For college women, finding a fitness routine and feeling comfortable going to the gym alone can be difficult. According to a survey by FitRated, 70.9% have had an interaction or experience that made them feel uncomfortable at the gym; this combined with potential inexperience in the gym can make working out intimidating for women.
CHAARG is an organization that changes the narrative for women’s health and well-being, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere for all levels of fitness experience. It stands for “Changing Health, Attitudes, and Actions to Recreate Girls” and is located at over 100 campuses nationwide.
At OU, CHAARG has around 60 members with the goal of introducing women to different types of workouts and well-being activities in the tough adjustment from living at home to being independent in college.
Cailey Rogers, a junior studying human development and family sciences, is the vice president of membership in CHAARG. She spoke about joining CHAARG as a way to replicate the structure she had as a high school athlete.
“I feel like it's very intimidating when you go into college and you're trying to figure out different lifestyles,” Rogers said. “I needed that support of how to guide and figure that out, and I've never met more of a positive and kind group of women.”
CHAARG provides a variety of workouts such as HIIT, yoga, martial arts classes, CrossFit, cycling and POUND, instructed by the staff at Ping Recreation Center, alumni, outside instructors or executive board members.
The entire club is invited to the weekly workouts from 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday, but CHAARG also offers small groups for people of similar fitness experiences, goals or interests to meet together more throughout the week.
“For small groups, it's basically a way to get closer with certain people so that you're more motivated to go to the workouts,” said Julia Robinson, a junior studying marketing and the vice president of media in CHAARG. “Because sometimes, obviously when you don't know people, or you're joining a club by yourself, it's a little bit difficult to get the courage to go.”
CHAARG also focuses on mental well-being in combination with physical fitness. They have worked with other heath-centered organizations such as Her Campus and the OU Nutrition Club to fundraise and educate students about how to stay on top of their health.
Anna Richcreek, a senior studying acting, is the treasurer of CHAARG. She talked about the bonding events outside of the workouts and how CHAARG prioritizes mental health just as much as physical health.
“We're working toward a much bigger social this semester, which we're calling Camp CHAARG, which is basically going to be meeting at one of our homes, and just a big bonding event, having food, movies, self-care opportunity and spreading the love that way,” Richcreek said.
An important aspect of CHAARG is the inclusive and welcoming environment it fosters. With the diversification of workouts, CHAARG opens up opportunities for the types of workouts women feel comfortable doing. Richcreek shared her purpose of ensuring no woman feels alone in her fitness journey.
“I think that a lot of girls, they come in and they're like, ‘I would love to be able to go into the gym and know how to use the equipment and not be intimidated by people using it,’” Richcreek said. “It's a great way to come together and be like, ‘We're going to do this as a team. You're not going to be alone anymore, we're going to help you, and we're going to figure it out together.’”
The organization’s bond is what keeps members involved; the friendships formed in CHAARG are strong and built on the positive pillar of women’s well-being.
“I really just love spreading the idea of how a positive community can be; I feel like in college, it is very important to have that,” Rogers said. “Now that I'm a junior, I wouldn't know where I'd be without my CHAARG girls.”
CHAARG is open about mental health and provides resources for its members to go to if they are struggling. Mental health plays a huge part in overall well-being, and this organization removes the stigma of struggling with mental health as a college woman.
“Especially when school is so crazy, being able to provide a safe environment where everyone feels loved and welcomed, and that these girls know that there's at least seven people on this campus that they can go to,” Robinson said. “We try to do really good about being open with mental health and break down the barriers.”
