Sports

The real reason why women are flocking to female

Tegan said women simply don’t want to work out with men around. “Our goal has always been – and will continue to be – to encourage women to move their bodies safely and efficiently in an environment they love, where they feel supported and motivated. “Some women may also hesitate to go to mixed-gender gyms […]

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2 months ago

March 23, 2025

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The real reason why women are flocking to female

Tegan said women simply don’t want to work out with men around.

“Our goal has always been – and will continue to be – to encourage women to move their bodies safely and efficiently in an environment they love, where they feel supported and motivated.

“Some women may also hesitate to go to mixed-gender gyms due to intimidation, discomfort, and fear of judgment, which is something we saw firsthand with our mixed-gender gym. “Additionally, religious and cultural factors can play a role in the preference and demand for female-only studios, something we also have lots of experience with within our community of women.”

Tegan said from her own experience, she has walked into gyms and not been familiar with certain pieces of equipment — and no one has taken the time to explain it to her. She said if she feels this way with more than 20 years of experience, how would others feel in that environment?

“The whole debate around female-only gyms is really about whether they’re empowering or just creating division. On one hand, they can offer a safer, more comfortable space for women to workout in, especially for those who might feel self-conscious or intimidated in mixed-gender gyms,” the women said.

“What we offer is our groups are small, so when you come in and do a weights class there is only 12 people in there so you always get that personal training experience,” she said.

“It’s not about keeping up with music or lifting a certain amounts. You lift what you can and do as many reps as you can. It’s about technique.”

But, no matter what, they believe that there will always be a place for female-only fitness spaces.

“Many women feel more comfortable working out in an environment where they are free from unwanted attention, which can help them feel more confident and focused on their fitness goals,” Diana and Felicia said.

“This insight led us to open our sister gym that catered exclusively to women. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and many of our members preferred training at the female-only facility over the mixed-gender gym.”

So she opened a group training studio to support and guide women on their weightlifting journey, saying she loves being able to help women gain confidence to lift heavy weights. She said it also helps women break the stereotype that they can only do cardio to lose weight, allowing them to step into a new style of fitness.

“There is always going to be something that holds them back, and if that is the thing if you can make it more accessible why is that a bad thing?”

“Ultimately, it comes down to the gym’s vibe, purpose, and intention. If gym owners want to create a space where women feel comfortable and safe, as we did with ours, it can absolutely be a positive thing — and we’re all for it.”

She then completed a personal trainer course and opened up her own business.

“If you don’t have individual spaces you’re going to have a whole group of women who may not take that next step,” she said.

However, as she grew her business she quickly realized that traditional gym formats were intimidating for women — particularly when it came to weightlifting.

But the women, who have 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry, quickly noticed something.

Diana and Felicia shared a similar stance.

“I hadn’t put a huge amount of thought into it. I just wanted to get started and gain my confidence in the industry. I felt like starting out by just training women gave me an edge.”

The duo said when they first opened their gym, weightlifting for women was still in its early stages. But, now, there has been a significant increase in women not only lifting but lifting heavy weights with confidence.

Diana Johnson and Felicia Oreb, who now own women-only personal training business Base Body Babes Studio, opened their first gym in 2014 alongside Felicia’s husband Sebastian Oreb.

“Unwanted attention, such as stares, comments, or harassment, can create an uncomfortable or unsafe environment, discouraging women from fully participating or returning to the gym,” the pair explained.

They said Base Body Babes Studio provides a “safe and supportive environment” that allows women to work out “safely and efficiently”.

The importance of female-only gyms has always been a hot topic. However, recent incidents like Californian woman Bella Belnap having a man lurking outside her pilates class and a man taking images outside of a Fernwood in Brisbane have reignited the issue.

The topic of female-only gym spaces has always been one of hot debate but the owners of two training studios have revealed why it’s so important.

“While we absolutely loved the gym and our members did too, we noticed early on that many of the women were requesting to train during times when the male members weren’t on the gym floor,” Diana and Felicia told news.com.au.

Tegan runs the Sydney business Fit Reflection, getting into fitness after having her second child in her mid-20s. She joined a gym for the first time and while it was “daunting and intimidating” she had a personal trainer who encouraged her.

“Initially when I opened my own business and started training women it was more from a marketing perspective,” she told news.com.au.

“On the other hand, some argue that these gyms could reinforce gender boundaries and create division. We can appreciate both sides, however, for us, as women and personal trainers with decades of experience in the gym, we believe there is a clear demand for this type of facility.

