The main purpose of this study was to examine whether participants expressed a preference for a thin fitness instructor compared to fitness instructors of other weights and sizes. Related to this issue were questions of whether fitness instructor body type preferences would vary by the race, physique anxiety, and eating behaviors of those surveyed. Participants were 171 students (116 females and 55 males) enrolled either in Lifetime Fitness or in a physical activity class at a small university in the southeast. There were 116 females and 55 males of two racial/ethnic groups: 120 White/Caucasians and 51 African Americans. The activity PE classes from whom participants were obtained represented all of the activity PE classes being offered during the academic term in which the study was conducted. The convenience sample completed several questionnaires including the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, a sub-scale of the Eating Disorders Inventory and questions regarding perceived importance of the qualifications of exercise leaders. Participants were also shown nine line drawings of people of different body types and asked to indicate which of the figures they felt most closely resembled them currently, which they considered their own ideal physique, and which figure most closely matched the type of person they would like to have as a fitness instructor. Separate sets of figures were shown to male and female participants; otherwise, the questionnaires were identical. Anthropometric and demographic information was collected through a questionnaire on which subjects were asked to report their age, gender, ethnicity, height, present and ideal weight, and college major. Body mass index (kg/m2) scores were calculated from participants’ self-reported height and weight. Subjects were also asked to report on physical activity and exercise habits as well as fasting, diuretic and laxative behaviors. In addition, one question asked subjects to select the qualities (from a list) that they perceived to be important in a fitness leader. Some of these characteristics were directly related to the instructor’s objective qualifications (e.g., certification, degree in exercise science), while others were indicative of more subjective preferences (e.g., thin, same race as participants). Analysis revealed that female participants preferred a thinner fitness instructor than males, and that enthusiasm/motivation and being physically fit were considered the most important characteristics overall. No significant racial differences in key variables were found. Other important findings as well as the implications for exercise leaders and college health and exercise science professionals will be discussed. Keyword(s): adult fitness, college level issues, exercise/fitness