Most students go through college with their head in the books, occasionally coming up for air, food, an intoxicating beverage or two, and if lucky, a handful of stimulating social encounters.

They take only the classes needed to meet the requirements when it comes to physical education in college. All too often the reality of graduation finally happens and there is a rush to get started in that new career and before they know it, five years later, they are stuck sitting at a desk.

Doing a fine job, earning a great salary, but none-the-less just sitting.

Americans have never before been as sedentary as they are today.

According to government statistics, the sad truth is that nearly 75 percent of all Americans are not active enough, about one in four Americans are not active at all, and more than half of all adults are overweight.

Physical inactivity is contributing to alarming increases in childhood and adult obesity and many other health problems. Physical activity needs to be incorporated into everyday life, but which is the best path to take?

Jogging: Some are disciplined enough to jog everyday, this is a great way to stay in shape, if a person can stick to it and they have a place to run, preferably away from traffic. Breathing exhaust from cars while running is not a good idea.

Recreational Sports: If running sounds too boring, students, faculty and staff can check out the Recreational Sports Organization here on campus. Offered through this program are aerobic or yoga classes, use of the weight room, pool or racquetball courts. Audie Dingle, an attendant at Recreational Sports said, “it?s a great way to stay fit because use of the weight room, pool and racquet ball courts are free and fitness classes are just $20 per semester, you just need a current OneCard.”

“A lot of people take advantage of the free weight room but not many people use the universal weight room. I?d like to see more people take advantage of all of the facilities here,” Dingle said.

For more information about Recreational Sports, call (916) 278-6321.

Fitness Centers: While it?s true people who belong to a health club tend to be healthier and take better care of their bodies, the time and expense involved in joining these clubs may not seem practical, especially for a college student.

However, when considering the long-term results of a lifestyle of physical fitness versus a sedentary lifestyle, the time and money involved in a fitness program is an effort well spent.

24 Hour Fitness: Another fitness center organization well worth checking out is the rapidly growing, 24 Hour Fitness Center. This organization is planning to expand to 2,424 locations worldwide.

These centers have all the cool weight machines, a lap pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna, and in addition, they offer aerobic, yoga, Tai Kwon Do,and water aerobic classes.

The nice thing about 24 Hour Fitness Centers is that they are now the largest private fitness chain in the world, so the chances that a person could continue use of the facilities if they relocate are very good.

A person is not bound to a certain length of time when they join a 24 Hour Fitness Center; they can sign up on a month-to-month contract if they want to.

Brian Esslinger, a fitness counselor at the center and a senior at Sacramento State said, “People who continue to come to the fitness center after six weeks end up staying and making it a way of life. They actually become addicted to working out.”

Halsey Reid said she?s been going to the 24 Hour Fitness on Micron Avenue, just off of Bradshaw, for about nine or ten years.

“I go regularly just to keep in shape and relieve stress, but now I am preparing for a special adventure this summer,” Reid said. “I will climb Mt. Whitney in July.” Her personal trainer, Marcus Wright, said she will need to condition three to five days a week with more cardio exercise in her program in order to prepare for the climb.”A personal trainer will not only help with exercises but they can recommend nutrition programs where they set a person up on a specific meal plan after an individual evaluation,” Esslinger said.

Rob Lehtola, general manager of the center said in his 27 years with the fitness chain he has seen many success stories, where people have changed their life by joining.

“I remember one lady who weighed 230 pounds when she joined. She had 42 percent body fat, diabetes, and severe back problems. She had incredible results, she went down to 140 pounds and 23 percent body fat and her diabetes went away,” said Lehtola. “It was great.”

“Look Better Naked” was the slogan used by 24 Hour Fitness Centers in ?97, “The Way We Make You Feel,” is the slogan they are using today.

In any case, both slogans are accurate in implicating a healthier state of being for those who belong to the fitness center.

There are ten 24 Hour Fitness Centers in Sacramento, they are open 24 hours a day and Sac State students get a discount, only $39 per month membership.

For more information about 24 Hour Fitness Centers, go to 24hourfitness.com, or call the center on Micron Avenue at (916) 363-4382.