The Best Workout for You, According to Your Zodiac Sign

The key to sticking with a workout regimen is to find one that's fun! Discover the exercise that perfectly matches your zodiac sign's traits.

Some people structure their entire day around their workout and love breaking a sweat. Others dread it. For those who aren’t natural athletes, the best way to stick with a regular exercise routine is to find one that you actually enjoy. “The problem with working out is when you think it’s going to be torture,” says astrologer and astro yoga teacher Emily Ridout. “If you love your workout, then it doesn’t feel like effort.” By learning more about your zodiac sign—including your rising sign and your zodiac element—and your natural inclinations, you can find the ideal workout for you.

This isn’t as strange as it might seem. In fact, astrology and the body have been connected for centuries. “Until the 17th century, you had to take an astrology course in order to get a medical license,” Ridout says. Hundreds of years ago, doctors in Western Europe believed that our physical bodies were connected to the heavenly bodies, and each zodiac sign was related to a specific part of the body. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries, starts at the top of the body and rules the head. The signs go all the way down the body to the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces, which rules the feet and the lymphatic system.

Thinking about your zodiac sign’s core personality traits, as well as its corresponding body parts, can help you find an exercise regimen that’s perfectly suited for you. You should also consider your zodiac sign’s compatibility with others to identify the best workout partner, especially if you want some help sticking with that New Year’s resolution you made back in January. And no matter what you choose, stock up on the best workout shorts, leggingssports bras, and other essential gear to get you going in comfort and in style.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

Body part: Head

“Aries is a cardinal sign,” Ridout says. “That means it expresses itself by initiating and directing the energy of fire.” Because of that, Ridout believes that the optimal exercise for this fire sign is one that maximizes its incredible energy. Her idea: running. “It’s fast, and it will help them line up with their natural energy and point them in a particular direction,” she explains. To help you enjoy your workout even more, stock up on useful running accessories, like an armband to hold your phone or wireless earbuds. Fast music is great for keeping your adrenaline pumping and helping you get that runner’s high.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

Body part: Neck

“Taurus is the fixed energy of Earth,” Ridout says. “They’ll do well with a workout that has some kind of practical resonance. Walking the dog would be a great thing for them.” While that might be a little less intense than you’d expect for a workout regimen, remember that taking regular walks does burn calories and help people maintain cardiovascular health; research has even found that dog owners live longer than non-dog owners. This activity also connects Taurus with nature, which is essential for this sign’s mental well-being. If this is the push you’ve been looking for to become a pet parent, check out the dog breed that’s perfect for your zodiac sign.

Another way this earth sign can achieve a natural, practical sweat is by doing yard work. Beautifying their surroundings is something Taurus people love to do, and tilling the ground can provide a full-body workout. “They could also lift weights,” Ridout says, “but I think the earth element is really wonderful for them.”

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

Body part: Shoulders, arms

Gemini is an air sign that is often described as flighty, but that’s an unfair assessment—they really just want to be captivated by whatever it is they’re doing. Translation: They’ll give up an activity if they’re not fully invested in it. To keep them entertained, their workouts should be dynamic and fun. They also love to make friends, which is why Ridout suggests some kind of partner or team sport. Gemini energy also corresponds to the shoulders and arms, so Ridout says these areas should be the anchor of the exercise. “Something they should be doing is strengthening their shoulders,” she explains, “so [a sport like] tennis or racquetball would be a good choice.” Other sports that work the shoulders and arms include rowing, baseball, and lacrosse.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

Body part: Front of the heart, breast, stomach

“Cancer has a focus on being strong but also on being fluid,” Ridout says. According to her, people born under this cardinal sign need to find a workout that balances their nurturing character while also strengthening their core—the area of the body to which this sign corresponds. Physically and emotionally, Cancers can only truly function at their highest level when they have a solid, unshakable center. Her suggestions are Pilates or Barre3 exercise regimens. “That would harmonize with Cancer’s natural energy,” she says. “It’s sort of the mixture of sensitivity and strength.”

Leo (July 23–August 22)

Body part: Heart, spine

While Aries is the cardinal, directional fire sign, Leo is the fixed fire sign. Think of it as the difference between a sprint and an endurance race. “They contain the fire,” Ridout says of Leo people. “Sometimes it might build within them, in the same way that a furnace would, [and they] can heat themselves up too much.” When Leos think about the right exercise for them, they should keep this in mind, and make sure there is a cooling or resting element to their workout. For them, exercise is about the long haul. That’s why Ridout thinks cycling is a wonderful choice: “It’s going to get their fire flowing, but it’s also going to get a little wind on them. Cycling is a balance of heating up the body through pumping your legs while letting the breeze cool you.” Leos will also be motivated by these zodiac-inspired quotes.

