Whether you’re a regular gym rat or you’ve mustered up new motivation to hit the gym, kudos to you! Regular exercise is critical for physical health, mental well-being, and a better quality of life overall. It even makes us feel a little less guilty about that second slice of pizza.
For those who carry a firearm for personal protection, an added layer of complexity enters the equation at the gym. Gym clothes are tight, minimal, and often without useful pockets. This is a concealed carry nightmare.
So how do you stay prepared without looking like you’re smuggling a cinderblock under your compression shirt? Today, we are going to look at a few practical options for those wanting to carry a firearm to the gym.
Why carry a firearm to the gym?
Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Is it that important to carry a firearm for protection when visiting your local gym?
The answer to that question will be a little different for everyone. But it’s important to remember that crime can happen anywhere, any time. Sure, some places have a much higher crime rate than others, and this may influence your decision to carry.
A quick review of history, however, will show us that some of the most horrific acts of violence took place where it was least expected. In fact, most people are not expecting anything to happen when an incident occurs. It’s one of those things you see on the news but assume it will never happen to you.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Being proactive about self-defense is something everyone should practice (in my opinion).
Those quick errands to the store, picking up dinner after work, and yes, going to the gym, are relatively safe tasks. However, criminals do not announce their planned act of violence before it happens (most of the time).
Concealed Carry At the Gym
It’s better to hope for the best while preparing for the worst. So, if you are thinking about taking your firearm to the gym, here are a few methods to consider.
Carrying a Firearm in Your Gym Bag
A lot of people use gym bags because it’s easy to carry everything you need to get ready for work when you’re done working out. You may want to carry a towel, water bottle, headphones, or other gear with you. A gym bag is a good option for that type of gear.
When it comes to carrying a gun in your gym bag, however, there are a few things to think about.
Can you carry a gun in a duffle bag/Backpack?
First, where in the bag will you keep your gun? Tossing a loaded gun into a bag full of gym gear is not safe or ideal. You will want something that has a pocket or compartment that will keep the gun from sliding around with everything else in the bag.
There are a few companies that make duffle bags with compartments that work for carrying a handgun. Vertx makes a lot of great bags with Velcro interiors which makes it easy to attach a compatible holster on the inside of the bag.
One example is the Vertx Contingency Duffle 45L. This bag has enough room to carry your gym gear, but you can also attach a Tactigami holster in an end pocket made for quick access.
I like to use a Viktos Slingbag that is extremely small and has a holster for my handgun. I set the bag down by my feet when working out so I can access it if needed.
Keep the bag with you at all times
The second thing to consider when using a gym bag for your handgun is reaction time. A gym bag isn’t something you always have on you when working out. You wouldn’t want to leave your gym bag in a locker as that would defeat the purpose.
If you plan to carry your handgun in your gym bag, you will want to keep it with you during your workout.
Normally I would use a good IWB holster or OWB concealment holster. This keeps the gun on me and within easy reach. If your gun is going to be in a duffle bag, consider where you set the bag down during your workouts.
Keep the access area close to you and be aware of where the gun’s access compartment is. This way if something does happen, it minimizes the time it will take for you to grab your handgun.
What About a belly band holster?
Over the past few years, the belly band holster has become more popular than it used to be. If you haven’t heard of this type of holster, it’s basically an elastic band that goes around your waist and has a built-in holster. A belly band holster doesn’t rely on a belt to hold it up so it’s a great option for when you are not wearing a belt.
One drawback to this type of holster is your gym shirt, which still needs to be loose enough to cover up a gun. The smaller the gun the easier it is to conceal, but gym clothes are not really made for concealing guns.
The second drawback is even a low-profile design like a belly band holster can get in the way of some workouts. If you plan to use this type of holster, pay attention to what type of equipment and workouts you plan to do.
When it comes to a quick response, this type of holster is excellent. You can move the belt around to position the gun wherever you want, but it works great for appendix carry.
I use the BravoBelt which has room for a small handgun, extra mag, and even a knife or cell phone. The small elastic pockets are good at keeping things in place, but they are not a replacement for a good holster with some type of retention. For me, this is a belt to use only when I cannot carry my standard holster.
The Fanny Pack is back
Ah, the fanny pack. To me, it will always be a symbol of the 80s and 90s — a has-been dad fashion that I never understood. Fanny packs are just about as bad as mullets and Twisted Sister, but of course, this is just my opinion.
But I will admit, in some cases, they make sense for carrying a small firearm. Regardless of how I think they look, a good fanny pack with a built-in holster is perfect for jogging and working out.
With this type of holster, you eliminate the need to cover up a gun like you do with the belly band. But you also have the gun on you, which provides faster access than a bag.
Regardless of my opinion, Fanny Packs are becoming popular again. Dads can now carry their keys, ChapStick, change, and other stuff while being cool once again.
When it comes to carrying a concealed handgun, they have their place in our modern world of concealed carry. So, check them out and see if this could be an option for you at the gym.
There are a lot of companies making fanny packs with holsters including Vertx, Blackhawk, Elite Survival Systems, and more.
Other Considerations for Concealed Carry at the Gym
Beyond choosing a carry method, there are additional factors to keep in mind. One thing is the maintenance of your handgun. If you carry your handgun on a belly band holster, it’s more than likely going to get sweaty. Keep your gun cleaned and oiled to make sure it will function when you need it.
If you do not have a compact handgun, you may want to consider one. I am a fan of carrying the largest size gun you can while concealing it, but in the gym a larger size gun is just hard to do. Not impossible, but hard. I like to carry my Ruger LCP, FN Reflex, or IWI Massada M because of their small weight and size.
You also want to consider your firearms training when carrying a gun to the gym. It’s easy to forget to take your belly band holster, bag, or fanny pack to the range. But if you plan to carry a gun with any of these, you should incorporate this into your range training.
Final Thoughts
Concealed carry at the gym requires balancing preparation and practicality. Whether you choose to carry in a gym bag, belly band, backpack, or fanny pack, the key is finding what works best for you.
Going to the gym every day takes dedication, and so does carrying a concealed handgun. But we do it because we want to be healthy, and safe while we go about our day.
Try out a few methods to see what you like best. Just remember to keep an eye on that bag should you choose to keep your handgun somewhere other than on your person.
