Most of us know our sun sign, commonly used when reading horoscopes. Your sun sign, though, is only one piece of the astrology puzzle. The sun, moon, and rising signs make up what’s referred to as your big three. Your zodiac also includes the modalities and elements associated with your signs. These three areas can provide valuable insight into your personality and preferences. 

When we better understand who we are and the things that feel natural to us, we add more ease into our life. If there’s one thing I want to simplify, it’s my wellness. Exercising or moving your body in a way that feels intuitive and frictionless helps.

If you know your sun sign, you may have a general idea of workouts that work with your zodiac sign. Astrologer Alex Caiola of High Priestess of Brooklyn, expands on how your zodiac signs can help you discover your unique workout style.

The Big Three: Sun, Moon, and Rising 

The sun sign gives insight into your personality and what naturally attracts you. “The rising sign also known as the ascendant sets up our first house, which is the house of identity, our body in some respects,” Caiola explains. “It’s how we encounter everything and move through the world. Your rising sign is important when it comes to exercise or how we want movement to fit into our lives.”

Our emotional needs might impact our workout preferences too. Sometimes your go-to exercise just doesn’t align with your current emotional state. That’s why your moon sign, representing your emotional self, matters. 

If you’re unfamiliar with your big three, you can find them here or work with an astrologer like Caiola. And as always, listen to your body and follow your doctor’s recommendations on working out.

In astrology, your zodiac sign can be organized by its modality (cardinal, fixed, and mutable) and its element (fire, water, earth, and air). 

Zodiac Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air

“Signs associated with the element of fire (Aeries, Leo, and Sagittarius) will enjoy high-intensity and action-filled workouts,” says Caiola. “Signs with the element of water (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) may prefer workouts that incorporate flow and release.” For earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn), purposeful and grounded exercises work best. Air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) will enjoy mentally challenging yet entertaining workouts.

Understanding the modality associated with your zodiac sign can add another layer of information. “Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, for example, are all going to have some similarities because they are all fire signs, but they’re going to go about it in different ways,” Caiola says.

Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn

“Cardinal signs are the signs that kick off every season, and they kick off the element they’re in as well.” says Caiola. “Aries kicks off spring; Cancer kicks off summer; Libra kicks off fall, and Capricorn, winter.” As initiators, cardinal signs are excited about efficient workouts. 

What efficiency can look like for the cardinal signs will change based on their element. So Aries, a fire element, will want efficient high-intensity workouts, but Capricorn, an earth element, will want efficient purposeful 20-30 minute workouts that fit into their schedule. Cancer’s water element can mean workouts with an efficient flow, such as Pilates or dance-based workouts. As an air element, efficient exercises with a social aspect, such as a group fitness classes, are best for Libras.

As someone with an Aries sun and an Aries moon, I prefer strength training workouts that make the most of my time, but I get bored quickly. I always look forward to starting a new exercise cycle. “Aries is cardinal (modality) fire (element),” adds Caiola. “It also kicks off the entire zodiac, so there’s a boldness and intensity, specifically when it comes to new workouts.”

Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius 

“Fixed signs want structure and are usually more open to long workouts that require endurance,” says Caiola. While Aries and Leo are both fire signs, as a fixed sign, Leos are more likely to work out for as long as it takes and will gravitate towards structured and active workouts, like endurance cardio, for example. Taurus’s earth element can look like taking long walks or using weights for a structured and grounded workout. For the air element in the Aquarius sign, participating in long-term challenges that are structured and involve mental fitness work best. 

Since I’m an Aries sun and Aries moon with a Scorpio rising, I sometimes feel burned out from my high-intensity workouts. Because of the fixed water aspect in Scorpio, I love yoga with structured, opening, and long sequences. Those are the moments where I can slowly recharge and release. 

Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces

“Variety is the name of the game,” says Caiola. “These workouts should be adaptable and surprising.” Driven by the fire element in the Sagittarius sign, an action-filled yet adaptable workout like Every Minute On the Minute (EMOM) or circuit training makes sense. The adaptability and resourcefulness of exercises like bodyweight mastery are great for Virgos. “Virgos have a natural desire to perfect or master a workout,” says Caiola. “They’re often motivated by getting really good at something. Virgos might use different workouts to tone their arms one month and their core another.”

Pisces can enjoy adaptable and opening exercises like restorative yoga or Yin yoga. Entertaining yet adaptable exercises, like Peloton, are an excellent match for the Gemini sign. Caiola, a Capricorn rising with a Gemini sun, prefers workouts that are both efficient (Capricorn) and entertaining (Gemini). “The workout becomes a bonus because it’s an entertaining experience that fits into my day,” explains Caiola.

The bottom line: Mix and match workouts based on your big three (sun sign, moon sign, and rising sign) and the modalities and elements associated with your signs. A layered understanding of the best workout for your zodiac sign can help introduce sustainable and intuitive physical wellness into your life.