Green
Greens easily blend with the physical world. Being outside makes them feel alive. Greens are naturally observant of the concrete details and small variations in their environment. With their minimalist nature and practical approach, it makes sense to greens to get their exercise through activities of daily living, including working outside. Greens are motivated to maintain a level of fitness so they can participate in the outdoor activities and challenges that are important to them.
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Greens are highly attuned to the physical world around them. Their profound attention to detail and their outstanding orienting skills influence all aspects of what they do and when they do it. Minimalists at heart, they are understated, quiet, and unobtrusive. In groups, Greens tend toward the background, preferring others to take the lead. With their reserved demeanor, they are quiet observers of the physical world. Nature is their nature. Their natural physicality inclines Greens to maintain a baseline of fitness, which they prefer to do outdoors or through activities of daily living, such as yard maintenance, parking a mile from their office, or using the stairs instead of elevators.
For Greens, incorporating a regimented training program into their lives is unlikely without a specific purpose—such as getting in shape to fully enjoy a favorite outdoor activity, or achieving a prized goal, like being part of a climbing or backpacking expedition. In these cases, Greens will use gyms and equipment to increase their stamina for an important outdoor challenge. Interestingly, Green women gravitate toward Pilates because they see concrete results from it. When they are training for a specific challenge, Greens have clear-cut objectives. Many Greens say that the preparation process —including assembling the gear, analyzing risks, or preparing for climatic changes—is interesting and exhilarating. A fitness center or trainer who could provide information relating to these training goals would add value.
Too much inside time is stressful for Greens. Getting outside gives them an opportunity to clear their minds and wrestle with the energizing and calming challenges of nature. Almost any outdoor environment will do. Fitness centers with equipment and training options on outside decks (or at least with a window view) provide special appeal to Greens.
Greens have a significant preference for training by themselves. Training alone minimizes the need for coordination and advance planning with other people, allowing them to catch the moment as it arises. It speaks to the casual and flexible world that Greens prefer. They will likely prefer to arrive at the gym dressed for their workout, avoiding wasted time or interactions in the locker room.
Advice for Greens
Activities of Daily Life
Find every opportunity to be active. Park farther from your destination, walk instead of drive, or take the stairs. Productive activities are ideal for you, such as yard work, gardening, putting up fences, or chopping wood.
Biking
Solo, outdoor rides (with minimal planning) are your best opportunity to savor the experience, whether road or mountain biking. If you’re on the practical side, you might bike to work instead of driving.
Pilates
The economy of movement and focused attention are foundational principles of pilates, making it a natural fit. Pilates is an effective cross-training tool, making any sport or activity you love even better. Find a convenient pilates studio, and you’ll quickly see the fruits of your labor.
Running
You appreciate the convenience and solitude of solo runs in the outdoors. Observing every detail of the world around you will keep you engaged. Leave music and other distractions at home; they only make you feel overstimulated.
Strength Training
Greens will often set up creative drills and obstacle courses, like a backyard ropes course. You’ll have the most fun with creative outdoor strength training.
Swimming
Water in natural settings has a strong draw. Rivers, oceans, lakes, and ponds allow you to explore entire underwater worlds. You may train for a specific event with lap swimming.
Walking and Hiking
A natural fit for nature-loving Greens, walking or hiking is an easy and convenient opportunity for you to get outdoors. Use your outstanding observational skills to take in the subtle changes in your environment over time.
- Create time to be outdoors alone. Negotiate work and/or familial responsibilities to ensure that time.
- Share your love of the outdoors with children. Coach a team or play outside with them,
- Train for an outdoor challenge or meaningful activity by yourself. Don’t be pressured into being an exercise buddy.
- Enjoy nature in all its forms and at all times of day—don’t rule out the nighttime!
- Revisit favorite places. Enjoy noticing physical changes, both big and small.
Group Ex Classes
The Y offers more than 5,000 group exercise classes per year! Find a class at your family center that’s perfect for your fitness color and schedule.
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