Club Spotlight: Girl Gains Dickinson

Building Strength and Community on Campus

by Alex Sonfield '25

When Helena Holley ’25 arrived at Dickinson, she loved the sense of community but felt something was missing when it came to women’s fitness. The gym, especially the weightlifting section, could feel intimidating, and there wasn’t a clear space for women to feel comfortable and supported in their fitness journeys.

During her sophomore year, she and her roommate discovered Girl Gains, a national organization dedicated to empowering women through weightlifting and fitness. They applied to start a chapter at Dickinson, and in November 2022, Girl Gains Dickinson officially launched as a sports club. The response was immediate, with over 200 members joining in just a few months.

Now, as a senior, Holley has passed the leadership on to a new executive team, but the organization continues to grow. In this Q&A, she reflects on the journey of building and what it means to create a lasting community for women in fitness.

When you first got to Dickinson, what felt missing in terms of women’s health and fitness?

The gym could be really intimidating, especially in the weightlifting section. It always felt like guys dominated the space, and even though no one was outright unwelcoming, it wasn’t exactly inviting either. There wasn’t really a space where women could go, feel comfortable and be encouraged to lift or try new workouts without feeling watched or judged. I think a lot of women just stuck to cardio machines because that’s where they felt safe.

What made you want to do something about it?

My roommate and I talked about it all the time. We both wanted to feel more confident in the gym, and we knew other women probably felt the same way. It just felt like something was missing, a real community where women could learn, support each other and actually enjoy working out without the stress. We started looking into ways to make that happen and create something that would actually help people.

How did you find Girl Gains, and what stood out about it?

We came across Girl Gains while researching organizations that focus on women’s fitness, and it immediately clicked. It started in 2020 at San Diego State University, and their whole mission is to promote female weightlifting while building an empowering and judgment-free community. That was exactly what we had been searching for. We loved how it wasn’t just about working out. It was about confidence, education and supporting each other. So we applied to start a chapter at Dickinson, and once we got approved, we got to work.

What was it like launching Girl Gains Dickinson?

Honestly, it blew us away. We had no idea how many people would actually be interested, but within just a few months, over 200 members had joined. It showed us how many women on campus had been looking for the same thing, a space where they could feel supported in their fitness journeys. Seeing it grow so fast was really exciting, and it made all the work we put in feel worth it.

You co-founded and led the organization for over a year. Now that you’ve passed it on, how does it feel to see it continue without you?

It’s so rewarding. We started this just hoping to make the gym a little less intimidating, and now it has become a real community that is still growing. Seeing new leaders step up and take it even further is amazing. It makes me feel like we really built something that mattered, something that is going to keep helping women at Dickinson long after we’re gone.

Girl Gains offers a lot of different programs. Which ones stand out the most to you?

One of the biggest things we did was partner with Carlisle Core Fitness & Health to run an eight-week boot camp. It was a great way for members to build strength in a structured but supportive environment. We also started the Gym Buddies program, which was all about helping people find workout partners with similar goals. And we worked with local fitness studios like Embody to offer more ways for our members to stay active outside of the gym. Seeing how much people connected through these programs was really special.

Looking back, what has been the most meaningful part of this whole experience for you?

Honestly, just knowing that we helped create a space where women feel stronger and more confident. It started as a conversation in our dorm room, and now it has become something that has impacted so many people. Girl Gains isn’t just about fitness. It is about showing up for yourself, pushing past self-doubt, and knowing you have a whole community behind you. That is what makes me the proudest.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Published February 25, 2025

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