Diana and Felicia said from their own experience of 25 years worth of weightlifting, plus being in the fitness industry, the presence of men could lead to self-consciousness or intimidation – especially in heavy weightlifting areas.

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Greenwaldt and Martens Close Viking Careers at Day Two of NCAA Championships

Story Links PUEBLO, Colo. – Augustana track and field collected two more All-America honors on day two of action at the NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships, this time at the hands of Bryn Greenwaldt and Andrew Martens. In the women’s high jump, Greenwaldt cleared a height of 5-06.00 (1.68m) […]

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8 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

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PUEBLO, Colo. – Augustana track and field collected two more All-America honors on day two of action at the NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships, this time at the hands of Bryn Greenwaldt and Andrew Martens.

In the women’s high jump, Greenwaldt cleared a height of 5-06.00 (1.68m) to finish 15^th overall in the tightly-contested field. Her placing gave her Second Team All-America honors to add to her storied career as a Viking.

Over in the men’s 110-meter hurdle prelims, Martens clocked a speedy time of 13.77 seconds in the first heat of the event. It was the fourth-fastest clocking in his heat and was eighth-fastest overall, but an automatic qualifying time in the final heat edged out Martens for the bid to the event finals. He finishes with Second Team All-America honors to cap off a record-breaking career at Augustana.

The final day of the national championships will conclude for Augustana in the form of Ryan Hartman, who will compete in the 5000-meter run at approximately 9:30 p.m. CT.

–GoAugie.com–

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Empire 8 All-Americans Crowned on Day Two of 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/23/2025 5:27:24 PM Story Links 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships Live Results 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Live Video Senior Ann Brennan of SUNY Geneseo, […]

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31 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

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Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/23/2025 5:27:24 PM

Senior Ann Brennan of SUNY Geneseo, freshman Alexa Belanger of Houghton University and Geneseo sophomore Pierce Young earned First Team All-American honors on day two of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday, May 23 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, OH.

Belanger began the day by finishing tied for eighth in the high jump. She was successful on her first two attempts of the day, clearing both 1.60 and 1.65 meters before missing her attempts at 1.68 meters.

Young, who qualified for 3,000-meter steeplechase championship after finishing sixth in the prelims yesterday, was in the top-five for nearly the entire race, climbing to as high as third at the 1,400 meter mark. Young would finish the race in fifth place, crossing the finish line in a time of 8:56.03.

Brennan, who recorded the second best time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase prelims on Thursday, raced just outside the lead pack for the second half of the final, hitting the finish line sixth overall in a time of 10:33.24 which shattered her own Empire 8 record by 17 one-hundredths of a second.

Jillian Ambler of Geneseo earned NCAA Second Team All-American honors in the 100-meter hurdles after placing 10th in the prelims Friday in a time of 14.13 seconds. Her teammate Janelle Eckl was 13th in the prelims of the 800-meters to garner Second Team All-American honors in the event.

On the men’s side, Matthew Sheehan placed 11th in the prelims of the 800-meters and Jacob Miller was 12th in the 400-meter prelims to both garner Second Team All-American honors.

Yesterday, Geneseo senior Penelope Greene rolled to the win in the 10,000-meter championship race in a time of 33:46.70 to become the sixth different Empire 8 student-athlete to win a women’s outdoor track and field national title. She will look to earn the double in the 5,000-meters on Saturday afternoon.

Also on Thursday, Geneseo graduate student Charlie Wilson crossed the finish line third in the 10,000-meter run in an Empire 8 all-time record time of 29:21.43 but was moved up to second and national runner-up honors due to a disqualification.

Below is a complete list of the Empire 8 student-athletes who competed in the NCAA Championships on Friday and those who are set to compete on Saturday. Action begins from SPIRE with Zoe Connor of Geneseo competing in the hammer throw, starting at 11 a.m.

WOMEN’S FRIDAY RESULTS

3,000-Meter Steeplechase

Ann Brennan, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – second in prelims, sixth in finals – 10:33.24

First Team All-American; All-Time Empire 8 Record

High Jump

Alexa Belanger, Fr., Houghton – tied for eighth – 1.65 meters (5′ 5″)

First Team All-American

100-Meter Hurdles

Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – tenth in prelims – :14.13

Second Team All-American

Cierra Franz, Sr., St. John Fisher – 17th in prelims – :14.48

800-Meter Run

Janelle Eckl, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – 2:12.52

Second Team All-American

Sierra Doody, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 17th in prelims – 2:15.79

400-Meter Dash

Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – 17th in prelims – :56.20

MEN’S FRIDAY RESULTS

3,000-Meter Steeplechase Prelims

Pierce Young, So., SUNY Geneseo – eighth in prelims, fifth in finals – 8:56.03

First Team All-American

400-Meter Dash

Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 12th in prelims – :48.37

Second Team All-American

800-Meter Run

Matthew Sheehan, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 11th in prelims – 1:52.38

Second Team All-American

UPCOMING WOMEN’S EVENTS

Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.)

