Character Trait: Athletic

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Athletic generally refers to a person's physical ability and interest in sports or other physical activities. An athletic individual is typically strong, agile, and coordinated, and enjoys participating in physical challenges and competitions. This trait can also include a competitive nature, a desire to improve and push oneself physically, and a dedication to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

Possible causes of being athletic

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Competitive nature and desire to win
• Enjoyment of the physical and mental challenge of sports
• Positive role models who were athletes or emphasized physical fitness
• Personal values that prioritize physical fitness and well-being
• Genetic predisposition to athleticism
• Social benefits of being part of a sports team or community
• Early exposure to sports or physical activity
• Desire for health and fitness benefits associated with athleticism

For detailed feedback on athletic characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being athletic

You may be able to show your character's trait of athletic by using these.

• Running, jogging, or sprinting
• Participating in fitness challenges or competitions
• Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or skiing
• Stretching or doing flexibility exercises
• Practicing yoga, Pilates, or other mind-body exercises
• Participating in team or individual sports, such as soccer, basketball, tennis, or swimming
• Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, including getting enough sleep and staying hydrated
• Monitoring and tracking progress through fitness apps or wearable technology
• Lifting weights or doing strength training exercises

Attitudes associated with being athletic

You may be able to show athletic through their attitudes.

• Competitive
• Determined
• Tenacious
• Confident
• Team-oriented
• Physically fit
• Hard-working
• Resilient
• Endurance-focused
• Disciplined
• Goal-oriented
• Enthusiastic
• Energetic
• Mentally tough

Thoughts and struggles associated with being athletic

Here are some ideas for things your athletic character may think or struggle with.

• Dealing with the fear of failure and disappointment, both for themselves and for those who look up to them.
• Constantly pushing themselves to be the best and feeling the pressure to maintain their physical abilities.
• Struggling with the temptation of performance-enhancing drugs or other shortcuts to success.
• Facing criticism or negative opinions from others who don't understand or value their athletic pursuits.
• Struggling with injuries and setbacks that threaten their athletic career and identity.
• Striving to be a positive role model and inspiration to others, while also feeling the weight of that responsibility.
• Balancing their passion for their sport with other areas of their life, such as relationships or career goals.
• Experiencing the highs of victory and the lows of defeat, and learning to cope with both.

Emotions associated with being athletic

Here are some ideas for emotions your athletic character may experience.

• Frustration
• Confidence
• Excitement
• Nervousness
• Euphoria
• Disappointment
• Determination
• Pride
• Perseverance

Facial expressions associated with being athletic

Here are some facial expressions your athletic character may exhibit.

• A relaxed and content expression after a successful performance
• A relaxed and controlled smile
• A confident and determined facial expression
• A determined and competitive expression during a game or race
• A sweaty and flushed face after a vigorous workout
• A slightly furrowed brow indicating concentration
• A focused and intense gaze

Body language associated with being athletic

Here is some body language your athletic character may exhibit.

• Maintaining eye contact while speaking
• Using expansive arm gestures to emphasize points
• Leaning forward to show engagement and enthusiasm
• Standing tall with an upright posture
• Maintaining a relaxed and open facial expression
• Displaying strong and controlled movements
• Moving with agility and coordination
• Walking with a confident stride
• Using hand gestures to communicate energy and excitement

For detailed feedback on athletic characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being athletic

Here are some behaviors your athletic character may exhibit.

• Running, jogging, or sprinting
• Stretching or doing flexibility exercises
• Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, including getting enough sleep and staying hydrated
• Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or skiing
• Lifting weights or doing strength training exercises
• Practicing yoga, Pilates, or other mind-body exercises
• Participating in team or individual sports, such as soccer, basketball, tennis, or swimming
• Participating in fitness challenges or competitions
• Monitoring and tracking progress through fitness apps or wearable technology

Growth and evolution of athletic characters

Here are some ways that your athletic character may grow and evolve over time.

