Whether they are working out on campus or in the city, the Girl Gains Chapter of USF gathers women who prioritize living a healthy lifestyle and staying fit. Girl Gains aims to provide a safe environment for women to workout and also provides opportunities to try different kinds of workouts, according to junior biology major and co-president of the club, Risha McGriff.
“Girl Gains is a community where we welcome all gym or fitness levels,” McGriff said. “Our goal is to have opportunities for girls to go off campus to like SoulCycle, BodyRok, which is like a Pilates organization, even like hot girl walks, runs and just socializing with girls with the same mindset.”
McGriff said, “Last year, we actually had a designated time where all of us would go together [to the gym]. Even though we’re not working out together, we’re not doing the same workouts, it’s nice to see familiar faces in the gym. You feel comfortable.”
Similarly to the experience of senior psychology major Khelsi Petigny, who created Women’s Club Basketball due to feeling unwelcomed and uncomfortable when playing pickup against mostly men, McGriff said, “I think of girls, when we had our tabling for SLE, their main problem was that they feel uncomfortable at the gym because of the male to female ratio and also just not knowing what to do in the gym.”
Some upcoming events include a free cycling class with SoulCycle on Sept. 26 and a guest speaker visit about nutrition and meal prep. McGriff said that she’s never done biking exercises, and highlighted that the organization allows women to try new things outside of their comfort zones.
For McGriff, an emphasis on nutrition and fitness in her life has greatly improved how she feels throughout the day, and she hopes that others in the organization will join her.
“I’ve been trying to eat a lot more whole foods, which has made a significant impact. I don’t have crashes throughout the day, and I just feel more energized,” she said. “I feel like with school, it can be very stressful, and with the gym, I think it’s a good space for me to release some stress and be in my own thoughts with music.”
Vice President and junior biology major Leia Peralta said, “Girl Gains helped me to meet people with the same goals as me. My very best friends were made by simply making plans to go to the gym together,” she said. “There is also something special about being in college where everyone is a 10 minute walk from the gym. […] Having people that are also excited about lifting and wanting to try new things motivates me to set higher goals.”
Peralta said her favorite event was when they did a deadlift workshop at Equinox gym.
“I was impressed with the physical trainers there, as they were very knowledgeable. They would guide you through stretching with every muscle in mind and correct your form. It was definitely nice to talk to professionals in their field who were passionate about what they do,” she said.
Madison Leiwehiokohala Viernes, a public health major and Secretary and Treasurer of Girl Gains, said, “Being surrounded by like-minded people who want to achieve similar goals is so empowering. And I completely agree with the idea that the people you surround yourself with are who you’ll become.”
Viernes joined the club during the fall of 2023 as a first-year, and looks back towards the experience of doing a fitness class at Salesforce Park.
“It was my first time going down to that part of the city, and I was completely amazed by the floating park basically,” she said. “Plus, the girls were so nice, and we had a great workout.”
McGriff said, “Just come to Girl Gains. Understand what working out is, understand what nutrition is. And I feel like that can encourage you to start going to the gym [and] bettering yourself.”
To learn more about Girl Gains, check out their instagram @girlgainsusfca
