HealthTypes: What are Crusaders and Guardians, and what’s the difference?

The benefits of combining personal health training and personalised health are that exercises, lifestyle coaching, and nutrition advice are all tailor-made specifically for you and your unique body. 

That’s because what works for one person won’t always work for another, and that’s where the personalised health 360 program takes out all the guesswork. There are six distinct HealthTypes, but even in each HealthType group, no two individuals will be the same – while they may have certain similar characteristics, they will have influences from different hormones.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at two of the healthtypes – Crusaders and Guardians – to see what sets them apart.

The Crusader HealthType

While Kiwis might think of ‘Crusaders’ as big burly men, the Crusader HealthType is usually someone who is medium-sized with a lean frame. They often have slim wrists and ankles and an oval-shaped face.

Crusader HealthTypes are fortunate in that they often achieve a toned physique without too much effort, although they can struggle to put on muscle.  They usually don’t carry extra weight, but when they do, it goes on around their mid-section.

This HealthType can be likened to a horse with ‘blinkers on’.  Their dominant hormone is dopamine, which makes them very driven and goal focused. They are logical and structured, and the more they achieve the better the dopamine hit!

Food-wise, Crusaders should look to eat plenty of well-cooked carbs, which feed their incredible brain. And as for working out, this HealthType is a natural athlete and does best with continuous movement kinds of exercise, such as cycling, swimming, and running.

The Guardian HealthType

The Guardian HealthType is usually quite broad in structure and is the strongest of all the HealthTypes. They often have a square or round shape with thick joints and a large chest.

They can be either tall or short, and tend to put on weight easily.

The Guardian is like a ‘mama bear’. Their dominant hormone is prolactin, which makes them nurturing and fiercely protective of their loved ones. They are grounded and family oriented, and they tend to enjoy a calm, stable lifestyle. They conserve their energy and resources so they can provide for others, and are often known as the ‘salt of the earth’ kind of people.

Guardians thrive on a more plant based diet and three regular meals with no snacks in between.

For sports and exercise, this HealthType thrives in team environments, and is built to lift heavy weights. They can often be found in the front row of the rugby team or in the weights room.

What are the biggest differences between the Crusader and Guardian HealthTypes?

Crusaders and Guardians are worlds apart and sit directly opposite one another on the HealthType Circle.

Physically, Crusaders tend to have medium builds and are naturally lean, whereas Guardians are big, strong, and naturally put on weight easily. Emotionally, Crusaders are all about the mission,  Guardians are about protecting the family and community.

When it comes to fitness, their differences are extremely noticeable. Where Crusaders will thrive with continuous cardio-type exercises such as running and cycling, Guardians lean towards sports and exercises that require less cardio and more strength.

Your personalised health 360 assessment

There’s so much that knowing your HealthType can tell you – not just what you already know about your body shape and personality, but what kind of exercises, nutrition plans, and goals will work best for you.

Request your free consultation for a personalised health 360 assessment with Pam to learn more about your HealthType and what it means for you.