It’s a historic step forward: Afghan women are working up a sweat at the country’s first female-only gym.

The health club, which sees about 50 women a day, is located in the southern province of Kandahar, a city where the ultra-conservative Taliban still has major sway over how women are treated, Reuters reports. Under the Taliban’s previous time in power, women and girls were forbidden from receiving an education and could not leave their homes without a male relative accompanying them.

The gym was started by women’s rights activist Maryam Durani, who was honored in 2012 with the International Women of Courage Award by then First Lady Michelle Obama and then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“The reaction of the ladies was very positive, because they needed it, but unfortunately, what bothered me was the reaction of the men, especially the men who were educated and thought they were intellectuals,” said Durani. “These men were the ones who reacted negatively to our club and even insulted me, because they thought our club was in opposition to the Sharia.”

The Sharia is Islamic law, derived from religious texts such as the Quran, according to the BBC.

Unlike in America, these fit feminists don’t wear leggings and sports bras: They still don traditional clothing and headscarves, even on the treadmill.

“Undoubtedly, [going to the gym] is not without fear and everyone knows that in such a situation, women are more afraid,” said gym customer Fatima Hashimi. “But if we look at it from another angle, exercise is beneficial to our health and thus brings happiness.”

In addition to opening the gym, Durani works to get women employment outside of their homes, and runs a radio station for women.

Durani is fearful that the Taliban could take power again, erasing the progress her gender has made.

“Our concern is that if the Taliban return and reunite with the government, what will be the restrictions they will impose?” she said.