Fitness club seeking more participants
HPU’s Chaarg chapter plans to host several workout events throughout the Piedmont Triad this semester. Photo by Belmont Vision
By Olivia Krumpe
Staff Writer
Chaarg is the newest fitness group to join High Point University this semester. This national organization aims to help college women find a love for being active and help to “liberate girls from the elliptical.”
“I truly hope that all of our members find their passion for health and fitness — whatever that means to them,” said Elisabeth Tavierne, founder of Chaarg. “While Chaarg focuses a lot on fitness, living a healthy life is so much more than the physical aspect. I hope all of our members grow to embrace a healthy and happy lifestyle.”
Chaarg is membership-based and includes access to weekly workouts and small group get-togethers and retreats, along with the potential to meet new people.
Erin Schoeberle, an HPU sophomore, is a university ambassador and the reason Chaarg arrived on campus. She first learned about Chaarg through her friend who participates in Syracuse University’s chapter.
“Closer to before we were let out for quarantine, I looked at the Chaarg website and saw what it was all about.” said Schoeberle. “In the back of my head, I thought maybe I should start the Chaarg chapter at High Point. One day, I found the application, and I thought ‘Let’s get on top of this.’”
Along with Schoeberle, HPU’s Chaarg executive board includes Vice President of membership Faith Mihk, Vice President of media Kelsey Harper, Event Coordinators Ashley King and Meagan Gutheu, Treasurer Karenna Nambiar and Secretary Dreama Pittman.
Chaarg has hosted two virtual workouts this semester. The first occurred on Aug. 26 in the Cottrell Amphitheatre through Zoom. Students gathered for a 30-minute workout, led by Allison Carrol from Campus Rec. The second workout, a 2000s-themed Zumba class, was led by HPU sophomore Wesley Wilson on Sept. 2.
The workout was also planned to be held in the Cottrell Amphitheatre; however, it was completely moved to Zoom. Despite the organization’s executive board having to replan the workouts strictly for Zoom with short notice, Schoeberle believes it is a great example of the group’s perseverance.
“Perseverance is my favorite word right now, and that’s the message I want to have for Chaarg and other High Point students,” said Schoeberle. “It’s important to have that growth mindset, and come out the other side seeing the positives of the situation.”
Although the event’s turnout was not as high as the board was expecting, those who joined expressed that they had a great time and enjoyed the workout.
Until HPU’s Student Government Association lifts the two-week hold on club and organization events, Chaarg’s workouts will be held over Zoom. After the hold is lifted, the organization plans to return to hosting normal workouts, as well as planning events with other chapters and workout studios in the area.
“We’re in talks with Pure Barre in High Point,” said Schoeberle. “We’re working with 9Round Kickbox Fitness. We’re also working with F45 Training in Winston-Salem at the end of October. We’re going to be doing a cross-chapter event with Wake Forest.”
HPU’s Chaarg chapter is also trying to have instructors from the Greensboro area teach self-defense and circuit classes this semester.
Freshman Maggie Weinbaum was one of several students to sign up for a Chaarg membership at HPU.
“I wanted to join Chaarg because I want to get in shape with a fun group of girls,” said Weinbaum. “I also wanted to meet new people, since I am a freshman, and I figured this would be a good way to do so.”
With over 9,800 members and chapters at 90 college campuses across the nation, Chaarg has grown to include workouts, a podcast, a blog with recipes and health product recommendations and Chaarg gear.
While training to bring Chaarg to HPU, Schoeberle said that she went through a complete transformation. She believes other girls should join Chaarg to have the same experience.
“It has changed my mindset about fitness and my mental health,” said Schoeberle. “I came back to school, and people said, ‘You’ve changed,’ and I said, ‘Chaarg.’ ”
The support system and friendship that comes with a Chaarg membership is another perk.
“Chaarg is the most inclusive, welcoming and loving organization for women everywhere,” said Schoeberle. “We aren’t a sorority, so we can’t say sisterhood, but we are tight like sisters.”
For more information about Chaarg, students are welcomed to visit www.chaarg.com. To learn more about HPU’s chapter, students can contact the executive board at hpuchaarg@gmail.com, on Instagram at @hpu_inchaarg or on Facebook at High Point University-Chaarg.