In the past, women have been at the forefront of the “race-to-be-fit” craze. In general, women have seemed more concerned than men about gaining weight and looking their best.

However, recently the scales seem to be balancing out. Tracy Reisenrath, an exercise physiologist at the Iowa State Wellness Center said at least 50 percent of her clients are men.

One of the tasks Reisenrath performs at the Wellness Center is fitness assessment tests.

General height and weight are measured during the test. Flexibility, cardiovascular fitness level and strength level also are measured. These tests, along with a body fat count, help to plan an appropriate fitness program for each client.

Reisenrath said there are a variety of goals that men who visit the center want to achieve.

Scott Ryan, senior in biology, wants to gain weight by adding more muscle mass to his body.

“I want to gain muscle tone so I know I need to go to the gym, but that is sometimes a problem,” he said.

Ryan also is aware that he does not always eat properly.

“I definitely do not eat enough vegetables or drink enough milk,” Ryan said.

Reisenrath said many male clients are taking supplements to aid in weightlifting.

“Lately, I have had a lot of guys in the center that are participating in weight lifting competitions,” she said.

Karthik Burju, senior in finance, experienced weight gain in college. Burju came to ISU weighing 185 pounds, and by the end of his first year, he weighed 225 pounds.

“I did nothing my freshman year,” he said. “I ate large pizzas, smoked cigarettes, drank a lot of beer and played Sega all day.”

By his sophomore year, Burju began to workout. He played basketball, lifted weights and made a conscious effort to eat low-fat foods.

Burju said he lost all of the weight he had gained by “changing my overall lifestyle.”

Reisenrath said more men are becoming concerned with maintaining or losing weight, rather than just gaining muscle.

“Many of my male clients realize that, yeah, they can go lift weights, but that it’s also important to get some aerobic activity to burn fat,” Reisenrath said.

Jason Vega, senior in marketing, played on the ISU hockey team for four years. Now that he is no longer playing, he said he rarely exercises and he has gained weight.

Vega plans to get back in shape when he graduates this December.

“I have worked out my whole life, now it is my turn to relax,” Vega said.