News aggregator

Nadine Abdalla/ Fourth Estate

BY NADINE ABDALLA, STAFF WRITER

Despite societal advances in body image,women still face societal constraints that label weightlifting as a “male” activity. This belief is not only outdated but also detrimental to a woman’s well-being. Women should be encouraged to lift weights because it promotes physical health, boosts confidence, challenges harmful stereotypes, and leads to empowerment. By embracing strength training, we break societal norms and unlock our true potential.

Health Benefits

Weightlifting offers numerous health benefits, particularly for women. Strength training increases lean muscle mass, boosts metabolism, and supports fat loss. It also strengthens bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that disproportionately affects women. Strength training is one of the best ways to improve bone density and prevent fractures as we age. 

For women, weightlifting is a crucial step in improving long-term health and increasing longevity, leading to healthier bones, stronger muscles, and a more vibrant life.

Confidence and Empowerment

When I first started lifting, I felt intimidated by the experienced lifters around me. But over time, weightlifting transformed both my body and my mindset. With every new personal best, I grew more confident in my strength and identity as a capable woman. 

The mental benefits of strength training are significant, as it allows us to realize our inner power and carry that confidence into all areas of life. It’s not just about physical transformation, it’s about embracing the strength we have and using it to fuel our personal growth.

Breaking Stereotypes and Gender Norms

A common misconception holding women back from weightlifting is the fear of becoming “too bulky.” This fear is rooted in outdated ideas of what it takes to look feminine. In reality, women’s bodies aren’t designed to gain muscle mass in the same way men’s bodies do. Due to hormonal differences, strength training allows women to build lean muscle, leading to a toned, fit physique without excessive bulk. 

By lifting weights, we challenge societal expectations of what women’s bodies should look like. The more women lift, the more we redefine standards of strength, showing that women can be powerful without sacrificing femininity.

The Importance of Safe Weightlifting

Some may argue that weightlifting is dangerous for women. However, with proper guidance and form, it is just as safe for women as it is for men. Strength training can actually reduce the risk of injury by improving balance, coordination, and joint stability. Weightlifting isn’t about conforming to an image; it’s about being the best version of yourself. Women should be empowered to lift without fear of injury or judgment.

Research and Mental Health Benefits

Strength training increases bone density and boosts mental health. It helps reduce stress and alleviate anxiety and depression, which are critical for women managing multiple roles. These physical and mental benefits are essential for maintaining a balanced, healthy life, especially in a world where women face unique pressures.

Creating Supportive Spaces

To foster a more inclusive fitness culture, gyms should offer female-friendly spaces, provide beginner-friendly guidance, and promote realistic representations of strong women. There’s a need for more female-centric weightlifting programs that emphasize empowerment and community. With the right resources and support, women can break down barriers that have prevented them from reaching their full potential.

Encouraging women to lift weights is more than building muscle; it’s about embracing strength, confidence, and health. Weightlifting allows women to challenge societal expectations, redefine strength, and unlock their potential. The time has come for women to lift not just weights, but the limitations that have held them back.

Weightlifting offers numerous health benefits, particularly for women. Strength training increases lean muscle mass, boosts metabolism, and supports fat loss. It also strengthens bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that disproportionately affects women. Strength training is one of the best ways to improve bone density and prevent fractures as we age. 

For women, weightlifting is a crucial step in improving long-term health and increasing longevity, leading to healthier bones, stronger muscles, and a more vibrant life.

Confidence and Empowerment

When I first started lifting, I felt intimidated by the experienced lifters around me. But over time, weightlifting transformed both my body and my mindset. With every new personal best, I grew more confident in my strength and identity as a capable woman. 

The mental benefits of strength training are significant, as it allows us to realize our inner power and carry that confidence into all areas of life. It’s not just about physical transformation, it’s about embracing the strength we have and using it to fuel our personal growth.

Breaking Stereotypes and Gender Norms

A common misconception holding women back from weightlifting is the fear of becoming “too bulky.” This fear is rooted in outdated ideas of what it takes to look feminine. In reality, women’s bodies aren’t designed to gain muscle mass in the same way men’s bodies do. Due to hormonal differences, strength training allows women to build lean muscle, leading to a toned, fit physique without excessive bulk. 

By lifting weights, we challenge societal expectations of what women’s bodies should look like. The more women lift, the more we redefine standards of strength, showing that women can be powerful without sacrificing femininity.

The Importance of Safe Weightlifting

Some may argue that weightlifting is dangerous for women. However, with proper guidance and form, it is just as safe for women as it is for men. Strength training can actually reduce the risk of injury by improving balance, coordination, and joint stability. Weightlifting isn’t about conforming to an image; it’s about being the best version of yourself. Women should be empowered to lift without fear of injury or judgment.

Research and Mental Health Benefits

Strength training increases bone density and boosts mental health. It helps reduce stress and alleviate anxiety and depression, which are critical for women managing multiple roles. These physical and mental benefits are essential for maintaining a balanced, healthy life, especially in a world where women face unique pressures.

Creating Supportive Spaces

To foster a more inclusive fitness culture, gyms should offer female-friendly spaces, provide beginner-friendly guidance, and promote realistic representations of strong women. There’s a need for more female-centric weightlifting programs that emphasize empowerment and community. With the right resources and support, women can break down barriers that have prevented them from reaching their full potential.

Encouraging women to lift weights is more than building muscle; it’s about embracing strength, confidence, and health. Weightlifting allows women to challenge societal expectations, redefine strength, and unlock their potential. The time has come for women to lift not just weights, but the limitations that have held them back.

Nawaal Nackerdien/Fourth Estate

BY CHRISTIAN SEGOVIA, SPORTS EDITOR

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a two-part series on Jordan Whitaker and Esports.

