By Diana Runkel

As the semester begins, many student organizations are in the process of recruiting. One of these organizations is CHAARG.

CHAARG is an all-women’s fitness group that stands for Changing Health Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls. At the Ohio State University in 2012, Elisabeth Tavierne noticed that many women looked uncomfortable at the campus gym. She then set out to show women just how much fun working out can be.

Sarah Clem then heard about this group and started her own chapter at the University of Cincinnati. Now there are over 100 chapters at various colleges throughout the United States.

The CHAARG chapter at the University of Louisville was started in Spring 2025 by founding ambassador Reagan Cariño.

“My sister was in CHAARG at the University of South Carolina,” said Cariño, “[She saw] the sense of community it built for her being so far from home. I was feeling the same way […] and really wanted to build that sense of community for myself.”

With a membership in CHAARG, members can participate in weekly workouts, small groups, and socials. These workouts change throughout the semester and include activities such as cycling, CrossFit, Pilates, and martial arts.

Sully Kosmach, current treasurer of CHAARG, also enjoys the community built by CHAARG.

“It’s a good way for people to make new friends and try new workout classes with a group,” Kosmach said.

For those who want to sign up, there are two types of CHAARG memberships to consider: The Inspire membership and the Ignite membership.

The Inspire membership is a semester-long option. It costs $64 for eight workouts and 2-3 socials.

The Ignite membership is a year-long option. It costs $138 and includes 16 workouts and 6 socials. The Ignite membership also includes a free T-shirt.

Both memberships also include a weekly small group meeting. In these small groups, members can get closer to one another and participate in smaller activities together.

During the recruitment period, a sample workout is offered to anyone interested. The sample workout for fall has already passed, but a new one will be offered at the
beginning of the spring semester.

Gillian Mathauer, a new member of CHAARG, reflected on this sample workout.

“It was a great experience, everyone was very nice, and it was a comfortable environment to try something new,” she said.

The deadline for the fall semester membership is Sept. 7.

You can contact CHAARG through their Instagram account, @louisville_inchaarg, for more details and to sign up at the link in their bio.