Why some people love to go to the gym and others don’t

You’re not alone. You’re certainly not the only one. According to new research, it may have less to do with motivation and more to do with your personality…

The latest study published by University College London. Frontiers in PsychologyThe personality traits we possess can predict the type of exercise that we will enjoy and how beneficial it is. This study, published in July 2025 suggests that our personality traits can help us determine what kind of exercise we’ll enjoy, as well as how much we’ll benefit from it. Researchers tracked 132 participants for eight weeks during a home-based strength and cycling programme. They found that personality played a major role in fitness improvement and enjoyment of workouts.

In their report, the authors noted that “personality traits were a strong predictor of baseline fitness and enjoyment of different intensity levels of exercise.”

It’s not that you are lazy. You may just be wired in a different way.

Extroverts are born to burn calories quickly

The study found extroverted individuals (outgoing people, who enjoy being around other people and gain energy through social interaction) are more likely to enjoy HIIT workouts. These people not only had higher baseline cardio fitness, but they also felt the most energized after short and intense sessions. This is consistent with other findings that have linked extroversion and a desire for stimulation to thrill-seeking.

While extroverts did well in the post-intervention tests, they also returned less often, which could indicate that they have lost interest in repetitive and overly structured programmes.

Neurotics: Quiet achievers

On the opposite end of the spectrum, those with high neuroticism levels (people who often experience negative emotions, such as anxiety and worry) showed less enthusiasm during the lab-based exercises, particularly those that included long or intense efforts in front researchers. The twist is that despite the discomfort they experienced, their stress levels dropped the most after the program.

“Participants who scored high on neuroticism reported a greater decrease in stress after the intervention,” the study found, indicating that those prone to anxiety and overthinking might quietly gain the most from consistent exercise – even if they enjoy it the least.

They also preferred to do their workouts privately at home and did not like being monitored by others. But they did show up and complete the plan. This shows that a low-pressure atmosphere may be key to this group’s long-term success.

Consistent, but cautious: Conscientious individuals

You may be in the conscientious group if you follow a strict routine, track your steps and set health goals. This study showed that the individuals who participated in this study had higher levels weekly of activity, and a healthier baseline. This included lower body weight and improved muscular endurance.

The programme was a success, but participants were not the most improved. Researchers suggested that this group of individuals might already be so active that prescribed sessions would actually be less difficult than their regular routines. They were still the most consistent in terms of commitment and showing up.

Open-mindedness: less intensity

Unexpectedly, participants with high scores on open-mindedness rated more strenuous sessions as less favorable. Although they were more inclined to attend the follow-up test, they also seemed to prefer less intensive and more exploratory exercises. This could be due to a greater tolerance for physical activity or a dislike of repetitive or traditional exercises.

Yoga: the most agreeable of all types

Yoga and other low-intensity exercises are more enjoyable for those who are cooperative and kind. However, there was no strong link between physical improvement or program adherence.

This research challenges the idea that exercise should be universally applicable. We might enjoy workouts more and stick to them for longer if we customize them according to our personality type. Finding the time to exercise is not enough. You also need to find the right kind of movement. Right How to move? You can also find out more about us on our website..

Give yourself a rest the next time that you feel bad about not attending your friend’s CrossFit class with a plus-one. Maybe gyms should match people with classes, like dating apps.

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