Heads turned in curiosity as almost one hundred girls strolled across the green dressed in workout attire with water bottles in hand. This was the beginning of a movement. The CHAARG movement.
“Hoo rah, Hoo rah!” the girls later chanted in their circular formation, which spread across half of Landis Green. The jumping jacks and high knees performed in this circle to the tunes of rap music were just the beginning of a high-intensity circuit workout hosted by LB’s Bootcamps. As LB walked from station to station shouting, “Come on CHAARG ladies, I know you can do it,” members of the girls exercise club completed sets of minute-long workouts, such as ladders, pushups, bicycles, rope pulls and partner leg lifts. On Wednesday, September 5, CHAARG took over Landis Green.
Formed in 2012 by Elisabeth Tavierne, CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes, and Actions to Recreate Girls) has been reaching universities across the nation. With the slogan, “Liberating girls from the elliptical,” the club aims to provide a more fun, diverse, and supportive atmosphere for college-aged girls to exercise.
Although the organization focuses on fitness, CHAARG goes beyond just a “workout club,” as their VP Membership, Casey Archual, explained, “We strive to become the best versions of ourselves, both mentally and physically. We empower and support each other no matter where we are in our fitness journeys. You can be 100% yourself and feel confident doing it. I have never felt more myself and in the right place. I truly have found my home.”
Interested in expanding her social group, Junior, Lexi Dominguez joined the club this semester, immersing herself in the family vibe that CHAARG embodies. The boot camp was her first group workout with the girls. Though the workouts challenged her, as it did all the other members, the end result was fulfilling.
“I felt amazing. Although I was tired and already sore, my energy level was high, and my mood felt so uplifted. I genuinely felt happy. My favorite part was all the girls supporting each other,” Dominguez said.
The boot camp provided a sneak peek of the weekly Wednesday workouts coming up this semester for CHAARG members. Every week, a different studio will host a workout session for the whole club. The types of exercises range from pilates to kickboxing and even pole fitness. In addition to the large group events, members will participate in small group workouts and socials, such as a tailgate and a rock & roll themed welcome party.
“Our event blew my expectations away. I wanted to cry. It’s amazing to see girls motivating each other and cheering each other on. That’s what CHAARG is all about. We are so excited and hope everyone joins us for our best semester yet. CHAARGON!” Archual said.
If you are interested in joining CHAARG, visit https://shop.chaarg.com/collections/florida-state-university to choose from three different priced options and obtain your membership with a community of supportive and accepting women. You even receive a CHAARG t-shirt and water bottle with the purchase of the highest level of membership