Orange, Gold, Blue and Green In The Gym
Last week we talked about personality types and how each of the four colors have their own strengths and weaknesses. This week, I want to break it down a little more, dissect it, if you will. On the shoe above, all four colors are included. Similarly, all four color types need to be able to feel included in the gym experience. Let’s talk about how each color type can help themselves have a more rewarding and successful experience with working out.
First, we talked about the expressive/gold group. These are they who are gregarious and people-pleasing. Often, they look at exercise as a way of meeting other people. Although they may not always have their facts straight, expressive people are fun to be with. If you have a workout partner who is expressive, there will be some time spent exercising but, be aware that you may actually spend more time talking or “hanging out” rather than actually exercising. Next time you’re at the gym, look around. You’ll see a lot of expressive people in the gym simply because they love being around people. If you yourself are gold, you are going to have to “reel yourself in”, so to speak, when at the gym and exercising turns into socializing. Make a deal with yourself that after x amount of hard core focused work out time you get y amount of talk time with your friends. Finding a work out buddy that is NOT a fellow expressive/gold is extremely important for you as well. Golds tend to achieve better results when they have someone to whom they feel accountable (i.e., a workout partner, spouse, personal trainer, etc.). Likewise, they need a little help staying on track with a good nutrition plan as well. They don’t feel near as much guilt letting themselves down as they do someone else. Keeping this in mind, a food log can help immensely, even if you are only showing it to your friend, spouse, workout buddy, etc. it still provides a sense of accountability which will help you stick to it and, in the end, get better results.
Specific Needs: Gold’s need specific steps, numbers (reps and sets), and a full workout plan. Typically, you’ll do best following someone else’s plan and not implementing/creating one of your own routines. Reader’s Digest version? Use a program and keep track of your results as you progress.
Next, we talked about the folks who fall into the driver/orange group. You can tell when you meet an orange because they always want to get to the bottom line. Oranges are good leaders, but they need to be aware that they can trample over other people if they are not careful. When in the gym, you can tell the orange/driver personalities by their focus. When they workout, they are intensely focused and very direct. Efficiency is extremely important to them. Because they are direct, assertive and competitive oranges do not have a hard time creating or focusing on hitting goals. What they do lack is flexibility. I don’t mean the touch your toes kind of flexibility either. Oranges are so focused on achieving the end goal, that the workout is viewed as the pathway to said goal. If anything messes with the workout, including you, you have messed with an orange and they don’t take it nicely with a smile. If your workout partner is a n orange, be prepared to kick some ass. They never walk into the gym and take it lightly. There will be little talk time, little socializing as oranges are focused on the workout more than anything else.
Specific Needs: Somewhere to work out, it doesn’t really matter where, just somewhere with adequate space. They typically use minimal equipment and adapt their workout to their environment. Definitely vary the equipment and methods you use, include TRX, kettlebells, dumbbells, machines, working out outside, and varying workouts each week. Oranges tend to get in a “rut” with their workouts, make sure you avoid this as it causes the body to adapt and puts the kibosh on progress. Results will be seen as long as the stimulus varies.
Third we discussed the analytical/blue group. They will analyze physical fitness and exercise. It is very common for them to create a pros and cons list for various exercise programs before they decide and embark on any certain exercise routine. Although they may get analysis paralysis in the beginning, once they make a decision on improving their physical fitness they usually stick to it longer than most people. That’s because they feel they have done their “due process” and analysis and now simply have to carry out and execute the plan accordingly. Because blues are so dependent upon a workout partner themselves, they make great workout partners for other blues. Two blue workout partners will most likely see their goals reached, though their progress may be slow and sure, it will be there none the less as they encourage each other across the proverbial finish line.
Specific Needs: Blues NEED to work out with someone, especially if they are of a different fitness level. They are much more comfortable to have someone there to guide them. That being said, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a trainer or coach but having someone to encourage and keep them on track is crucial for blues. Working out with a partner, or a trainer, is the best way to ensure success for blues. (Keep in mind, similar fitness levels are not a must, you just need someone who can motivate and inspire you).