When Juan De La Rosa hears the familiar chant of “five, six, seven, eight,” his daily workout routine begins.

The SF State senior's “dancer’s body” is a product of 14 hours of movement classes a week, plus countless hours of practice.

“I've always thought of joining a gym, but dance seems to suffice,” said De La Rosa, 23, a dance student.

De La Rosa chose dance because it’s a total body work out that builds strength by using his own weight.

“I push myself because I love the art of it,” he said. “I don’t think I could push myself as hard at a gym on a treadmill.”

As the struggle to drop those last holiday pounds is in full effect, students have a variety of options to help them achieve the toned body of their New Years dreams. From kickboxing to stripping routines and intense sex positions, going for a run may seem so last year.

Having fun is something to consider when struggling to maintain any fitness routine.

The “Position of the Day Playbook” features a variety of sex positions and ways to get the most aerobic results from sex.

People who engage in missionary style can burn 54 calories a session, while the “Rock Me Amadeus,” position can burn up to 96 calories.

"If my options are jogging around a track or having sex for an hour, I'll pick option two," said senior Laura Frank.

However, keeping up with any exercise is key.

“The body doesn’t care how it burns the calories, it just needs to burn them,” said Student Health Center Nutritionist Teresa Leu. “It’s important that the individual enjoys it and wants to continue with it.”

While imaginative sex positioning is great for resistance training, there are also more creative ways to work cardio into the bedroom.

Carmen Electra’s “Aerobic Striptease” DVD can help anyone become an exotic dancer while also burning calories. This five-part series combines cardio exercise with stimulating dance moves.

Marketing senior Laura Meyer, 22, found Electra’s teaching methods to be both a good work out and fun time.

“I still do it every now and again…I learned a thing or two,” Meyer said.

For those who aren’t interested in sexually-enhanced workouts, the Kinesiology department offers classes in aerobics, yoga, jogging, martial arts, and weight training.

SF State graduate Jared Martin, 26, frequently took classes that allowed him to get a good work out without the high costs of a gym membership. He particularly liked the guided training he received from the teacher.

“It was like a gym membership with a personal trainer and I got a couple units for it too.” Martin said.

Beyond the physical results from exercising is the mental gratification from the willpower exerted.

Even after De La Rosa finishes his four hour morning routine of lifting, tossing, and catching other dancers, his upper back is killing him - but that doesn't stop him from going back for more.

“My next rehearsal is in two hours,” he said. "I love the way [dancing] makes my body look and feel."