CHAARG, a student-run health and wellness group, is here for that. CHAARG stands to Change Health, Attitudes and Actions for Recreate Girls. Their mission is to free girls from the elliptical. More than 100 universities in the U.S. have CHAARG chapter on their campuses, and the UCs chapter has been around since a decade.
Skylar Huster, a second-year communication design student, was used to the routines of competitions and practices after playing for years. She missed the structure of organized sports, and realized she had to find a way for her to be active while at the University of Cincinnati. It can be difficult to know where to begin, especially on a college campus.
For women, it can be daunting to step into the gym for their first time. Many girls find it difficult to know what exercises to do or how to create workouts on their own.
CHAARG, a student-run health and wellness group, is here for that. CHAARG stands to Change Health, Attitudes and Actions for Recreate Girls. Their mission is to free girls from the elliptical. More than 100 universities in the U.S. have CHAARG chapter on their campuses, and the UCs chapter has been around since a decade.
Currently, UC CHAARG is home to 150 members. They aim to provide a supportive environment for women on campus to achieve their fitness goals and build lasting relationships. The group meets every Monday at Tangeman University Center (TUC) for a workout that runs from 6:30 to 7:30 and 7:30 to 8:30 pm. You can also find other events, such as small group meetings or workouts off-campus.
Maria Staubach is a fourth-year double information systems student and marketing student. I joined CHAARG as a freshman. I’ve been there for eight semesters now. It really helps girls to feel confident in themselves and their abilities, and it gives them the tools they need to find the workouts that they enjoy.
Staubach will be the ambassador for CHAARG during the 2021-22 schoolyear. Her goal is for CHAARG to feel natural and organic, and to make girls more comfortable in their fitness journeys.
CHAARG offers TUC-based workouts. The group also attends workouts in various locations around Cincinnati. They also have away workouts at places such as boxing and dance studios. They host social events and a retreat each semester.
We’ve done boxing and cycling classes and we have a strength-and-conditioning workout coming up, said Mariah Mansfield, second year psychology student and CHAARG event coordination coordinator. Also, we will have a dietitian in. That one is exciting to me.
Mansfield joined CHAARG in her freshman year to make friends and keep active. She now plans group workouts and events. The group offers a variety of workouts with the goal to help women find their fitness niche and inspire them to try new things.
Mansfield explained that the group is made up of girls who meet together to do unusual workouts. You don’t need to do cardio every day. You don’t need to be alone in the gym. There are many ways you can be healthy.
CHAARG’s success is due to its social aspect.
People would argue that the social aspect is more important than the actual workouts. Huster said that it all depends on the type of workout you prefer, but there is always a great social atmosphere.
Huster loves CHAARG, not only for the physical aspect but also for the social side. Through CHAARG, I’ve made many good friends. It is a great way for you to meet people outside your major.
Each semester, CHAARG hosts four Socials for members to meet outside the gym. They have returned to in-person events after going virtual due to COVID. CHAARG meets weekly in small groups. A few women lead small groups with one coordinator.
It’s a way for you to be more intimate with your group and hold yourself accountable. Mansfield, the small group coordinator, stated that sometimes we do workouts and other times we meet for coffee and do homework. We discuss anything. They could come to my office with any topic and I would be happy to provide a safe space.
Huster likes small groups as they allow people to get to know each others better. Her small group makes it a point to share the ups and downs of their week in order to create a supportive environment.
Staubach sees great value in women being able to support each other on their fitness journeys. Staubach believes that the fitness industry can be particularly hard on women. CHAARG is a great resource for them.
Staubach said that girls can begin to compare their weight and looks with other girls. This can lead them to degrading themselves and others. It is important to be able to support one another and not be judged by other men or women.
CHAARG, despite being marketed towards women is open to all gender identities.
Staubach said, “Everyone should have the opportunity to explore what kind or movement makes them happy.” If CHAARG is their way to do that, then who am I?
