In two weeks, many Penn State students will escape from State College during spring break, and local businesses are already profiting as students prepare to look their best.

The most popular destinations are those with sun, surf and sand in tropical locales, such as Cancun and Punta Cana, said Sandy Berardis of Centre for Travel, 114 Heister St.

Students trying to beat the winter bulge have stepped it up at the local gyms to prepare for their hedonistic pursuits, said Josh Nolten, general manager at East Coast Health and Fitness, 212 W. Hamilton Ave. "We have an increase in gym memberships at the beginning of the semester," he said. "The machines are just getting more use now."

Men and women prefer different types of workouts to prepare for bathing-suit bodies, he said. "Girls usually use the cardio equipment and guys definitely hit the weights more," he said.

Salons and spas throughout the area are also seeing an increase in the usage of their services by both sexes.

Melinda Hooper, owner of Designer's Denn, 208 Calder Way, said appointments are limited the week before break and the week after. "There are a lot of waxes, spa manicures and spa pedicures the weekend before [break]," she said. "People receive facials when they come back because their skin is dry."

Euphoria, 213 E. Calder Way, notices an increase in haircut and highlighting appointments, said Julie Nau, salon owner.

To rid themselves of their wan and tired complexions from the lack of sunlight and warmth, students have been tanning to get beach-worthy skin.

Grant Henkel (senior-business management) said he and his friends planned a trip to Cancun and have been preparing their complexions for tropical rays as well as to look appealing to the ladies. "I hate to admit it ... but I don't want to get burnt up on the beach. It'll ruin your time. I think a lot of people go [tanning], but are too embarrassed to admit it," he said. "If it wasn't spring break, I wouldn't waste money on it."

Other students aren't as interested in having a golden glow.

"I might think about it if it came with a gym membership, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it," Chris Williams (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said.

Tan Matters, 2603 E. College Ave., has seen an increase in its tanning business for members, owner Jane Desantis said. "More people have been coming in. They are tanning more because there has been more sunlight recently," she said.

Hollywood Tans, 111 W. Beaver Ave., offers a last-minute resort for those that did not tan all semester long, manager Caroline Kholos said. "The spray tan lasts five days and as it fades, people will be getting a tan where they are," she said.

Nau said requests for tanning massages also increase near spring break.

Access, 214 E. College Ave., is providing vacationers with the latest trends to go out on the town during break, owner Christina Monzillo said. "We sell things that people can wear in town and not look like they should be in Florida," she said. "We buy stuff that's versatile."

Among the most popular picks are brightly-hued tops and bottoms inspired by the 1980s. Bikinis are also selling more, Monzillo said.

Wal-Mart, 373 Benner Pike, expects to receive last-minute business as spring breakers begin to realize what toiletries they need when packing their suitcases, store manager Bill Frantz said.

"We usually see a slight spike in sales during the end of February and beginning of March," he said. "We have learned to carry beach items now. We are prepared."