“We’re competitive by nature,” Whitaker said about a player’s drive. “The longer you play the game, the more you feel like, proud of… your identity in a sense and mechanisms like reward systems, and rankings do tend to help people feel like the time that they spent on the game is rewarding.”

Most Esports games have a competitive ranking system, where players climb the ladder by competing against others at their skill level. “Everyone who’s recruiting you at these different colleges, they’ll look at your profile, they’ll look at your rankings, they’ll look at the material you’ve done,” Whitaker said, emphasizing the importance of ranking up and standing out. 

However, breaking into the Esports scene can be difficult due to its highly competitive nature. Within the scene are different tiers of competition, Tier 1 being the highest. As the tiers decrease, so does the level of competitiveness. To gain visibility, Whitaker advises  players to create highlight reels and share on their social media pages.

“If you have a highlight reel that’s really good, and you’re a teenager and you want to be considered for a scholarship at the college level, you’re going to have that highlight reel as something that shows off who you are,” Whitaker said. “You know this player is like, okay, but they’re amazing at making content. I want to recruit them for the program and get them…half their tuition every year just to make content.”

Esports is a diverse industry with multiple career paths beyond playing professionally. Aspiring players become content creators, coaches or broadcasters for Esports events. Due to how competitive the scene is and its set-up, players are forced to market themselves to get noticed.  In this way, Esports helps players expand skills such as self-marketing and creating a brand. 

“Diversifying how you showcase yourself is really important because then not only are you giving yourselves options as a player in your path, but you’re also developing a unique brand identity, and you’re showcasing a variety of skills,” Whitaker said. “Maybe I’m not destined to go professional, but I can still work in Esports for an Esports organization because I have these skills creating content. I know how to market; I know how to broadcast; I know how to manage a community on Discord.”

Success in Esports requires professionalism and accountability. Players must collaborate with others and foster a positive environment.  

“People care about your grades. People care about your accountability and how good of a person you are to be around,” Whitaker said. “People want to be alongside other players, where they know that they’re going to be supported by good positivity and somebody who listens to these ‘soft people’ skills.”

According to a study on sexism in esports, “most gamer communities remain male-dominated, which may give rise to prejudices against female players and their skill among gamers and the general public.”  Women in online spaces often face sexist comments while gaming, and even struggle to find a role model in the field.

To combat this, initiatives such asValorant Game Changers provide a space for women to compete at a professional level. Recently, Ava “Florescent” Eugene became the first Game Challengers player to compete in a Tier 1 league, joining Apeks in Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA. Meanwhile, Shopify Rebellion became the first team to qualify for Challengers league.

“I’m aware that there’s a lot of high-ranking women in the North American ladder right now who are enjoying success at the college level and getting recruited from programs,” Whitaker added. “[The coach at Northwestern] was telling me about three or four of his starting varsity players.”

As Esports continues to grow, efforts to promote inclusivity and sustainability will be crucial for the industry’s future.

Fourth Estate/Melanie Jensen

BY MELANIE JENSEN, STAFF WRITER

Fairfax City’s Eighth Winter Restaurant Week began on Monday, Feb. 24, allowing residents and visitors to try food from a variety of diverse restaurants in the area in a cost-efficient way. 

The biannual event runs from Monday to Sunday, March 2 with over 30 participating restaurants offering fixed menus. This allows customers to explore new local restaurants or revisit old favorites at a discounted price. 

“Fairfax City Restaurant Week continues to grow and expand. Diners can sample unique cuisines from around the world as well as organize a group at their favorite local restaurant,” said Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read in an emailed release. “From pizza by the slice to handmade pasta, Asian bowls, steak and lobster, there’s something for every budget and every palate in Fairfax City.”

Fairfax City Economic Development, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Fairfax Business Association sponsored and organized  Restaurant Week this year.

Participating restaurants are offering $25 brunch/lunch menus and $40 three-course dinner options. Along with the set-price menus, some restaurants will be offering new “Let’s Work Together” deals. It allows more restaurants to participate in the event that wouldn’t offer the typical pre-set menus. For example, ViVi Bubble Tea is offering a two for $10 deal, with the choice of two medium drinks or one medium drink and one popcorn chicken. 

Of the over 30 restaurants, notable mentions include Bellissimo Restaurant, Kelly’s Oyster House and Bar, and El Pollo Rico, each offering their own choices of three-course dinner specials. From Caribbean dishes to Korean barbeque to an Irish pub, the event hosts cuisine from cultures around the world. While most participating restaurants are in Old Town, some locations are scattered throughout Fairfax.

“Whether you’re a longtime resident, a student or just visiting, it’s a fantastic time to explore what Fairfax City has to offer,” said Tara Borwey, Assistant Director of Programs for Fairfax City Economic Development. “Supporting local restaurants helps strengthen the community and keeps our dining scene thriving.”

Restaurant Week is not a Fairfax City-exclusive event. Cities around the country host their own similar Restaurant Week. Most winter events take place late January to early February. Washington D.C.’s winter event took place from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, and Alexandria Restaurant Week took place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9. 

According to Borwey, Restaurant Week has been a signature program of Fairfax City Economic Development since 2018. Along with winter’s late February dates, Fairfax City also hosts a summer event, with last year’s taking place from Sept. 2 through Sept. 8. 

“With each iteration of the program, I’ve had the privilege of working with passionate restaurant owners, chefs and hospitality professionals who bring their best to the table,” said Borwey, who has been overseeing Fairfax’s Restaurant Week since its conception. “Watching the event grow, seeing the enthusiasm from the community and hearing how it helps businesses gain new customers has been incredibly fulfilling.”