The launch of the Women’s Weightlifting Club is an important step in expanding fitness opportunities for female students, proving strength has no gender. Giving female students the opportunity to engage in weightlifting and building physical strength in a structured and supportive environment, this club aims to create an inclusive space.
As an avid weightlifter herself, Junior Ainsley Gorman noticed a lack of female participation in the gym and wanted to create a supportive space for girls to get involved.
“I really wanted to start the club to create a safe environment for teenage girls,” Gorman said. “I grew up going to the gym with my older brothers, but the moment I had to go alone, it was so intimidating. I want our club to be a place for all girls, to create a place with no judgment and worry.”
The club works to dispel the myth that weightlifting is for athletic purposes only, instead emphasizing its benefits for overall health.
“People need to know that the gym is for everyone,” she said. “It’s about taking care of yourself and growing confidence—not just muscle,” Gorman explained.
For some, joining the club is a way to work on personal fitness goals while having a chance to socialize.
“My best friend started the club, and I decided to join because I wanted to work on some of my fitness goals and work out with my friends,” junior McKenna Gould said. “It’s a great space, low pressure, stress-free, and it helped me improve my strength.”
Gould also explained how the club is not just about fitness but also about building friendships and having a flexible schedule.
“I have friends in the club, so it’s a really nice way to feel productive while also socializing,” she said, “It’s an hour twice a week, so it’s a good balance of working out while still having time afterward.”
The training process itself has its highs and lows, but the rewards outweigh the challenges. Each member is given the opportunity to work on their personal needs.
“My favorite part is just how good I feel throughout the day after working out,” Gorman shares. “It gives me a good burst of dopamine and energy and just leads to me feeling more motivated and productive.”
She also acknowledged the difficulties, adding, “the hardest part is staying consistent, finding a plan, and something to keep you liable.”
For other members, their own unique goals extend beyond just lifting heavier weights and highlights how strength training can benefit everyone.
My personal goals aren’t necessarily about the largest amount of weight I can lift, but more about endurance and strength,” Gould said. “I’m a dancer, so some specific goals of mine are ankle strength and stability for pointe work along with overall stronger leg muscles and core. I’m trying to really improve my control on my turns, so weighted ab workouts have been great!”
Staying motivated can be a challenge, but club members emphasize that having a supportive environment makes all the difference. Sharing their perspective on overcoming self-doubt, some members came forward on the mental behalf of the process.
“Half of starting is a mental battle,” Gorman explains. “I used to be intimidated by the gym, but now I know that no one is really watching or judging. Everyone is too focused on their own goals. The gym is for you.”
Looking ahead, the club hopes to continue providing a welcoming and supportive space for all members. Whether students join to train for sports, meet new people, or build confidence, the club remains dedicated to fostering growth and self-improvement.
Ainsley Gorman is positive that Women in Weightlifting will continue to thrive. “[I hope] it stays as a strong, positive place for the girls at Meridian. There are many girls there who want to train for sports, who are scared to do sports, have never touched weights, and just follow their friends. It’s a huge bundle of girls all there for the same reason—growing confidence.”
