On Wednesday evenings at IM West, Michigan State University students may spot two large groups of women lifting together — cheering, laughing and pushing their limits. It’s more than just a workout. It’s a movement.
To outsiders, it might seem chaotic or inefficient — so many people sharing equipment and rotating through exercises.
But as a member of this group, called Girl Gains MSU, I’ve seen just how beneficial it can be to have a women-centered fitness community full of empowerment, growth and impact in a typically male-dominated space.
"I couldn’t even walk into the gym alone, but now I’m going like every single day all by myself and I just have grown with confidence," said sophomore humanities pre-law major and club member Jacquelyne Thornton.
Stigmas, worries and common misconceptions
Feeling nervous, intimidated, anxious, or self-conscious is common when stepping into the gym for the first time.
As more women embrace strength training and fitness, many still face barriers that prevent them from staying consistent — or even stepping foot in the gym.
"What holds other women back from lifting, is basically just what other people think about them in the gym," said junior neuroscience major and Girl Gains program leader Isabel Kruger.
These feelings are common among gym goers. The space of ambiguity makes people feel uneasy, and a lack of knowledge on how to get started makes the gym daunting. Kruger commonly hears that people are worried that they will be judged based on their form.
The fear of getting started is just one factor that turns women away, but that isn’t the only thing preventing them from entering the gym.
"Something that holds women back from lifting is the idea that you can look too masculine," said junior neuroscience and psychology major and Girl Gains vice president Lara Costeiu. "Some women are afraid of looking too muscular, it’s that notion that you have to be really feminine, you've got to have a slim waist."
Society holds women to a certain standard, and a lot of women may feel they'll gain too much muscle to be feminine if they begin lifting.
In reality, building significant muscle takes years of dedication, and lifting doesn’t automatically lead to bulkiness.
"There’s a lot of weird propaganda about 'you’re not supposed to be big' or 'women aren’t supposed to be trim,'" said sophomore BFA acting major and club member Chisom Anwunah. "Fitness isn’t just about being buff, it’s about meeting your own health goals."
Most of these stigmas and fears are presented by society and pushed onto women, but realizing and understanding these fears helps junior kinesiology major and club social media chair McKenna Stewart lead with empathy, she said.
"Understanding that I felt that way once too, but actually getting them out and trying the exercise shows women they can actually do it," Stewart said.
Girl Gains aims to break down barriers to entry
These challenges inspired the creation of Girl Gains MSU. The club started informally at IM West in spring 2024, quickly drawing women eager to lift in a supportive environment.
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As attendance grew, the need for an official women-centered lifting community became clear. By fall 2024, Girl Gains became an official Registered Student Organization (RSO) at MSU.
Seeing the community rally behind them — whether through growing membership or partnerships with other groups — has been rewarding, Stewart said.
Girl Gains exists to help women feel comfortable, confident and capable in the gym.
The club hosts weekly group lifts every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at IM West, splitting members into beginner and experienced lifters.
Executive board members oversee the groups, ensuring proper form and a safe, effective workout. They also track progress to help members improve each session.
"A few weeks ago, one of our members, Emma, threw on two or three plates on the leg press," Kruger said. "But that was just impressive to me, because I remember a few months ago showing how to do leg press for the first time and she could only do 25’s on the side."
These lifts and giving girls pre-made workouts have proven to be effective, as girls begin to take the knowledge they learn during group lifts to go into the gym by themselves and stay motivated, Stewart said.
"I’ve seen a lot of people go from never going to the gym, or first time going to the gym, to going to the gym at least four times a week consistently after joining Girl Gains and going to our Wednesday meets every week," said sophomore civil engineering major and club secretary Jordyn Chapman.
Girl Gains has successfully built a strong, supportive community, and its growing membership continues to fuel its mission.
Members of Girl Gains are motivated, supported and empowered to prioritize their health and fitness.
"I basically try to force all my friends to join Girl Gains, not going to lie," Anwunah said. "I tell them, it’s so simple, don’t worry about anything, you’re in a whole squad of girls, if anything goes wrong, boom, army, you’re done."
While some women may be nervous to come to their first group lift, the club is nothing short of welcoming.
"Once I joined, everyone was so welcoming, and just smiles on their faces, and I just felt nothing but love," Thornton said
For many women at MSU, Girl Gains is more than just a workout group — it’s a space where confidence is built, friendships are formed and barriers are broken. What started as a simple idea of bringing women together in the gym has evolved into a movement of empowerment and self-growth.
Whether it’s someone learning how to lift for the first time or an experienced lifter pushing for new personal bests, Girl Gains continues to prove that strength is more than just physical.
With every Wednesday night lift, another woman finds her confidence, another member steps into the gym without fear and another barrier is shattered. And as the group continues to grow, so does its impact — one rep at a time.
