PDA

View Full Version : Gym carry



YVK
03-19-2011, 07:34 AM
Trying to fulfill my New Year's resolutions, I find myself in gym about 4 times a week. This is a new situation for me; when I went to gym with such frequency last time, I was in a no-carry place.
I can't figure out what to do with my ccw, and at this point have found the best solution to leave it at home. Any on-body carry solution - belly-band, ankle, fanny pack - will only solve it partially, as 2 out of 4 weekly gym visits are spent swimming.
Just wondering what you guys do. Use pm if you find this info sensitive.

tmoore912
03-19-2011, 10:32 AM
I use one of these while running and working out at the gym. I sweat a lot, and needed something to keep the gun dry. I'm in decent shape 5'10" 195lbs. muscular build. I dont wear really loose gym clothes, but I don't wear tight stuff either. Ignore the cheesy website, it conceals well for me. Good luck.

http://www.pistolwear.com/holsters.htm

jetfire
03-19-2011, 10:35 AM
Honestly, gyms are the worst place for guns in terms of security. I wouldn't leave a handgun in one of the provided lockers, even if I had a lock made of adamantium; on body carry is difficult, I don't want to tote my gym bag around with a handgun in it while I"m moving from station to station, either.

What I used to do is secure it in my car, since I moved though my condo has a decent gym and I usually just leave it at home.

Edit: Tmoore, does that right work while running? That's been my biggest issue is finding a pistol rig that won't bounce around when I'm hauling ass.

tmoore912
03-19-2011, 10:48 AM
It doesn't bounce around when I wear mine. I wear it fairly snug, and I don't use a big gun. I use a Kahr P9 with extra mag, so it is pretty light and thin to begin with.

I agree with you about carrying the gun around. The gun is either on my person or its secure in a locked safety box bolted in my truck. I never leave it at home.

SLG
03-19-2011, 02:34 PM
Two options I've found to work are to either carry the gun in a fanny pack, and just carry it from station to station at the gym. Not ideal, but it works most of the time. You just have to be hyper-vigilante about it when it's not in your hand. This option does not work for me anymore, since I'm a cool-aid drinking crossfitter. Crossfit gyms also don't really need this option, since the environment tends to be much more secure, and the people are more of a known factor.

The other option is to just wear it as usual. I often run in BDU shorts, and then just strap my normal IWB holster on.

part-time shooter
03-20-2011, 12:05 PM
I don't carry at the gym, it's just impossible with what I want to wear to work out and I'm not going to dress around my gun at the gym. BUT, the throught has crossed my mind and I have found a deep cover t-shirt, it's about $60/shirt, with built in "pockets" under the sleeves that would allow you to carry a very small auto/revolver and extra magazine/ipod under another larger t-shirt or sweatshirt, warmup jacket etc.

The shirts are the same as worn under ballistic armor to help keep it in place and are ->TIGHT<- if you get the right size, this one just has deep cover pockets in it. They are great for broken ribs too, if you can get it on with broken ribs. They will not allow a full sized duty, defense gun to be carried but would probably be great for a light weight BuG. Don't expect lightning fast access to the weapon but it's a lot faster than running to the truck in the parking lot.

It's certainly not a perfect solution but it's something to consider if you want to remain armed while at the gym. There are some knock off versions of the shirt I'm speaking of that will not work, as they are really just tight t-shirts or mesh shirts with crappy holsters velcro'd to them, the real one is like spandex meets under armor, so it's wicking to keep you cooler and very very tight, so much so that you don't have to "suck it in" it'll do it for you. I was going to post a link to it but I can't find the site just yet. In any event it's something to consider.

Here it is, it's a 5.11 shirt.


http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Shirts/Undergear-Shirts/Holster-Shirt.html


It might suck but it's an option other than the fanny packs and ol' gym bag approach.

Chipster
03-20-2011, 10:48 PM
Order a size bigger than you normally wear because those 5.11 shirts are TIGHT! Like anaconda thinking about eating you for lunch tight.

irishshooter
03-21-2011, 09:01 AM
take a look at this. http://www.specgear.com/Truss.html saw this on a FAM in my last course. he said he can wear this in a dress shirt on long flights comfortably. he also said he does wear it running as well. obviously would need a shirt underneath for sweat, like a tank top or underarmour, and a shirt to go over it. another option though.

Chuck Haggard
03-21-2011, 02:10 PM
I've always just used a Galco fanny pack myself, both at the gym and while running.

Since we have so many car break-ins here I did install a small pistol safe in the cars my wife and I drive, they are cabled to the rear seat supports in the trunk.

I wouldn't leave an unsecured handgun in my car.

