Great bodies, big thrills: Students ready to break loose
Co-eds hit gyms before resorts

By JENNIFER E. REITZ
Collegian Staff Writer

It's that time of year again, when many students are thrust from the icy cold of State College to the summer-like haven of spring break. But for some, the thought of trading in bulky wool sweaters for skimpy beachwear is not as appealing as it sounds.

Local gyms and tanning salons are packed with students trying to shed extra pounds and get some color before hitting the coast.

Jessica Shelby (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said she knows the risks of being exposed to ultraviolet rays, and although her parents do not like that she tans, she still visits the salon on a regular basis.

"I just keep going back for more. It looks better, and I won't burn at the beach," she said.

Although Heather Jill Steinberg has not been dieting, tanning or working out before she goes away, many of her friends have been.

"It's more of a bikini thing than anything else," said Steinberg (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies).

Her friend sitting nearby said she always goes to tanning salons before going on vacation.

"I consider it to be a cancerous thing," she said. "I'll regret it when I'm 30 and have wrinkles."

Denny Lingenfelter, general manager of Body Works Health and Fitness Center, 127 Sowers St., said tanning in a salon is less dangerous than going out in the sun because in a controlled environment, ultraviolet rays can be monitored.

But there is a risk that goes along with it as well.

"If you abuse it and go every day, there will be problems. That is, someone who has a problem and never thinks they are dark enough," Lingenfelter said, comparing the situation to anorexia.

Lingenfelter said the gym has been especially crowded lately with people getting ready for spring break. Though exercising may seem like a healthy activity, excessive workouts can indicate an eating disorder or a psychological problem, he said.

"We have in the past had people coming in here and doing cardiovascular for four hours a day," Lingenfelter said.

One woman said her roommate is so nervous about looking good on the beach, she has become obsessive about her eating and health habits. She has been working out twice a day and eats only a banana during the day and will not eat again until dinner, she said.

Body Works employs personnel trained to spot people who have excessive workout routines. Sometimes they find that people are ignorant of the detrimental effects of working out too much, but there have been cases where trainers have pulled clients aside, only to find they have eating disorders.

"We've had to call people's parents on occasion," he said.

Lingenfelter said normally healthy activities like eating right and exercising become dangerous when done excessively.

Activities such as working out should be done continuously and in moderation, Lingenfelter said.

Shelby, who has been exercising as well as tanning to prepare for spring break, said she plans to get into a more healthy lifestyle when she returns.

"I'll stop tanning, and hopefully I'll keep working out on a regular basis," she said.