Women-Only Pistols and Pilates Class Held in Illinois Suburb

A women-only fitness and firearms class took place on a Friday night in the Chicago suburb of Oak Forest, Illinois. Participants began with an hourlong mat Pilates session before moving to a two-hour gun-safety course and live-fire practice at Eagle Sports Range.

The class was created by the range manager and the owner of a local Pilates studio. Organizers said the event was intended to combine physical training with instruction on firearm handling and personal safety.

The Pilates portion required participants to perform repeated small movements under instructor direction. Attendees were then instructed to maintain breathing and posture control while transitioning to firearms training. A range instructor told the group that the objective was self-protection.

Roughly half the participants indicated they already held Illinois concealed-carry permits, while a smaller number said they owned firearms.

22-caliber pistols and practiced grip, stance, and aim before firing twenty rounds each at silhouette targets. Several women said they had never fired a gun before attending. After the session, attendees compared target results and discussed their reasons for participating.

One participant noted she had obtained a permit two years earlier and wanted to try the activity. Another said she already carries a pistol and attended to refresh her skills while also enjoying Pilates. The range manager stated that people should respect differing personal choices regarding fitness and firearms.

The reporter who attended reported completing the class with muscle soreness and improved familiarity with the pistol used.