YVK
03-21-2011, 02:23 PM
Since we have so many car break-ins here I did install a small pistol safe in the cars my wife and I drive, they are cabled to the rear seat supports in the trunk.

I wouldn't leave an unsecured handgun in my car.

I don't think I'd leave my gun without installing a bona fide gun safe inside the car.

Thanks all for advice. I think I'll use a fanny pack or gym bag, and leave it at home on my swim days.

dookie1481
03-21-2011, 09:44 PM
I just put it in a side pocket of my gym bag. The gym bag is always within arm's reach of either me or my girlfriend.

YVK
03-21-2011, 09:54 PM
I was hoping Lil'Lebowski will see this thread. Given that he commutes to gym on a bicycle and then goes swimming, it might be interesting how he's got that covered.
Then again, this could a classified info...

Seriously though, swimming does complicate things.

MTechnik
03-21-2011, 10:38 PM
I was hoping Lil'Lebowski will see this thread. Given that he commutes to gym on a bicycle and then goes swimming, it might be interesting how he's got that covered.
Then again, this could a classified info...

Seriously though, swimming does complicate things.

Well, a glock can get wet. Maybe he just wears LONG board shorts pulled up.

Kyle Reese
03-22-2011, 03:18 AM
Maritime spring cups? :o j/k


Well, a glock can get wet. Maybe he just wears LONG board shorts pulled up.

DrDave
03-22-2011, 08:05 AM
You guys are slowly chipping away at my reasons not to go to gym...

Jason
03-22-2011, 09:18 AM
This may sound incredibly nieve, but if you need to carry IN the gym you may need to find a gym in a safer location. I know anything can happen anywhere, but reducing your risk in an area where it is nearly to carry on body and still get a solid work out is probably sensible. If you are worried, put some OC spray in your gym bag and a delica in your gym shorts and call it good. I carry my small bag from station to station because it has my chalk, towel, and fractional plates inside it, but I woudnt put a gun in there. Just too likely somebody could grab it. Besides, if you work out hard, you are probably not in a state of mind where making a clear judgement and taking a good shot is extremely viable. You are better off knowing where the exits are, choosing a gym in a safe area, and not gettting into any arguments over equipment or training philosophy with juice-heads.

YVK
03-22-2011, 09:27 AM
This may sound incredibly nieve, but if you need to carry IN the gym you may need to find a gym in a safer location.

Yes, it is in a safe location.

So is my house.

So is my work. You got my drift...

Before this gets sidetracked: no, I don't feel a need to carry 100%, nor do I feel insecure without CCW, and if somebody reads my very first post - I state there that currently I leave my pistol at home. However, if one chooses to carry, then it makes all the sense to me to maximize the opportunity to do so, and that's what prompted the question in a first place.

Jason
03-22-2011, 09:43 AM
True, and I agree with you on all points. However, given the gym environement and your state of mind when you work out (at least the way I work out) when I am pushing super hard, and all I care about is getting the weight out of the hole, the last thing I want to worry about is a flash picture of where my off body carry is. YMMV of course, that is just my feeling on it. Others train differently and have different assesments of their vulnerability and risks.

skyugo
04-18-2011, 05:18 PM
smart carry works very well with gym shorts.
swimming i think you're SOL though.

WDW
04-20-2011, 04:25 AM
The best way I have found to carry in the gym is to take a heavy duty back brace, which acts as an improved Galco belly band, and place a heavy duty IWB holster with a spring steel clip in the desired position in the band. Under a shirt the gun disappears, it is easily accesible, and it can be rotated to fit your workout needs so the gun stays out of the way.

LittleLebowski
04-20-2011, 09:40 AM
I was hoping Lil'Lebowski will see this thread. Given that he commutes to gym on a bicycle and then goes swimming, it might be interesting how he's got that covered.
Then again, this could a classified info...

Seriously though, swimming does complicate things.

I lock mine up in a locker and in the pack, the weapon is locked up again in a metal mesh. So....double locked while in the gym and locked while I'm riding.

virginiatactical
04-20-2011, 10:07 AM
I work out at the university I attend to now. George Mason University. We are not allowed to carry firearms in the buildings at GMU. So I am pretty much just boned.

MTechnik
04-21-2011, 02:19 PM
in the pack, the weapon is locked up again in a metal mesh.

What do you use for this?

LittleLebowski
04-21-2011, 02:30 PM
What do you use for this?

Something like this (http://www.campingsurvival.com/outpacdesigns.html) that I picked up a while ago in Australia.

MTechnik
04-21-2011, 02:32 PM
Something like this (http://www.campingsurvival.com/outpacdesigns.html) that I picked up a while ago in Australia.

Oh, wow. I thought you had a small mesh back with a master lock, that can fit a G19, not that the entire bag was in a mesh. Great idea, thanks!

