Enneagram Type 3 (The Achiever) Fitness Personality
Enneagram Type 3 individuals—aka "The Achiever" or "The Performer"—have a goal-oriented and success-driven personality. While they are generally motivated and excel in many areas of life, they can face specific challenges regarding exercise.
Enneagram Type 3 Exercise Struggles
Here are some common challenges and potential struggles an Enneagram Type 3 may face when it comes to exercise:
Overemphasis on Results: Type 3s tend to be results-driven and may focus heavily on achieving specific fitness goals. If they don't see immediate progress or face setbacks, they might become frustrated or lose interest in exercise altogether.
Competitiveness: Type 3s are competitive by nature. While this can be an asset in certain situations, it can be problematic during exercise. During the pregnancy and postpartum period, pushing yourself too hard and too soon can affect your body alignment, pelvic floor and pelvic organs. This can lead to prolapse, diastasis recti, and general aches and pains.
Neglecting Rest and Recovery: Type 3s often have a high energy level and may struggle with taking adequate rest and recovery days. You might feel guilty or unproductive if you take a break from your exercise routine.
Image Consciousness: Type 3s are highly aware of how they present themselves to others, which can extend to their appearance during exercise. You may feel self-conscious or avoid specific workouts if they don't align with your desired image.
Need for External Validation: Type 3s often seek external validation and approval for their accomplishments. You may lose motivation to continue exercising if you don't receive recognition for your fitness achievements.
Tendency to Overcommit: Type 3s are ambitious and may overcommit to various projects and activities, leaving little time for regular exercise.
Preference for Efficient Workouts: Type 3s value efficiency and productivity. You're less likely to exercise if you believe it's inefficient or does not provide significant results.
Difficulty Being Present: Type 3s can be future-oriented, constantly striving for the next goal. This mindset might make it challenging to be fully present and enjoy working out.
Workout as a Means to an End: Type 3s may see exercise as a way to achieve a specific physique—or a way to be more successful in other areas of life. This approach can hinder your ability to find joy and fulfillment while exercising.
How to Improve Your Relationship with Exercise
To address these challenges, here are some strategies that may help Type 3s create a more positive exercise experience:
Set Goals to Enjoy the Journey: Set realistic and balanced fitness goals beyond just outcomes. Instead of weightloss or appearance goals, focus on the healthy behavior of exercising and showing up being the result. Your goals should help you enjoy the journey and the exercise process, not just the end result.
Mindful Movement: Practice mindfulness and being present during exercise. Motherhood is a busy season, so try doing your workouts at home so you aren’t tempted to compete at the gym. (You will get back to being the strongest at the gym if you progress correctly!) During strength workouts, really focus on your exercise form and doing your best during each set.
Variety in Workouts: Add variety into your exercise routine to stay engaged and prevent boredom. New challenges can be motivating! Expecting and Empowered App exercises change weekly so you can continue to challenge yourself with each workout.
Focus on Innate Motivation: Rather than relying on external validation, figure out what else motivates you to exercise. Moms often feel short on time, so you may feel motivated by improving your well-being, energy, and sleep quality.
Prioritize Rest and Recovery: Take time for rest and recovery, which is essential for optimal performance and progress.
Build Supportive Communities: Joining a mama community can help you accomplish workouts and support you through the challenges of motherhood. Try joining parenting groups, workout groups, or online communities — like our Expecting and Empowered App or Instagram! Having partner support through your wellness journey will also help you feel encouraged and validated.
Celebrate Non-Fitness Achievements: Your self-worth does not depend on your fitness accomplishments. Celebrate your achievements in other areas of life, too.
Type 3s can develop a more positive and fulfilling relationship with exercise by prioritizing recovery, choosing programs that offer positive feedback, and adding variety to challenge themself. Remember, everyone is unique! These suggestions may not apply to every Enneagram Type 3. It's important to listen to your own needs, preferences, and limitations when it comes to exercise.
Type 3s without a plan can do more damage than good when returning to exercise. The Expecting and Empowered App offers Type 3s a clear exercise plan with step-by-step progressions that offer variety and structure. The E+E App community of mamas also offers encouragement and validation to keep you going.
The app includes different workouts each week to keep you challenged and engaged. Postpartum programs work on basics like core and breathing while gradually progressing to more dynamic and whole-body movement. Built-in rest times help you remember to take a break, and workouts focus on quality form, not quantity. The app also offers positive feedback through statistics, habit tracking, and workout streaks.