21. Zoe Connor, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 52.51 meters

5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:25 p.m.)

1. Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 16:12.88 !

UPCOMING MEN’S EVENTS

1,500-Meter Run Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:25 p.m.)

Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – seventh in prelims – 3:52.68

Jonathan Zavala, Sr., SUNY Brockport – 10h in prelims – 3:53.38

Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:45 p.m.)

9. Brandon Kaplan, Jr., St. John Fisher – 60.87 meters

5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4 p.m.)

6. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 14:04.11

12. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 14:08.50

4 x 400-Meter Relay Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:50 p.m.)

Arjun Ohja, Fr, Sam Belmont, So., Giancarlo Di Fava, So., Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – third in prelims – 3:11.45

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE

The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.

EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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Sports

Sage Hill, Huntington Beach to play for boys’ volleyball regional titles

The Sage Hill boys’ volleyball team swept visiting Woodland Hills Taft 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 on Thursday to advance to the CIF State Southern California Division III regional final. Top-seeded Sage Hill (21-11) will play host to No. 3 seed San Diego Clairemont (28-10) in the regional championship game on Saturday at 6 p.m. Long Beach […]

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32 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Sage Hill boys’ volleyball team swept visiting Woodland Hills Taft 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 on Thursday to advance to the CIF State Southern California Division III regional final.

Top-seeded Sage Hill (21-11) will play host to No. 3 seed San Diego Clairemont (28-10) in the regional championship game on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Long Beach State-bound outside hitter Jackson Cryst had 23 kills, six digs, five blocks and two service aces to lead the Lightning, currently riding a season-best 11-game winning streak that has already seen Sage Hill earn the Southern Section Division 4 title with a five-set victory at Santa Barbara on Saturday, May 17.

It marked back-to-back CIF championships for the program, which also won the Division 5 title last season.

Junior outside hitter Ryan Manesh contributed 12 kills for Sage Hill, and junior opposite Dylan Han provided six kills. Junior setter Connor Gapp added nine digs on defense, and freshman libero Ethan McNutt also had eight digs.

Huntington Beach 3, Corona del Mar 1: Junior opposite Ben Arguello had 18 kills to pace the host Oilers in a 23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 win on Thursday in a Division I regional semifinal.

Sophomore outside hitter Logan Hutnick had 15 kills, 13 digs and three block assists for Huntington Beach (36-4), which advances to a CIF finals rematch at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (35-2) on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The top-seeded Mustangs, ranked No. 1 in the nation, edged the second-ranked Oilers in five sets in the CIF Division 1 title game at Cerritos College on Friday, May 16.

Harvard-bound setter Kai Gan dished out 53 assists for Huntington Beach against CdM (25-7), which placed second in the Sunset League. Junior outside hitter Colin Choi contributed 15 kills and eight digs, and senior libero Aiden Atencio provided 13 digs.

Senior middle blocker Nick Ganier Jr. had seven kills and 2½ blocks. Senior middle blocker Justin Bulsombut chipped in with four kills and four block assists.

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Longosiwa To Compete At NCAA Track & Field East First Round

Story Links Hempstead, NY – Abraham Longosiwa will represent the Hofstra men’s outdoor track & field team at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East First Round this week in Jacksonville, Florida. Longosiwa will be competing in the men’s 10,000m race on the Visit Jax Track at Hodges […]

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50 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Hempstead, NY – Abraham Longosiwa will represent the Hofstra men’s outdoor track & field team at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East First Round this week in Jacksonville, Florida. Longosiwa will be competing in the men’s 10,000m race on the Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. The men’s 10,000m semifinal race will get underway at 9:10 p.m. on May 28.

The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East First Round runs May 28-31 at the University of North Florida. All events will be available to stream live on ESPN+ and live results will also be available. Links to watch on ESPN+ and follow the live results can be found on this page and on the men’s cross country/track schedule page on GoHofstra.com.

Longosiwa punched his ticket to the national championship event with his personal best time of 28:44.13 at the 2025 Raleigh Relays. It will be his third year competing in the men’s 10,000m race at the NCAA East First Round and the program’s 11th NCAA qualification since 2019.

The qualifiers from the East and West First Rounds will compete at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, for the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships on June 11-14.