• Learn to lose gracefully: Winning isn't everything, and the character could learn to accept defeat with grace and use it as motivation to improve.
• Learn to work with others: If the character is used to being a solo athlete, they could learn to work better with others on a team or in a group setting.
• Overcome a physical setback: The character could face an injury or other physical setback that forces them to adapt and find new ways to compete.
• Develop mental toughness: Athletics can be as much a mental game as a physical one, and the character could work on developing their mental toughness and resilience.
• Develop leadership skills: The character could take on a leadership role, either as captain of a team or by mentoring younger athletes.
• Find a new passion: The character could discover a new sport or activity that they become passionate about and explore.

Stereotypes of athletic characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical athletic character like these examples.

• Avoid portraying your athletic character as aggressive or overly competitive to the point of being unsportsmanlike.
• Avoid making your athletic character excessively muscular or physically perfect, as this can come across as unrealistic and unrelatable.
• Avoid making your athletic character too arrogant or boastful about their abilities.
• Avoid making your athletic character a one-dimensional jock who is only interested in sports and nothing else.

Negatives of being athletic

Here are some potential negatives of being athletic. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Difficulty balancing athletics with other responsibilities such as work or school
• Pressure to perform well and meet expectations from coaches, teammates, and fans
• Time-consuming training schedules
• Limited social life due to intensive training and competitions
• Pressure to constantly maintain physical fitness
• Higher risk of injury

Positives of being athletic

Here are some potential positives of being athletic. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Increased stamina and energy levels
• Improved physical health and fitness
• Enhanced mental well-being and reduced stress
• Better sleep quality and patterns
• Increased self-esteem and confidence
• Increased discipline, dedication, and commitment
• Improved time management skills and productivity
• Improved coordination, balance, and agility
• Opportunities to meet new people and make friends

Verbal expressions of athletic characters

Here are some potential expressions used by athletic characters.

• "I'll give it my all!"
• "Push through the pain!"
• "I can do this!"
• "I am strong and capable!"
• "Let's go!"
• "Bring it on!"
• "I'm ready for anything!"
• "I won't back down!"
• "Never give up!"

Relationships of athletic characters

Here are some ways that being athletic could affect your character's relationships.

• They may have a competitive nature that extends to their relationships, but they usually have a good sportsmanship attitude.
• They may value physical fitness and health, which can influence their relationships in terms of shared interests and lifestyle choices.
• They may have a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie, which can make them excellent collaborators in group settings.
• They may have high energy levels and enjoy spending time outdoors or engaging in physical activities, which can sometimes make them impatient with more sedentary individuals.
• They may enjoy bonding with others over physical activities and sports.
• They may have a tendency to push themselves and others to their limits, which can sometimes lead to burnout or injury if not managed properly.
• They may be self-disciplined and goal-oriented, which can be inspiring to others but also lead to them being perceived as intense or overly focused.

Examples from books of characters who are athletic

• Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan)
• Santiago (The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway)
• Rudy Ruettiger (Rudy: My Story by Rudy Ruettiger)
• Harry Potter (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
• Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck)
• Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins)
• Brian Robeson (Hatchet by Gary Paulsen)
• Rocky Balboa (Rocky series by Sylvester Stallone)

Writing exercises for writing athletic characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write athletic characters.

• Create a scene in which your character uses their physical abilities to save someone else.
• Describe a moment when your character has to make a difficult decision between their athletic pursuits and other important priorities.
• Describe a character's daily workout routine.
• Create a scene in which your character uses their athletic skills to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle.
• Create a scene in which your character overcomes a physical challenge, such as climbing a mountain or running a marathon.
• Show your character teaching someone else a new sport or exercise.
• Write a scene in which your character is injured and has to deal with the consequences of not being able to be as active as they usually are.
• Write a scene in which your character competes in a sports game or athletic competition.
• Write a scene in which your character is forced to confront their own limitations or weaknesses in their physical abilities.