Most college students are too young to remember the start of the fitness craze. It wasn't until the mid-'70s that exercise began to become more mainstream. Until then, exercise was left for the few crazy big guys who lifted in a "gym" in their neighbor's garage or chose to swim at the YMCA pool.

Now, fitness is big business. Millions of people spend billions of dollars to join gyms, take classes and run races. With the increased interest in all things fitness, the cost of fitness products and services is rising.

Can a college student on a limited budget afford to participate in fitness activities? Absolutely.

Any full-time Penn State student at University Park can purchase a membership to use the on-campus fitness facilities for $35 per semester. A membership allows you to use three workout facilities: the White Building's MBNA Fitness Center, the Fitness Loft at the McCoy Natatorium and the Intramural Building Fitness Center. A membership holder can also participate in more than 120 weekly classes offered at the MBNA Fitness Center.

For those of you who don't like the gym scene, try going for a swim at the natatorium. A daily admission pass is only $3, and you can swim, tread water or attend an "aquacise" class. There are several pools around campus and lots of open swim hours. You can find open swim hours at the natatorium by calling 865-FITT.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to exercise that is a bit more extreme, try rock climbing at the State College YMCA, 677 W. Whitehall Road. Any student who is a member of the Penn State Outing Club can take advantage of the YMCA's gigantic rock-climbing wall for $3 a visit. Bring your Outing Club card on designated nights and climb until your heart -- and heart rate -- soars. For information, call 237-7717.

As snow begins to fall in Centre County, don't forget that sled riding can be a great form of exercise. Take a drive out to Slab Cabin Park, 316 Elmwood St., across from the Sheetz on East College Avenue. It is one of the best sledding hills in State College. Slab Cabin is lit up during some of the winter months for those of you who can't get there during the day. And in case you forget how challenging it can be, one sled ride down Slab Cabin hill will remind you. And then there's the humbling experience of walking back up, which will get your heart rate up.

If you find that your wallet is completely empty, there are still exercise options for you to enjoy. Hike through the abandoned railroad tunnel at Poe Paddy State Park in Milroy, or visit one of the other state parks within an hour's drive of Penn State. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Web site, www.dcnr.state.pa.us, has a list of state parks that allow hiking and biking. The trails are beautiful this time of year, so try to get there before all of the leaves fall.

For those of you who are broke and don't have a car, State College has more than 50 miles of bicycle trails and paths in and around the community. Take a few laps around Tom Tudek Memorial Park off Herman Drive in Ferguson Township, or walk the fitness trail in Sunset Park at the end of McKee Street. Both are free and open to the public, and both have great sights and can rejuvenate even the most exhausted exerciser.

Put on your sweats, wave good-bye to your couch-potato roommate and go out and seek an affordable exercise opportunity.

Just do it!