As individuals in our society engage in fitness or physical activities for various reasons (Wooledge, Screws, & Shorter, 2002), gender has been an essential variable to test different motivational patterns toward fitness activities (Gill, 1992). Are women similar to men regarding reasons for attending lifetime fitness and wellness classes in higher education? Research concerning gender difference is necessary to address this question. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences regarding motivation for attending lifetime fitness and wellness classes among college students. A total of 255 currently enrolled college students (men = 95, women = 160) voluntarily participated in the study. A 13-item Student Motivation Scale (SMS) addressing three factors (Knowledge, Enjoyment/confidence, and Socialization) with acceptable validity and reliability was distributed to voluntary participants during the last week of spring semester 2006. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test independent variable of gender. The MANOVA revealed a significant (Lambda = .951, p < .01) difference in the mean vector of three motivational factors. A follow-up univariate test explored that significant differences existed in the factors of Enjoyment/Confidence (F = 4.51, p < .05) and Socialization (F = 12.21, p < .01) between genders. Men scored higher than women on Enjoyment-confidence (Ms = 5.60 vs. 5.16) and Socialization (Ms = 5.38 vs. 4.59). Male participants tended to be more motivated by their enjoyment and confidence in fitness or physical activity related classes than their female counterparts did. Female participants cited Socialization as their reason for attending lifetime fitness and wellness class to a lesser degree compared to their male classmates. The findings provided quantitative support for the theoretical framework in which gender differences exist when engaging in fitness activities and motivational patterns of individuals. Curriculum designers and class instructors may take this information into consideration to develop innovative lesson plans related to fitness and wellness concepts for meeting both class objectives and individual needs. Keyword(s): adult physical activity/fitness, college level issues, gender issues