What the Enneagram Taught Me About Fitness Motivation
For a long time, I dismissed the Enneagram as just another self-help trend.
It felt like a horoscope—vague enough for anyone to relate to—and I assumed people answered how they wanted to see themselves rather than revealing anything profound about their true psychology.
Then, my perspective shifted while on a vacation with my extended family.
After dinner one night, we started talking about personality types, and one by one, we took an online quiz and shared our results.
The descriptions fit each person perfectly.
Suddenly, my family members' quirks and tendencies made a bit more sense. I realized they weren't choosing to be frustrating or annoying—it was just how they were wired. Me included.
That was the first time the Enneagram had my attention. Then, it came up again the other night with my wife.
I was on my spin bike, hammering through a workout while she was settling in for a relaxing evening in her cozy pants.
She asked, "How are you so motivated?"
That question made me think. Why was I exercising that night instead of watching a movie with a glass of wine?
The answer: because my training plan said so. Skipping a workout would mean leaving a box unchecked. On top of that, I wanted to impress people with my marathon time, I liked that my wife saw me as disciplined, and yeah, I wanted the kudos on Strava.
I realized that my reasons aligned perfectly with the Enneagram type that I identified with that night many years prior.
As a Type 3 (The Achiever), I'm driven by success and external validation. And my wing Type 1, which influences my approach, applied my need for structure and goal-setting.
That workout wasn't a necessarily a testament to my iron will—it simply aligned with my internal programming.
So that got me thinking:
What if fitness motivation isn't about willpower? What if it's about playing to your natural strengths and tendencies?
What's Your Motivator?
To try this for yourself, do an online search for Enneagram assessment. You'll find plenty of free options that only take about 10 minutes to complete.
Now, I'm not an expert on this, so I asked Dr. Chat GPT, PhD, to provide some motivational strategies based on the nine Enneagram types.
Here's what I got back.
Type 1: The Perfectionist – Follow a Structured Plan
You thrive on discipline and clear guidelines. Having a structured workout program with measurable progress will keep you engaged.
Best Strategy: Create a detailed workout schedule and track your progress in a journal or app.
Type 2: The Helper – Make It About Others
You're driven by connection and service, so working out alone might feel empty.
Best Strategy: Partner with a workout buddy or join a community fitness group.
Type 3: The Achiever – Set Competitive Goals
You love success, so make fitness a way to measure and showcase progress.
Best Strategy: Set ambitious fitness goals with milestones and rewards.
Type 4: The Individualist – Make It Meaningful
Routine workouts can feel uninspiring to you, so find an activity that connects with your emotions and creativity.
Best Strategy: Choose exercises that feel personal and emotionally fulfilling.
Type 5: The Investigator – Learn the Science
You're naturally curious, so understanding the why behind fitness will keep you engaged.
Best Strategy: Approach exercise as an experiment and track your data.
Type 6: The Loyalist – Find a Support System
Accountability is key for you. A strong community, a reliable workout partner, or a coach who keeps you on track will provide the consistency you need.
Best Strategy: Join a fitness class, hire a coach, or follow a trusted training program.
Type 7: The Enthusiast – Keep It Fun and Varied
You get bored easily, so doing the same workout repeatedly won't cut it. Keeping fitness adventurous and exciting will help you stick with it.
Best Strategy: Change up your workouts frequently and try new activities.
Type 8: The Challenger – Make It Intense
You love pushing yourself, so a laid-back approach won't work.
Best Strategy: Choose workouts that challenge and push your limits.
Type 9: The Peacemaker – Make It Low-Pressure and Enjoyable
You struggle with inertia, so the key is to find a routine that feels natural and stress-free.
Best Strategy: Focus on enjoyable, low-pressure workouts with built-in routine.
Don't Overthink It
This experiment certainly isn't a scientific assessment, nor is it a rigid personality label, but hopefully, it will provide you with some introspection to recognize your natural strengths and motivations.
If you've struggled with consistency in fitness, maybe the problem isn't effort—it's approach. Find the strategy that fits you, and motivation might come easier than you think.