LittleLebowski
04-21-2011, 02:37 PM
Oh, wow. I thought you had a small mesh back with a master lock, that can fit a G19, not that the entire bag was in a mesh. Great idea, thanks!

It is a small one, I just can't find it right now. Although I like the look of the ones that cover the whole pack.

Mitchell, Esq.
04-21-2011, 03:22 PM
I throw the gun, holster and all, in a fanny pack along with my wallet and keys.

I'm not carrying the gun at the gym so I can have immediate access to it, I'm carrying it so I don't get it stolen out of my locker.

Fanny pack stays on my while lifting, or in cup holder of the treadmill/cardio torture thing I'm using if I'm "running".

It's not ideal...but I haven't had it stolen out of my locker yet, so I'm ahead of the game.

MikeO
05-05-2011, 10:54 AM
I've been carrying at the gym for years; just put it in the same bag I usually carry from station to station. You do have to be very careful.

I am always aware of where it is (I can see or feel it), and where in the bag/what the orientation of the pistol in the bag is too. Ditto my partner when I have one.

The gym has 5 locations in town and is very popular w local cops/feds, and many do the same. Owner knows and is OK w it (has a LE background). Got very popular a few yrs ago when a gang was ambushing cops off duty at the gym, soccer/ball games, ya know, places where it safe and/or inconvenient to carry...

SmokeJumper
05-05-2011, 03:33 PM
I throw the gun, holster and all, in a fanny pack along with my wallet and keys.

I'm not carrying the gun at the gym so I can have immediate access to it, I'm carrying it so I don't get it stolen out of my locker.

Fanny pack stays on my while lifting, or in cup holder of the treadmill/cardio torture thing I'm using if I'm "running".

It's not ideal...but I haven't had it stolen out of my locker yet, so I'm ahead of the game.

This has worked out for me for the last few years. I wanted to try the pistolwear holster that tmoore912 recommended in the first postings, but they seem to be out of stock every time I check the website. Just keep the pack attached to ya or on the machine you're on and be observant of who is around at all times.

tmoore912
05-20-2011, 08:45 PM
I use there PT-ONE holster for jogging, working out at the gym or any other active lifestyle activity I do. I have been using one for a while and works well for me. It is made out of neoprene and is really comfortable and keeps the gun dry when I sweat, but it doesn't have the space a fanny pack has. It only has enough room for the gun and a magazine. It is designed to be worn a little low on the hips instead of on the waist. (This helps reduce the bouncing of the gun). When going to the gym I wear my shorts over the holster so that it doesn't show if my shirt rides up while doing a weight lifting move.

I worked out this morning and ran a couple miles afterward with it on carrying my Glock 17.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/2011-05-18_11-48-25_541-1.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2767.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2768.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2769.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2758.jpg

joshs
05-20-2011, 08:50 PM
I carry a 442 in a Smart Carry. However, instead of carrying in the regular below the waistline position, I keep the grip above the waistline and the cylinder right behind the elastic waistband. This keeps the gun must more stable and prevents if from flapping and hitting me in the balls when I sprint.

Super J
05-27-2011, 08:55 AM
Thanks for the review. I'm trying to gauge the thickness of the setup. Can you post a pic from the side of you standing with your shirt covering the rig.

Thanks again



I use there PT-ONE holster for jogging, working out at the gym or any other active lifestyle activity I do. I have been using one for a while and works well for me. It is made out of neoprene and is really comfortable and keeps the gun dry when I sweat, but it doesn't have the space a fanny pack has. It only has enough room for the gun and a magazine. It is designed to be worn a little low on the hips instead of on the waist. (This helps reduce the bouncing of the gun). When going to the gym I wear my shorts over the holster so that it doesn't show if my shirt rides up while doing a weight lifting move.

I worked out this morning and ran a couple miles afterward with it on carrying my Glock 17.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/2011-05-18_11-48-25_541-1.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2767.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2768.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2769.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2758.jpg

tmoore912
05-27-2011, 11:00 AM
These two are the best I got.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2760.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/IMG_2758.jpg

tmoore912
05-27-2011, 11:48 AM
I lied. I found these two on my computer that I had not uploaded to Photobucket. Hopefully, these show you how thick the holster is with and without the gun inserted. Neoprene is thin and stretchy and conforms to the body well. It and the gun probably add another 1.70 inches to your waist area. I hope this helps.

Glock 26 and reload sitting on top of the holster.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/2011-05-27_12-13-15_38.jpg

Gun and mag inserted in the holster.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/tmoore912/Holsters/Pistol%20Wear%20PT-One/2011-05-27_12-15-25_581.jpg

Super J
05-28-2011, 03:02 AM
Thanks tmoore