Image Courtesy of Illinois State University
NORMAL, Ill. – After feeling like something was missing her freshman year at Illinois State University, Senior Exercise Science Major Aneesa Ortega created Girl Gains ISU as a safe space for women on campus to weightlift together.
“When I was a freshman coming to ISU, I had already been looking to join an RSO and clubs,” Ortega said. “Specifically, I was looking for a weightlifting club, and there weren’t any at the time when I was a freshman… I was looking for that so bad that I was like, ‘Why don’t I just start one?’”
With the original organization starting at San Diego State University, Ortega reached out with the idea of starting a chapter at ISU. Following this success, Ortega began to network. Growing an audience on social media and going up to girls in person proved to be her most successful avenue of spreading the word.
“I actually started going up to girls at the gym. And I was like, ‘Hey, I’m starting this club; if you’re interested in joining, here’s some more info’. And then I actually went around asking girls, ‘Would you be able to help me solidify this club by being on the executive board?’ So I met a few girls that were interested, and we started it as executives,” Ortega said, “From there, we had more help to establish it on campus.”
Girls Gains sits at 161 members this semester. The club has general meetings, social bonding events, and group workouts every month at the Student Fitness Center. They also split up into different groups when working out together to cater to all lifting experience levels.
For Ortega, the best part about her flagship RSO is being able to spark confidence in other women. She believes this club has a positive impact on women, as has created a safe space for them on campus to lift together with no judgment.
“This is what we’re missing,” Ortega said. “I feel like we’re missing a weightlifting club and a weightlifting club that helps women.”
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