The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a semester long physical activity and wellness course on cardiovascular fitness in college students. A total of 109 students (75 male, 34 female, respectively) completed a pre-post YMCA three-minute step test and health/demographic survey as part of their 2.0 credit university required activity and wellness course. The main outcome measure was resting heart rate, which is an indicator of cardiovascular fitness. A comparison of means was made for the overall group, between genders, and across breakfast eating categories. The mean age of the subjects was 19.89 (18-46), with 79% listed as first year college students. BMI was reported for eighty six subjects, with an overall mean of 23.95 (males 24.67, females 22.60, respectively). Frequency of breakfast consumption was noted, with 22.9% reporting never eating breakfast, 33.0% eating breakfast 1-2 times weekly, 15.6% eating 3-4 times weekly and 28.4% eating breakfast at least 5 times weekly. Overall recovery heart rate was no different between the pre-post test (98.43 bpm vs. 98.64 bpm, respectively; p=0.517). Differences for males and females in recovery heart rate were not evident on the pre-test, however, the post-test revealed a significant male-female difference (93.53 bpm vs. 106.00 bpm, respectively; p=0.001), with men improving (98.33 bpm vs. 93.53 bpm, respectively; p=0.002), and women decreasing (98.64 bpm vs. 106.00 bpm, respectively; p=0.034). One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in recovery heart rate on the pre-test between students who reported never eating breakfast and those eating breakfast at least 5 days weekly (104.12 bpm vs. 92.45 bpm, respectively; p=0.05). This random sample of students showed no improvement in cardiovascular fitness at semesters end after meeting once a week for an activity lab. However, gender differences existed, as men improved and women regressed on their cardiovascular fitness scores. Also, students avoiding breakfast had much higher recovery heart rates, or lower fitness, than those who ate breakfast regularly. This may be an indication of other health related behaviors, and will be studied further. Ultimately, it is encouraging to note that the overall mean recovery heart rates did not get any worse throughout the semester, although there was no control group for comparison. Future research will increase sample size to strengthen the results, and further investigate the negative trend seen in female fitness scores.Keyword(s): college level issues, exercise/fitness, health promotion