The purpose of the current research was to use a qualitative-methodological approach to understand attraction to physical activity in a sample of collegiate females. Attraction to physical activity, or motivation, can be grounded in the self-determination theory (SDT). Based on these results, the secondary purpose was to examine the similarities and differences between collegiate female athletes and non-athletes regarding attraction to physical activity. Participants included eight female athletes and eight female non-athletes. The interviews revealed two overarching themes: attraction and aversion to physical activity, each with subthemes. Understanding motives to engage in physical activity can help program planners create tailored interventions to improve overall exercise adherence. Clinical and collegiate relevance and limitations are discussed as are future research and program implementation suggestions.