Named for the god of war, Mars is our planet of will, energy, sexuality and action, getting it done and getting it on, if you will.
The planetary ruler of hot-headed Aries and intense AF Scorpio, Mars also rules blood and our sense of vitality, creating a clear connection between our Mars sign and the best way to work out to get that sacred blood pumping.
Astrologer Alexie Gigi explains, “It’s only natural that you look to this planet to know the best movements for us to make in order to match up with our own energetic frequency.”
To find your Mars sign, you’ll need your birth chart. Use a generator like this one. The Mars symbol, pictured above, resembles a circle with a phallic arrow extending out of the top right quadrant.
Once you’ve identified your Mars sign, read on to learn about the best movement practice for you.
Mars it at home in Aries and able to fully flex its might. As Gigi explains, “You guys are intense; therefore, you need intense workouts, high-intensity interval training, cardio, weightlifting, strength training, anything to make you feel powerful and strong.”
She says anything fast-paced that allows these hot heads to channel their anger, aggression and excess energy is beneficial to both mind and body. Boxing is a natural fit for this sign, as is anything that incorporates challenge and competition.
As Gigi reminds this sign, “You need to constantly keep pushing yourself to be better.”
Gigi recommends fresh air and endurance training for those whose Mars falls in the bucolic earth sign of Taurus. She explains, “Taurus is a sign that loves grounding and connecting to nature. You really want to be doing exercises that emphasize endurance, strength and connection to the earth.”
Some recommendations include hiking and pilates in the park, where strength can be built and bulls can feel free to frolic.
Gigi recommends mental stimulation, social interaction and a heavy dose of variety for those whose Mars falls in loquacious Gemini. “Good exercises for this Mars sign include circuit training and group workout classes in a more social setting like Zuma, kickboxing, pole dancing, or spin.”
She notes that this Mars sign has a famously short attention span and group dynamics keep them engaged, “Join a tennis team, join a racquetball team. You really want to focus on fun and what lights you up.”
Another solid outlet via unstable footing? Rollerblading.
Mars is in its fall in Cancer, meaning the planet has difficulty expressing itself. To honor this, Gigi says to lead with gentle movement, “You don’t want to be doing anything high-intensity. Pilates and yoga are amazing for you. Working out at home is perfect for you guys.”
She recommends Tai Chi for this Mars sign as “you’re able to have that fluid balance and also that gentle, emotional balance that resonates perfectly with Cancer’s energy.”
She also encourages swimming, as water is a natural habitat for this sign and offers the promise of release.
Gigi explains that these big cats are essentially big kids.
“Leo is ruled by the sun and the sun represents your inner child. So doing exercises that make your inner child happy is going to benefit you so much.”
She suggests this Mars sign taps into what they loved to do when they were kiddos, be it climbing trees or kicking a– at kickball.
Leo is also the sign of high drama, grand gestures and performance art, making dance and boxing beautiful avenues for self-expression through physical activity,
Gigi explains, “Virgo is a very detail-oriented, very precise, very health-conscious sign.”
She maintains that fitness focusing on proper form, perfect alignment and buildable flexibility is especially beneficial, “Pilates is perfect, hatha yoga is good.”
She imparts that Virgo Mars needs to monitor their fitness progress with a tracker app or device as organization is erotically satisfying to this sign.
For those with Mars in Libra, balance is the name of the game…and the grind. Gigi expounds, “Libra is the scales, right? You want a balanced workout split for your routine throughout your week. For example, weight lifting one day, walking 10K steps the other day, pilates and taking different classes.”
She stresses that as Libra is an air sign, there needs to be a focus on both variety and consistency and because Libra is the sign of partnership, group workouts and couple workouts are an excellent fit. And in fits of a different variety, Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and aesthetics, so those with their Mars here would do well to look good for their workouts.
Look hot while you get even hotter, folks.
Mars is the ancient ruler of Scorpio and this Mars sign is marked by intensity and an intense need for challenge.
Gigi says, “You really want to be doing something where you can pour your whole heart and your whole soul into it. I want you to think about getting your revenge body, putting all of your emotions into your workout, something very intense, something very deep, something very transformative like Scorpio itself.”
She recommends martial arts like Jiu Jutsu, Muay Thai and Taekwondo, as well as a boxing practice where they can think of their ex while beating the s–t out of a punching bag.
Because Scorpio rules the eighth house of sexuality, she says erotic-tinged workouts like pole dancing and strip tease aerobics are especially well suited for this Mars sign.
For those whose Mars falls in the sign of Sagittarius, Gigi maintains, “You want to be doing exercises and workouts that align with a sense of adventure, spontaneity and freedom.”
She recommends that those with this Mars sign enroll in Class Pass to ensure they always have access to the new and the novel. Sag folk is a sign symbolized by the half-equine, half-human centaur, making horseback riding a perfect fit.
Mars is exalted in Capricorn, the sign of dedication and gains. As Gigi explains, a challenging, disciplined practice that yields measurable results will feed the fitness fire for this Mars sign. “Strength training is going to be huge for you. You need to have a structured weight lifting routine or program that you’re into.”
Rock climbing is a natural fit for a sign symbolized by the ever-striving, keep on climbing sea goat; “It gives you that physical challenge coupled with strategic planning and overcoming obstacles.
An Aquarius Mars is oxygenated by innovation and social engagement, making niche workouts and group fitness classes a wonderful fit. Gigi recommends these folks join a pickleball team or take up running. The latter can be leveraged into charitable pursuits, issue awareness, supportive causes and fundraising, all of which speak to the water bearer’s humanitarian spirit.
Variety is key for this Mars sign as they “tend to get bored of just doing one thing.”
Pisces is synonymous with spirituality and intuition; in kind and in tune, Gigi recommends those with this Mars placement incorporate meditation, subliminals and high vibrational frequencies into their workouts.
Exercise practices that benefit Pisces Mars include “anything that engages both the body and the mind.” She recommends yin yoga, pilates and dance, particularly the fluid movements of ballet that reflect this water sign’s boundless, connective nature.
Gigi maintains that Pisces Mars peeps sometimes struggle to express rather than repress their anger, making martial arts a truly healing experience for them.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
