Meet this week’s campus celebrity, Caitlin Warner! She is a determined and ambitious work out junkie that loves staying busy. When she isn’t focusing on her studies, Caitlin is involved in many student organizations on campus including: Alpha Omicron Pi, President of Psi Epsilon Omicron, a member of SAND, and is in the honors college. Recently, Caitlin has become an ambassador for CHAARG, a women’s health and fitness organization. Being a Human Nutrition and Foods major has helped spark Caitlin’s passion for living a healthy lifestyle.
Q: What is CHAARG for those who don’t know?
A: CHAARG stands for changing, health, attitudes, and actions to recreate girls. It is a woman’s health and fitness organizations and a community where young women can find support and encouragement for their wellness endeavors. Once a week we meet in large groups and have fitness instructors from the area give free classes that you wouldn’t normally find at the rec. These classes include martial arts, MMA, kick boxing and cross fit (11 different ones throughout the semester).
Q: How did you find out about Chaarg?
A: I was a sophomore when I found out about CHAARG and one of my friends new someone that was involved in the organization. They hosted an event at the Victoria’s Secret in Pittsburgh where we did a Total Body Barre workout. It was a newer way for me to work out and it was cool for me to realize that I could work out other ways, besides running, and could still stay healthy. I followed them on social media for a year, joined as a virtual member and instantly fell in love. Everyone was super supportive; I loved the community aspect of it.
Q: What inspired you to bring Chaarg to WVU?
A: The idea of empowering women, to find their fit goal. Sometimes we get so stuck that we can only do a 3 mile run or just an ab workout and don’t realize the other opportunities. There is a prominent stigma with women working out and CHAARG slashes these out and encourages women to work out and be healthy. I wanted women on this campus to have this experience as well.
Q: What role do you have within Chaarg?
A: I am an ambassador for the WVU chapter. I oversee an exec team of 6 women. I report back to nationals making sure everything runs smoothly.
Q: How can those on campus get involved?
A: Students can sign up on the direct link (http://shop.chaarg.com/collections/chaarg-memberships/products/wvu-chaarg). There is $45 semester membership fee that covers all the main events and social events. Once they sign up they will get an email within 24 hours and a welcome packet. On September 7th at 10:30am at the lair we will be having a Labor Day Brunch for members.
Q: How do you think Chaarg will benefit WVU?
A: CHAARG introduces a different atmosphere for women that want to increase their health and fitness routine. There are all these different ways to be healthy that some people don’t know about. I want to reach out to the entire campus and show them that women can be strong too. With CHAARG we can show WVU that everyone can be strong if you work for it.
Q: What do you think the future of CHAARG will be?
A: CHAARG is a fairly new organization founded in 2012 with only 25 chapters so far. I feel they will expand nationally and probably internationally; will be a movement that will change the nation. CHAARG will show women that they can get healthy in the right way; it is simple and innovative. As long as you have a community that supports you, you can get to where you want to be for your health and fitness goals. Hopefully CHAARG will show the nation that it is important to be healthy.
Be sure to follow CHAARG on Twitter: @WVU_CHAARG, Facebook: West Virginia University Chaarg, and Instagram: @Chaarg!
Any Questions email: wvuchaarg@gmail.com