Virgo (August 23–September 22)

Body part: Intestines, lower belly

Like the other earth signs, Virgos are very practical. Highly detail-oriented, they are also known as the perfectionists of the zodiac. For this methodical sign, Ridout suggests practicing vinyasa yoga or tai chi, which are all about harnessing the movements of the body for the proper flow of energy. “These are pretty technical,” she says, “and Virgos tend to be very good at understanding the technical aspects of the body. They’ll be very good with a repeatable practice. There’s a certain pleasure in taking the same choreography and making it perfect. [These disciplines] will also be good for their digestive tracts, to keep [the energy] flowing.”

Libra (September 23–October 22)

Body part: Lumbar region, buttocks

An air sign like Gemini, Libra also enjoys being in the company of others. Similarly, the ideal workout for this sign would be one that puts them in social situations, and Ridout recommends some kind of partner dance. “That could be ballroom, bachata, salsa, or swing,” she says. Libra people can take dance classes in person or learn moves by watching different types of dance DVDs. A portable, wireless speaker for playing music absolutely anywhere will help them take their booty-shaking workouts on the go, even while on the perfect vacation.

Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

Body part: Sexual organs

While a sign like Aries likes to move quickly, Scorpio wants the slow, deep burn. This water sign is all about depth, both emotionally and physically, so their exercise regimen needs to speak to that. “Doing slower-paced things is going to be really good for Scorpio,” Ridout says. “Even though it might not feel like they’re working out and burning a ton of energy, it’s going to bring them back to their state of equilibrium. Scorpio would want to do something that’s more like stretching or yoga.”

Yoga combines deep breathing and stretching to connect the body with the mind. Scorpios should focus on opening their sacral chakra during their exercises. (This is the chakra located between the pubic bone and the navel that holds sexual and creative energy.) According to Well + Good, the sacral chakra also corresponds to the element water, and Scorpio is a water sign. Not into yoga? You can try building up muscle and breaking a sweat by using resistance bands.

Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

Body part: Upper legs

According to Ridout, Sagittarius rules the upper legs, so like Libra, these people will also love dance workouts. Sagittarius is also a mutable sign—the astrologer calls it the “swirling fire sign”—so they like continuous, flowing motion. “They could do Zumba, for example. Even if they just have 10 minutes to turn on their favorite Spotify station and shake it all out, that’s going to do a lot for Sagittarius.” This sign could take in-person classes, or do their dance workouts at home with the help of DVDs for Zumba or belly dancing. If you’re just freestyling on your own, try incorporating exercise steps to make your workout more challenging, and really concentrate on toning those leg muscles.

Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

Body part: Knees, skeletal system

The mountain goat is the symbol of Capricorn, so it makes sense that this earth sign would love to go hiking regularly. “For them, getting out and hiking, climbing up hills, will be one of the best things they can do,” Ridout says. “[It’s about] going toward their goal—to see their progress and that they’ve come so far.” According to her, Capricorn is also the sign that rules the knees, so hiking would be beneficial for helping them build strength in that part of the body. Be sure to get a solid pair of hiking boots to help you on your journey up the mountain. If it’s cold or raining, opt for an indoor climbing machine.

Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

Body part: Circulatory system, ankles

Aquarius is an innovative sign, and kind of the oddball of the zodiac. “They need to do a workout that is off the beaten path,” Ridout says. “They’re going to need to pick something that’s really fun for them, like martial arts, aerial yoga, or gymnastics.” A standard run on the treadmill just won’t motivate this air sign. Instead, you should get acrobatic with a yoga swing, have a blast pole dancing, or release your pent-up energy by punching a training bag.

Pisces (February 19–March 20)

Body part: Feet, lymphatic system

“Pisces is the mutable water sign,” Ridout says, “so they’re at home in water.” Pisces embodies the fluidity of water, so they’ll love being immersed in their natural element. If you don’t have a pool in your backyard, head out to your town’s public pool or sign up for a membership at a gym that has one. Wearing waterproof wrist weights while doing laps or trying water aerobics will help add resistance, strengthening and toning your muscles even more. Now that you have a plan for your optimal workout routine, find out how to make more money this year, based on your zodiac sign.

Sources:

  • Emily Ridout, astrologer
  • AstroTalk: “Medical Astrology: 12 Astrology Houses and Diseases”
  • Well + Good: “Your 7 Chakras, Explained—Plus How to Tell if They’re Blocked”

Taylor Markarian
Taylor Markarian is a regular contributor to RD.com covering culture, advice, travel, pets and all things weird and haunted. She is the author of "From the Basement: A History of Emo Music and How It Changed Society," which analyzes the evolution of punk and mental health. She holds a B.A. in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College.