Hesitant smiles and slight reluctance was a shared experience among Her Campus-MSU members who attended a CHAARG power barre class last Wednesday. CHAARG, standing for Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls, has been “liberating women from the elliptical” since 2012.
CHAARG member, Brianna Hamilton, taught the ass-kicking barre class that made us reconsider buying a gym membership. Hamilton became a Zumba instructor when she was 16. She then started barre workouts after “trying to find something to ‘tone up’ more,” and became a certified barre instructor directly after she fell in love with the fitness practice.
The junior advertising student stumbled upon CHAARG by chance and has been revitalized and refreshed by the empowering group ever since.
“I believe CHAARG recreates girls. It changes their attitudes about themselves, and empowers women to change their health for a long healthy life,” Hamilton said. “You get to workout with and learn from multiple forms of exercise and connect on group events, building that sisterhood-like friendship at MSU that will last even after leaving CHAARG.”
Hamilton explained that CHAARG “empowers girls to build physical and mental strength” and emphasizes the large community dynamic that promotes “girls becoming their happiest and healthiest self.”
“CHAARG is different in the ways it shapes girls. It provides actual and virtual support for college girls to connect and support each other to reach their goals,” Hamilton said. “They support all bodies, all minds and all creativity.”
The empowerment and support among the CHAARG girls was not only refreshing, but contagious.
Fear of judgment due to a tomato red face and excess perspiration seemed to be the least of any girl’s’ worries at the barre class. The atmosphere alluded inclusiveness and peer support, and it was felt by everyone.
At CHAARG, whether you’re a fitness mogul or a girl trying to get into shape who would rather be laying in bed, there is no judgment. The presence of female empowerment is undeniable.
In college, women aren’t always represented equally, and we don’t always have as many options or institutions to connect and support each other as women.
As a woman on a college campus, I feel at peace when I am a part of an inclusive, motivational support group like CHAARG.
Finding your community and your safe realm on campus is crucial in making the most of your college experience, and I believe a group like CHAARG exemplifies these qualities.
“Not only are you in an organization [at CHAARG], you are in a huge family of girls who want to be their best selves,” Hamilton said.