The Ladies of Sthenos Take on Desert Battles Street Workout Competition

Calisthenics, which is a form of strength training that utilizes body weight as resistance to perform movements with little or no equipment, was made by joining the Greek kalos, meaning “beautiful,” and sthenos, meaning “strength.” It’s said that the word was originally used to refer to exercises done by young women, but later gained the more general meaning that exists today.

Katherine Mena, brand manager of Sthenos calisthenics gym in Mérida, has poured her heart and soul into the gym’s identity and culture. Alongside her partner Santiago, she has crafted a brand that lives up to its name, building calisthenics champions.

While she’s not a certified coach, Katherine makes it a priority to encourage gym patrons, women especially, to participate in athletic challenges and take the chance to compete professionally.

Katherine and teammate Abril Espana traveled to Hermosillo to compete in the Desert Battles street workout competition, representing for the ladies. For both women, this was their first time competing in a national competition. In anticipation for the event, we joined them at Sthenos for training.

As Desert Battles approached, Katherine found herself battling a number of personal hardships that impacted her performance, including the loss of her beloved grandmother.

Despite these trials, her dedication to her training and her team never wavered.

Before getting into the results of the competition, it’s worth noting that men and women are rewarded differently for wins. Katherine and Abril shared that while both men and women are responsible for the same entrance fees, the prize pool for women is less than for men.

The women explained that they were shocked to learn this and feel like it could be a factor in deterring more women from competing professionally. In this particular competition, there was ~75% less participation from women as compared to men.

The women explained that they were shocked to learn this and feel like it could be a factor in deterring more women from competing professionally. In this particular competition, there was ~75% less participation from women as compared to men.

Katherine competed in the pro category, and though victory eluded her grasp, her performance spoke volumes of her resilience.

Meanwhile, teammate Abril emerged triumphant for the Sthenos team, taking home first place in the semi pro category.

With grace and skill, Abril claimed victory, showcasing the culmination of her training.

Her success was a proud moment for the entire Sthenos team, a reflection of the spirit of camaraderie and support that defines their community.