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For the third consecutive year, during the month of February, the WSU University Recreation Center (UREC) celebrates, encourages and empowers women to branch out from their day-to-day exercise routines by offering daily activities and new themes each week.

The themes focus on different aspects of fitness. This week’s theme, titled SheRocks, focuses on women in the outdoors. Past themes included SheLifts, SheMoves and ShePlays. The full schedule and activity times are posted on the UREC website.

Mandy Schenkemeyer, climbing wall and challenge program coordinator, oversees the organization of the events and collaborates with the marketing team and her fellow department members.

“[Women’s only hour] provides a closed environment for women to work out,” Schenkemeyer said. “It also creates a more comfortable and supportive space for all women, especially those new to lifting that may be intimidated by the weight room.”

This month’s focus on women has received positive feedback from committed participants who welcome the diverse and supportive environment, Schenkemeyer said.

This chain of events is not only for those who are less experienced in areas of male-dominant physical activities, such as weight-lifting, but also benefits women who are already confident in those types of recreation.

“This helps create a welcoming community and can spark new and lasting relationships,” Schenkemeyer said. “Empowered women empower women.”

Jessica Whitt, assistant director of fitness services and education, helped organize the Zumba party held on Valentine’s Day in celebration of the global movement One Billion Rising.

This is a day dedicated to promoting awareness on the need to end violence and sexual assault against women around the world. The annual movement is celebrated through dance and in many other ways around the world every year.

“Tucked in the hills of the Palouse, we know violence against women exists,” Whitt said. “What many don’t realize is the astonishing statistic that helped create the One Billion Rising movement: one out of three women on the planet will be beaten or raped in their lifetime. That is a statistic that encapsulates women worldwide.”

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in requests and interest for programming typically dominated by males, such as Olympic lifting, climbing and various intramural sports, Whitt said.

The UREC’s schedule for today includes a women’s triathlon and a water training swim clinic beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the UREC pool. Open water techniques taught at the clinic will include turning, breathing both ways, group swimming and more.