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title: The Best Workout For Your Personality
description: Extroverts might need something different than introverts when it comes to fitness.
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author: Lauryn Higgins
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article:published_time: 2025-07-16T18:25:23.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-03-11T01:25:30.561Z
article:section: Health
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt58b9fb2431be0197/6998c85325f3ee0944644d5f/Workout-Personality.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# The Best Workout For Your Personality

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> Last updated: August 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=fd8fd530-18c0-48e8-bbe1-2f768f71b9fc&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | Subscribers | Open rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | 540,000 | 45.6% |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 430,000 | 50.7% |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | 240,000 | 54.1% |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 40,000 | 31.7% |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | 85,000 | 37.0% |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | 40,000 | 34.2% |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | 25,000 | 28.6% |

Source: TIME, August 2026. Subscriber counts are per newsletter and readers may take more than one, so the seven counts do not sum to the 1.1 million+ unique newsletter audience.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Highest open rate | 54.1%, Health Matters | TIME, August 2026 |
| Largest list | 540,000, The Brief | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
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*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=fd8fd530-18c0-48e8-bbe1-2f768f71b9fc&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

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by 

[Lauryn Higgins](https://time.com/author/lauryn-higgins/)


## Lauryn Higgins


Jul 16, 2025 6:25 PM UTC

![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt58b9fb2431be0197/6998c85325f3ee0944644d5f/Workout-Personality.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Photo-Illustration by Chloe Dowling for TIME (Source Images: Leontura/Getty Images, 4x6/Getty Images, fancy.yan/Getty Images, MoMo Productions/Getty Images, LeoPatrizi/Getty Images, Tony Anderson—Getty Images, Oleg Breslavtsev—Getty Images)

by 

[Lauryn Higgins](https://time.com/author/lauryn-higgins/)


## Lauryn Higgins


Jul 16, 2025 6:25 PM UTC

If dragging yourself to the gym feels like a chore, the issue might not be motivation, but misalignment. Matching your workout to your personality type could be the missing link to making exercise feel less like a task and more like a reward.

In one 2025 [study](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1587472/full) published in _Frontiers in Psychology_, researchers looked at several different personality traits like being extroverted, conscientious, or neurotic. They found that certain types of exercise seemed best suited to these dominant personality traits—and people who chose physical activities that matched their personality enjoyed their workout more, stuck to it more consistently, and even improved more than people who picked a workout that didn’t sync up as well to their personality. 

Of course, the best workout for you is whichever one gets you moving. But if you’re curious how to sync your workout to your personality, read on.

## How your personality can shape your best workout

Every kind of exercise is good for you on a cellular level. It [stimulates the release](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29150166/) of mood-boosting neurotransmitters like [dopamine](https://time.com/6155109/healthier-dopamine-highs/), serotonin, and endorphins, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and [anxiety](https://time.com/7208914/symptoms-doctors-dismiss-anxiety/). But if you can find a type you actually want to do, the psychological payoff goes deeper than brain chemistry. 

A 2021 [study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22385818/) found that intrinsic motivation—when you’re driven by internal factors like personal growth, autonomy, and enjoyment—was more strongly associated with consistent exercise habits than external motivation like weight loss or appearance goals. In other words, when your workout satisfies a core emotional or psychological need (or really just feels like you), you're more likely to keep coming back.


**Read More**: [_The Best Science-Backed Way to Stop Chafing_](https://time.com/7300908/how-to-stop-chafing/)

Research shows that tailoring your exercise to your personality can also boost your performance. A [meta-analysis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17124108/) published in the _British Journal of Sports Medicine_ found that people who chose exercise routines that aligned with their personality traits were significantly more likely to perform better overall and stick with their programs over time.

## The best exercises for extroverts 

Extroverts are characterized by being outgoing and sociable, so they thrive on energy and interaction. Workouts that feel like an active hangout are perfect, says Jenna Willis, celebrity trainer and wellness coach. 

“Extroverts need that little healthy competition to push through that extra pushup,” she says. “I always say my workouts feel like you’re training with your bestie who just happened to bring dumbbells and a solid playlist. That kind of energy keeps extroverts engaged and hyped.”


**Read More**: [_Should You Shower in the Morning or at Night?_](https://time.com/7301283/better-to-shower-in-morning-or-at-night/)

That’s also what the researchers found in the latest study: extroverts tended to gravitate toward HIIT, spin, boot-camp classes, and team sports, because this format allowed them to feed off of others’ energy and competition. 

“It’s not just about what burns the most calories,” says Willis. “It’s about what keeps you coming back. And honestly, if you’re laughing through your lunges, no matter how bad the burn you’re more likely to show up tomorrow.”

## The best exercises for introverts

Introverts tend to prefer solitary activities and quiet environments, thriving when they can focus inward without feeling like they're performing for others, says Gillian Almeida, vice president of strategy and insights at Solidcore, a Pilates-style workout with classes across the U.S.

“The key is finding something that feels like 'me time' rather than social time,” she says. “Yoga, swimming laps, hiking, or even traditional [weightlifting](https://time.com/4803697/bodybuilding-strength-training/) where you can put in headphones and zone out fosters the perfect inward focus.”


**Read More**: [_Why Am I Sweating More Than I Used To?_](https://time.com/7299496/why-do-i-sweat-so-much/)

[Research](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2577457/) also shows that introverts enjoy methodical and repetitive workouts, where they know exactly what to expect. This can look like running or walking along the same trails or practicing [tai chi](https://time.com/4874707/tai-chi-health-benefits-falls/). The _Frontiers in Psychology_ study found that introverts were more likely to enjoy gentle, private exercises, like a solo walk or light home-based workouts. These workouts offer introverts autonomy, space, and a calming pace—supporting both physical health and emotional regulation. 

“That said, some introverts surprise themselves by loving group fitness classes once they realize it's not about being the center of attention,” says Almeida. “It's more like being part of something bigger while still having your own individual experience.”

## The best exercises for people with anxiety

For someone who feels anxious or worried, quieter, low-pressure environments can make workouts more enjoyable.


“This can look like working out alone in your apartment gym, doing at-home workouts, yoga, swimming, tennis, golf, or any activity with a calm, focused vibe,” says Akin Akman, co-founder and CEO of AARMY, a fitness center featuring cycle and bootcamp classes. 

**Read More**: [_What Most People Overlook About Skin Cancer_](https://time.com/7300863/what-to-know-about-skin-cancer/)

Like introverts, people with anxiety tend to enjoy slower-paced exercises and workouts in smaller settings or completely alone. The latest study found that this group thrived when doing private, low-intensity, and non-intimidating workouts; they were more likely to incorporate this into their routine compared to high-intensity group fitness classes. 

Research shows that exercise of any type for those with anxiety can significantly help. One [study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25697132/) found that regular physical activity helps reduce anxiety by lowering stress hormones like cortisol and increasing calming neurotransmitters.


“Movement is seriously underrated therapy, especially when anxiety shows up uninvited,” says Willis. “Sometimes, you just need to move through it.”

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