Check out the DIETnosis.com description of the Enneagram Exercise Types.
TYPE ONE: THE CRUSADER
Type Ones have a Plodding Activity Style. They tend to have a “No Pain-No Gain” attitude and a lack of variety in their exercise routines (Low Openness). They tend to feel that exercise has to be boring, repetitive, or painful. They are a Complaint Type that looks outside of themselves for motivations and goals through doctors, coaches or friends. They desire autonomy and fear being wrong or bad (unhealthy). With these traits in mind, Type Ones are motivated by “doing the right thing” and living a righteous and healthy life (autonomous from illness). When compared to other highly active Types such as Threes or Eights they are less extroverted more concerned about health than notoriety, strength or success.
TYPE TWO: THE CHEERLEADER
Type Twos are another Complaint Type that tends to look outside themselves for goals and feedback. Their Activity Style tends to be more like the Fun-Lovers than the Go-Getters – preferring non-competitive and enjoyable activities. They attempt to earn attention and love in their lives through service. This manifests in helpful chores and activities. They fear being unloved or unwanted and this may have an effect of image consciousness, however, their confidence in their ability to serve others and earn attention usually outweighs this concern. Common fitness motivations may revolve around doctors’ recommendations to be healthy or lose weight. Overall Type Two’s tend to not be as active as Type Eights and Threes.
TYPE THREE: THE CLIMBER
Type Three’s have a Go-Getter Activity Style. They are both extroverted and conscientious which translates into them being quite active and physically successful when compared to other Types. They are an Assertive Type and approach their goals directly with gusto. They are able to push themselves extremely far and train to a high intensity in order to attain their goals. Their desire for attention and fear being unworthy of praise motivated them to achieve social recognition, to better their appearance and win competitions.
TYPE FOUR: THE DANCER
Type Fours are withdrawn Types and tends to have a Lethargic Activity Style. When compared to Type Nines they are relatively more active and participate in more fun social activities. They desire attention and attempt to gain it through withdrawing and being rescued. They tend to be agreeable to physical activities when people rescue them and help them “come out of their shells.” They may focus on a unique or expressive sport or activity in order to calm their fears of being common. Their introverted personalities are not motivated by physical feats of strength or competition but more by activities that include mind-body work, provide stress reduction or meditation like yoga, tai chi or qigong.
TYPE FIVES: THE BIRD WATCHER
Type Fives tend to have a Lethargic Activity Style. Fives withdraw from others in order to feel secure and safe. They limit their needs so as to decrease their vulnerabilities and dependencies. Some Fives may actually relish in their weight in order to seclude themselves from the demands of others. Due to their mental pursuits and lack of physicality they tend to have low expectations regarding their physical abilities. Fives fear being incompetent or helpless and withdraw into their minds in an attempt to gain an advantage or skill through knowledge. The key to Fives motivation to instill the concern about their physical selves, that the mind and body are interconnected, and that health in the body will improve their mental prowess and longevity. Fives do tend to have a higher “Conscientiousness” and a lower “Agreeableness” then other withdrawn Types and can become a well-practiced and formidable foe in their favorite game or activity.
TYPE SIX: THE GOALIE
Type Six is another Complaint Type that tends to look outside themselves for goals and feedback such as through a team sport with a coach. Their Activity Style tends to be more like the Plodders than the Go-Getters – in that they tend look at working out like a duty or a job, tend to approach fitness with a slow methodical approach and tend to have a lack of variety in their exercise routines (Low Openness). Since they desire security their fitness motivations are likely related to maintaining health and preventing illness. A Type Six may think of their bodies like doing upkeep on a car. This security orientation can also be a hindrance to high success or being in the spotlight as they tend to be highly affected by stress.
TYPE SEVEN: THE PLAYER
Type Sevens have a Fun-Loving Activity Style that means they are full of energy and spontaneity. They are Extroverted but not Conscientious which translates into Type Sevens participating for the entertainment, enjoyment or adventurous aspect of physical activity. Sevens strength of “Openness” may also be a hindrance to constructive advancement in any particular sport as they may experiment with many different activities. Sevens desire security and fear deprivation, this translates into freedom and ability to obtain the objects of their desire. Although this is similar to the Eights, the Sevens don’t have the same focus on strength and control of others. Sevens definitely enjoy the challenging aspects physical activities and sports but competition with Sevens is light hearted and for the fun of it, not to show who is stronger or “better.”
TYPE EIGHT: THE BRAWLER
Type Eights have a Go-Getter Activity Style and attack their goals directly. They have intrinsic motivations and are mature in their ability to see mistakes as a learning opportunity. They demand autonomy and fear of being harmed or controlled by others. Therefore, Eights want to be strong, resilient and independent. They focus on strength building, competing in combatives or contact sports and challenging others to prove their dominance.
TYPE NINE: THE EASY RIDER
Type Nines have a Lethargic Activity Style that is unenthusiastic, uninitiating passive and only responds to the most pressing demands. They attempt to gain autonomy by withdrawing because they cannot be themselves or voice their opinions as it may cause conflict. Nines conversely fear separation and loss so that even though they withdraw they avoid burning bridges. Nines lack of internal motivation can be overcome, therefore, by external peer pressure to be active. They prefer non-judgmental and non-competitive activities. The more fun they are the more likely they are to return to it. They do best in military environments where they are forced to maintain a modicum of fitness and exercise is with a group. They may have health scares that cause fleeting desires for improvement but they tend to feel that their health is beyond their control due to many prior failed self-improvement attempts. Nines may be most successful with humble short-term goals, such as stress reduction nature-walks, and other low intensity aerobics.
Please comment below for continued improvement.
Scott Mark Harrington D.O., 17 JUN 2012
