What's your physical personality?

Sweaty and out of breath, sophomore Kemmie Mitzell sets the elliptical machine at its highest speeds and inclines, surpassing all those around her. After a half-hour, she stops and makes a beeline to the bikes, where she works her legs even more.\nMitzell describes herself as determined, goal-oriented, independent and self-driven.\n"I'm a very energetic person and I like to be challenged," Mitzell said. "I like the intensity of a workout because the higher the intensity, the better the workout. I like a good challenge."\nWhether Mitzell realizes it or not, her fitness routine may have a direct relationship with her personality. \nA personality assessment is essential when designing a fitness program that will be successful for the individual, according to a December 2004 study conducted by Dr. James Gavin at Concordia University in Quebec. Currently, more than 60 percent of American adults do not receive enough physical activity and more than 20 percent are not active at all, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This study could reveal why so many people find it difficult to stick to regular fitness routines.\nFor his report, Gavin studied nearly 700 members of a community fitness center using the criteria of seven personality traits: sociability, spontaneity, self-motivation, aggressiveness, competitiveness, mental focus and risk taking. His results showed a direct relationship between certain forms of activity and personality traits.\nFor example, people interested in karate scored higher in aggressiveness, competitiveness, risk taking and spontaneity compared to those who participate in aerobic dance, yoga or running. \nFor IU students trying to find that perfect exercise routine to ready themselves for spring break, the University offers opportunities through the Health Center and the Student Recreational Sports Center to help them select a program targeted to their unique personalities.\n"I think clients would be more successful in their fitness endeavors if their trainers took personality type into consideration," said Cara McGowan, a fitness specialist at the IU Health Center and group exercise teacher at the Student Recreational Sports Center.\nMcGowan said when it comes to fitness, the majority of people can be categorized into two different types: structured and unstructured.\n"Those who are structured are routine-oriented, have good time-management organization skills and pay attention to detail," McGowan said. "They are highly motivated, often the ones getting straight A's in school.\n"Those who are unstructured are laid-back and carefree, and they are the type of people who leave an exercise program because it is too rigid or boring."\nMcGowan also observed differences between people who exercise alone as opposed to groups. She said most people who exercise in groups are content without power, often needing accountability and group cohesion to stick with a program.\nIn contrast, those who exercise alone may like to be in control and independent, typically seeking leadership and executive positions in their careers, she said.\nTo determine different personality traits, the personal training program at the SRSC provides initial consultation meetings as an opportunity for both the trainer and the client to get acquainted and ask questions. These meetings also provide the trainer with valuable information to plan a specialized exercise program for the client.\nBased on the client's history of exercise, diet, medications and specific goals, personal trainers can get an accurate health analysis. Through the process, they can also assess a fitness routine that correlates with the client's personality.\nChristy Shimp, a personal trainer at the SRSC, said she pays close attention to the personality traits of her clients. She said there is not always a clear-cut personality type in regard to every fitness activity.\nFor example, Shimp said many people who do cardiovascular workouts go to yoga sessions as well. Also she said people who attend group exercise classes at the SRSC have all types of different personalities and fitness levels.\n"In my trekking class, I see tons of 'driven' individuals who tend to be exercise-aggressive," she said. "These walkers and runners want to push themselves and be pushed more than they thought they could." \nIU graduate student Kristina Neely, a certified health and fitness instructor through American College of Sports Medicine, said personal motivation plays a huge role in an individual's adherence to an exercise plan.\n"Some folks are internally driven, and their motivation for exercise is intrinsic," she said. "Others are more extrinsically driven and I find that it's these folks that have more of a battle with the commitment to health and fitness because they tend to expect results overnight."\nNeely recommended first-timers "start small." She said exercise is a learned behavior, and it takes perseverance to stick to a program and make lifestyle changes. \n"When designing a fitness program, I make certain that the exercise program is enjoyable and includes activities that the individual prefers," Neely said. "It's not reasonable to ask someone to commit to a fitness program based on jogging if the individual hates to run."\nAnne Reese, director of health and wellness education at the IU Health Center said, "I think it's kind of intuitive that different people like different activities."\nShe recommended people who are new to exercise find an activity they can stick with for life, such as walking, swimming or yoga. \n"If (your fitness routine) doesn't match your lifestyle, it won't take," Reese said. "The most important thing for an effective exercise program is to find something that you'll really like because then you'll stick with it and results will show in the long haul."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Lyssa Rebholz at lrebholz@indiana.edu.