How Personality Can Shape Fitness Success
Not all workouts are created equal — because not all brains are!
We all know movement is essential. Staying active as we age helps prevent health issues, keeps our bodies strong and helps us feel younger for longer. But here’s the important part: not everyone needs to exercise in the same way to get those benefits.
Over the years we’ve worked with clients of all ages, backgrounds and personalities, including a wide range of neurotypes — and one big thing we’ve learned is that success in fitness has less to do with the exercises themselves and more to do with how well the program aligns with how your brain works.
Think about it: If we designed a workout for someone who thrives on structure, loves plans and lists and is driven by progress tracking — and then handed that same workout to someone who craves variety, gets bored easily and needs flexibility — it might work for the first week or two, or even six weeks. But eventually, they’d likely stop doing the workouts because they just don’t enjoy them. Not because they couldn’t do them, but because the program didn’t fit their brain.
This is why we nerd out on personality and neurotype (or whatever you want to call it). Whether you identify as an introvert or extrovert, ADHD or autistic, neurospicy or neurotypical, it all affects how you interact with the world, how you process motivation and yes, how you best stick to an exercise routine.
So, imagine we’re designing a workout plan for someone we’ll call Alan — an extroverted, creative thinker who likely has ADHD. Here are some things we would take into account while crafting his program:
Alan is creative
He’s really good at focusing for short periods of time, especially on something new and exciting
He does well when he has some sort of regular social interaction
He loses motivation quickly if things stay the same, or if there are no noticeable improvements
He prefers to have options vs absolutes
He needs to understand the “why,” or he won’t adhere to recommendations
He gets distracted if things take too long
He sometimes forgets to workout
So how would we help Alan, or someone like him, succeed? We design the program to work with his brain, not against it. That may include:
Giving choices: Each workout may include two different formats or sections where he can choose exercises and mix it up each time.
Introducing novelty: Changing up parts of the program weekly instead of every six weeks.
Increasing touchpoints: Meeting weekly instead of just at the start and end of the program, since the workouts will be more fun if he’s doing them with a coach.
Making it meaningful: Explaining the why behind exercises and movements.
Making it fun: Letting him name his own program (“Sun’s Out, Guns Out” beats “Workout A” any day).
Supporting forgetfulness: With app reminders and coach check-ins when workouts are missed.
Tracking what really matters: Using regular check-ins and questionnaires to gauge motivation, energy, engagement and progress. This helps us ensure our clients are seeing progress in the right ways, and allows us to pivot in the middle of a program if something isn’t going well.
Fitness should be flexible
There’s no “right” way to exercise. There’s only the right way for you. That’s why we offer different approaches based on how clients naturally think, feel, and stay motivated:
1-on-1 video training – for those who thrive on social interaction, real-time feedback and encouragement.
App-based personalized programs – for those who want structure, accountability and flexibility without constant interaction.
Health habit programs – for those who prefer small steps, lifestyle changes and non-traditional forms of movement.
And now, we’re thrilled to introduce something new: VIVO Strength Club!
For anyone who loves autonomy, variety and guidance (without the rigid structure) this is your happy place. As a member of VIVO Strength Club, you can:
Schedule workouts on your calendar
Track steps and other metrics in one place
Swap workouts whenever you want
Access daily mobility sessions (highly recommended!)
Enjoy new workouts every month
Stick to your favorite routines, or try something totally new
Whether your brain loves structure or craves variety, this is a fitness experience designed to meet you where you are.
Because when your workout matches your mindset, consistency becomes natural.