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Third annual ‘Battle in the Bay’ moves Back Bay water polo rivals from pool to ocean

It’s been a big week for Newport Harbor High junior Connor Ohl. The sharp-shooting boys’ water polo player committed to Stanford earlier this week. He then turned 18 on Thursday, the same day the Sailors hosted the third annual “Battle in the Bay” showcase against rival Corona del Mar in the water next to Marina […]

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1 hour ago

May 24, 2025

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It’s been a big week for Newport Harbor High junior Connor Ohl.

The sharp-shooting boys’ water polo player committed to Stanford earlier this week. He then turned 18 on Thursday, the same day the Sailors hosted the third annual “Battle in the Bay” showcase against rival Corona del Mar in the water next to Marina Park on the Balboa Peninsula.

Ohl gave himself a birthday gift.

Corona del Mar's Cooper Kelly (3) finds a gap in the defense as he scores a goal on Thursday.

He was named the KAP7 Player of the Game for the boys’ match, earning a stand-up paddleboard for his efforts.

Newport Harbor swept the two games, winning the girls’ game 17-5 before earning a 15-8 win in the boys’ game.

“We really came together and our crash defense was just amazing,” said Ohl, who led the Sailors with four goals in the boys’ game. “When you play good defense, the offense will come, and that’s what happened today. Our defense complemented our offense.”

Newport Harbor's Kai Kaneko (8) fires in a penalty shot against CdM on Thursday.

The Battle in the Bay has become an annual event that the Newport Beach water polo community circles on its calendar. Newport Harbor looked the part of a team that was a CIF Southern Section Open Division champion in the boys’ season last fall, and an Open Division finalist in the girls’ season in the winter.

“It’s such a unique spot,” Sailors coach Ross Sinclair said. “It’s unique to play in the Battle of the Bay, and I think this is another added element of celebrating the community and being able to play in the bay. It’s a novelty.”

Members of the Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar girls water polo teams shake hands after the game on Thursday.

Kai Kaneko added three goals for the Sailors boys, while Dash D’Ambrosia, Hudson Parks and Mason Netzer scored twice each. Koosha Mirrafati led CdM with three goals.

“It’s a cool thing for our community to come together and do something that no other programs in the country get to do,” CdM coach Lucas Reynolds said, adding that he was a bit jealous the event wasn’t around when he was a CdM student. “Being able to play in the bay, play so close to home in a really cool environment, I think it’s an awesome opportunity for our kids.”

Newport Harbor senior goalkeeper Lydia Soderberg was the Player of the Game for the girls’ match. Some of her Sailors teammates blew up her inflatable paddleboard and watched the boys’ game while perched on it.

Newport Harbor's Audrey Metcalf (5) fires a shot to the goal against Corona del Mar on Thursday.

Caitlin Stayt and Gabby Alexson led the Sailors with three goals each, while Josie Alaluf had two goals for CdM.

Newport Harbor also benefited from strong play from freshmen, including Lily Tomalas, Vivian Muir, Olivia Bryant and goalkeeper Sutton Lohman. They stepped up, as four Sailors — Madison Mack, Kennedy Fahey, Addison Ting and Caroline Daniels — are currently playing for the U.S. Cadet National Team at the PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships in Colombia.

“This is just a really unique experience,” Stayt said. “We love coming out here and being with the community, being with each other.”

CdM's Camyrn Spruill (12) shoots in a goal against Newport Harbor between the boat docks in Marina Park on Thursday.

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15 Mules Earn Outdoor Track All-Region Honors

Story Links New Orleans, La. – All Region honors for the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season and 15 Mules made the cut. Top-5 […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

New Orleans, La. – All Region honors for the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season and 15 Mules made the cut.

Top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region honors, in addition to each of the members of a top-3 ranked relay team. Data is compiled based on Regional TFRI. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.

Colby Men:

Levi Biery – 400m Hurdles, 4×400 relay

Brady Clegg – Steeplechase

Jackson Coelho – 4×400 Relay

Ian Irwin – 100m, 200m

Lexington Lehnert – Pole Vault

Peter Martel – Pole Vault, 4×400 Relay

Ernest Obiorah – Discus

Myles Thornton-Sherman – Decathlon

Ren Zanze – 400m, 4×400 Relay

Colby Women:

Charlotte Brake-Hoffman – 4×100 Relay

Olivia Doherty – 4×400 Relay

Kaitlyn Ewald – 4×400 Relay

Fiona Mejico – 200m, 400m, 400m Hurdles, 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay

Simone Waheed – 100m, 200m, 4×100 Relay

Tally Zeller – 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay