Unused gym memberships, running shoes whose treads grip nothing but the closet floor. Who hasn't abandoned a noble vow to exercise at one time or another? Though you may think your disinterest in shaping up is a matter of sloth, sometimes even the best-laid workout plans are doomed to fail simply because the exercise we've chosen clashes with our personality.
After all, you wouldn't expect a social butterfly to relish the loneliness of the long-distance runner. That's why James Gavin, Ph.D., a psychologist at Montreal's Concordia University, considers seven aspects of character before recommending an exercise program to his clients. After assessing their competitiveness, sociability, motivation, sense of adventure, spontaneity, aggressiveness, and ability to focus, Gavin matches their disposition to particular activities. For example, a motivated, adventurous loner who shuns competition might be best suited for hiking or cross-country running.
