This doesn’t mean you cannot get a great sweaty workout in! Finding peace can be in a long outdoor run, or even lifting in a gym where your headphones drown out the chaos around you. Whatever it may be, be sure to fulfill that peace of mind.
Jane is a type nine and this is her go-to workout with her GLUTE AND HAMSTRING EXERCISES I ALWAYS DO. Doesn’t have to be an easy workout to fit this type!
EXERCISING FOR YOUR ENNEAGRAM TYPE
Keep in mind not every characteristic of each type is going to exactly fit with your personality (you are the only you of course)! I do think, however, your personality makes you who you are, so why wouldn’t we learn as much about what makes you tick as possible!?
In case you were not convinced to take the test before, check out this link again to find your type. Also check out some of my favorite artists that dive deeper into enneagram personality types. Feel free to share their artwork, but please tag these small businesses in your reposts!
- Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober (@enneagramashton)
- Jackie Seibert Brewster (@enneagramwithjb)
- Enneagram Explained (@enneagramexplained)
- ashton | enneagrams + letters (@ashton.creates)
So with that in mind, use this information to choose the best method of exercise possible. Ultimately it is trial and error, but do whatever makes you happy and excited to exercise!
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