Overview

• Researchers conducted an eight-week home fitness trial with 132 adults to assess how extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism and openness influence enjoyment and completion of cycling and strength routines
• Extraverted participants preferred group-based high-intensity classes but were less likely to finish follow-up testing and did not achieve greater fitness gains
• High-neuroticism individuals chose private, low-intensity workouts and were the only cohort to report significant reductions in stress
• Conscientious participants started with higher baseline fitness and logged more workout hours without reporting increased enjoyment, while open individuals maintained activity regardless of how much they enjoyed it
• Senior authors say the trait-specific results offer empirical support for personalized exercise prescriptions aimed at boosting long-term engagement and mental health