what we do
Raise the Bar Initiative promotes strength training for women in a place where strength is supported and applauded. It’s simple, really. We can’t become strong women without a platform of strength to build on. For us, and maybe for you, weight training can become that platform.
women’s barbell classic
Raising the Bar on Powerlifting
The Women’s Barbell Classic is a women’s only push/pull powerlifting meet hosted by Raise the Bar Initiative. Women from ages 8 to 60+ share the platform, showcasing their hard work, dedication and strength, all while making new friends.
Beyond building community and friendly competition, this is also Raise the Bar Initiative’s largest fundraiser of the year — our version of gala in the nonprofit world. Raise the Bar Initiative is primarily volunteer based, which means everything raised from this event including registration fees, sponsorships, apparel sales, admissions and individual fundraising directly support initiatives like the Barbell Club.
Our primary mission is to create an environment of inclusivity where women are supporting each other to set and achieve goals.
“I wanted to surround myself with inspired and strong women as it truly fuels my fire to see other women shine and dominate their goals!”
“I wanted to be involved in an event where women lifted women up! It is such an empowering feeling.”
The Barbell Club is one of our most impactful programs, serving high school girls in our community.
The Barbell Club is a 6-week strength training program for high school girls that educates on barbell movements as well as accessory work while also incorporating discussions on goal setting, self-esteem, body issues, and the importance of a positive community friendships. We create a safe space for girls to be vulnerable to come into a gym environment for the first time, meet new people, and also have open, honest conversations.
Teen girls need this.
The adolescent years are meant to be an exciting time where students find who they are, but research shows that this population is showing a serious increase in poor mental health. 7 out of 10 teenage girls report feeling “not good enough” in terms of their looks, school performance, and relationships.
75% of girls struggling with low self-esteem said they engage in activities like smoking, drinking, early sexual activity, bullying, self-harm, and disordered eating. We want to be part of the solution.
How Your donation makes an impact
Student Lifting Apparel and Water Bottles
Nutritional Snacks and Water
Strength Training Journals
Strength Training Equipment — We don’t have always have access to the school gym for the Barbell Club so in those instances, we are given access unused space in the school to build out our own gym. The cost to set up a gym can start at $5,000
Coaching Certification Instruction
Transport Van — This is one of our newer goals to purchase a transport van to provide transportation home for some of the girls after class as they live far from the school and do not have a way to get home. In the winter months especially, we want to ensure all of the girls get home safely.
6-week Program Results
74% increase in strength
14% improvement in self esteem
65% increase strength training knowledge
65% increase confidence in weight room
100% would recommend to classmates
participants gained
Improved confidence
Improved self body image
Improved self-esteem
New friendships
“Barbell club has helped me become comfortable in the weight room and more comfortable in my body.”
In addition, to reduce the effect of economic barriers for young women seeking higher education, we also offer the Ema Cardenas Scholarship. Commemorating the life of one of our most inspiring young participants, the $1000 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior successfully completing at least one six-week Barbell Club session and plan to attend college or trade school immediately following graduation.
coaching certification
The Raise the Bar Initiative Coaching Certification is a standard we created that allows us to expand the Barbell Club program in more schools.
We know we cannot do this alone! By taking this course a person deepens their own knowledge in strength training and has a better understanding of the organization's philosophy to be an extension and representative of Raise the Bar Initiative.
The Certification Course is dedicated to developing coaches using the curriculum developed completely by Raise the Bar Initiative. Coaches are mentors and leaders inside and out of the weightroom, and are responsible for coaching to proper form/technique, engaging with athletes, and creating a safe space for young girls to share vulnerabilities.
Our next Coaching Certification session is scheduled for
january 2025
stay tuned for more details!@ 22nd Street Barbellcommunity events & seminars
the squat, bench press & deadlift seminar
This four-hour seminar for beginners provides training in squat, bench press, and deadlift. Many lifters sign up for the Women’s Barbell Classic but have never competed before, and that’s okay. We want them to do that. These seminars are where they learn the foundational skills to get them where they need to be.
You Can Lift With Us
Held before the Women’s Barbell Classic as preparation for the competition, this seminar helps participants can familiarize themselves with lifting protocols. This event gives women the opportunity to be introduced to weight training basics or for seasoned lifters, an opportunity to get tips from a variety of coaches in our community.
Raise the Bar Initiative brings in trusted coaches from area gyms to act as instructors and women participants are not expected to have any prior knowledge. In fact, it’s more like a party than a training session! You’ll not only get the tips you need, you’ll get the practice and practical information regarding competition commands.
Year-Round Events
We also offer community events that compliment weight training, and support women’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing such as yoga or meditation sessions for restorative health, nutritional seminars, health and wellness speakers, and more. These events usually involve partnerships with other fitness experts or community leaders furthering the reach of our mission.
Corporate Programs
Regular strength training benefits women of any age, and can yield enormous improvements in women’s health both physically and mentally. Strength training helps manage stress, reduce the risk of injury, help build and strengthen emotional wellness, and counteract many of the health challenges that can come from our modern economy.
Raise the Bar initiative (RBI) is looking for corporate partners in the Des Moines metro who are interested in helping pilot a strength training program for women on-site at their corporate wellness centers. These sessions could be held before or after traditional working hours or over a lunch break.
If you’re interested in learning more about this program, just drop your information below!
Community Gym Tours
Everyone at Raise the Bar Initiative (RBI) believes that building strong women leads to building strong communities. But we know that for many women, entering the weight room for the first time can be intimidating. That’s why we offer our Community Gym Tours, designed to get women who already belong to community gyms and fitness centers a chance to try out the available strength training equipment at their facility alongside our RBI volunteers - trained fitness professionals who are there to answer your strength training questions in a fun, friendly, supportive environment.
If you’re a gym or fitness center owner or member, and you’d like to bring an RBI Community Gym Tour to your location, just leave your information below. We offer gym tours throughout the year in communities generally within 60 miles of the Des Moines metro, but would consider locations beyond that distance on a case-by-case basis. We do require a refundable deposit of $250 from organizers, which will be returned at the conclusion of the tour.
We can’t wait to see you in your community!
Non-profit Partnerships
Raise the Bar Initiative (RBI) is partnering with The Beacon, Dorothy’s House and the Young Women's Resource Center in the hopes of bringing our mission to those who participate in their programs. What is unique is that all of these non-profits are focused on lifting up girls and/or women right here in our Des Moines community. We all agree that by working together we can make a bigger impact.
To do this we are looking to take our model for the Barbell Club and adapt it to fit the needs of each program, but keeping the core pieces intact. We will teach girls/women how to move, use strength training equipment, how to feel confident in a gym and have open conversations about important topics.
We were fortunate to start out first collaboration with the YWRC during Spring Break of 2023 and will be launching programs in the summer of 2023 for both The Beacon and Dorothy's House.
#RBI202510,000 by 2025
We want to impact 10,000 women by 2025 which will only be possible through the generous support of our communities.
