Recreational Program Creates Women’s Only Gym Hours

By Gisselle Rueda, Skyline Reporter

ALPINE - Sul Ross State University’s department of recreational programs has implemented two women’s only weight room programs to provide a more comfortable space for women to workout. 

Kara Poole, the director of recreational programs at Sul Ross State University, said that since gyms are often male-dominated spaces, they can be itimidating for women.  

“We want to create a space where women can come to feel confident and empowered,” Poole said. 

As of late, recreational staff members noticed that there has been less participation in intramural sports and weight-lifting by female students and faculty than by men. Empower Hour and Barbell Barbies are two women’s only programs that were implemented as a result of these observations to encourage more female participation. 

Empower Hour is a women’s only weight-room environment that occurs every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Barbell Barbies is a weight-lifting class aimed at teaching women how to properly use weight-lifting equipment to achieve their fitness goals. Barbell Barbies is held every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

All female SRSU students and faculty are welcome to participate in the programs.  

These two programs will run through the end of the semester and will return in the fall.  

This semester is being used as a trial period to gauge participation, but plans to extend the programs’ hours are in the works. 

Due to a low number of participants thus far, attitudes toward the new programs are currently unclear.  

Another purpose of these women’s only programs is to break through obstacles and dispel myths about female weight-lifting. 

Poole would also like to encourage women to become intrigued in strength-training instead of shying away from it. 

“It’s disheartening to think that women are missing out on all of those amazing benefits because of the myths and lies that are often told to women about lifting weights,” Poole said. 

The department of recreational programs plans to create a less intimidating space while providing information to those who want to learn more about weight-lifting.