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For many gun owners, exercising is an essential part of life. While this may not pertain to sloths like myself (oops), exercising poses a challenge for concealed carriers: how to concealed carry while exercising? As you go about your gym, jogging, biking, or walking routine, as we like to say: threats don’t stop existing. You may find yourself in unfamiliar or sketchy territory while going about your workout routine (this is especially relevant for joggers). To protect yourself and those around you in such cases, it is crucial to have a concealed carry plan of action in mind for when working or exercising.
In this article, we cover how to effectively conceal your weapon while exercising, from picking your concealed carry gear to choosing your concealed carry workout attire. There are some interesting challenges to overcome specific to concealed carrying while working out, and we hope this article helps shed some light on this topic for you. Read on!
Table of Contents
The Basics of How to Concealed Carry While Exercising: Maintaining Comfort
Concealed Carry Workout Clothes
Suggested Concealed Carry Workout Gear
Keeping Your Firearms Clean After Exercising
Other Precautions to Take While Concealed Carrying During a Workout
The Basics of How to Concealed Carry While Exercising
On a regular non-workout day, concealed carrying is easy – throw on your concealed carry holster of choice, and go about your day. However, with concealed carrying during a workout, you throw in variables like shifting holsters from movement, increased sweat output that may damage your holster/firearm, etc. – factor that greatly impact the effectiveness of your concealed carrying. However, while these issues that crop up while concealed carrying during a workout are matters of concern, but all have solutions to ensure your safety, and the safety of those around you.
Issue #1: Chafing
You may IWB or appendix carry on a regular basis. However, exercising with such carrying methods is very difficult – the chafing that occurs from your IWB/appendix holster rubbing against your skin from movement quickly becomes unbearable. To avoid this, consider wearing compression shorts underneath your holster to reduce friction and prevent the holster from rubbing directly against your skin, or using shoulder holster carrying.
Issue #2: Weight
Another concern to consider while concealed carrying during a workout is the weight of your firearm. While carrying a few extra ounces or pounds may not be much of an issue during normal activity, a sidearm weighing down on one side of your body during a workout can affect your sense of balance/athletic performance. To alleviate this, try switching to a smaller firearm, or carry fewer rounds to lighten the load. After all, the point of concealed carry during workout is to keep your firearm concealed.
You may also consider using a back holster, which will be positioned on the flat of your back, helping maintain your equilibrium.
Issue #3: Falling Pants
This issue is linked to the weight of your CCW. Let’s say you’re doing burpees while concealed carrying with an OWB holster – with every explosive jump upwards, your pants get pulled down a bit down by gravity and the weight of your firearm. To combat this issue, clip your holster to the waistband of compression pants worn below your normal workout pants. Since your compression pants will not move as much as your workout pants, your CCW will be more well positioned.
Issue #4: Spotting/Printing
If you’ve read our article on printing while concealed carrying, you’d know that spotting your firearm is quite easy. While exercising and concealed carrying, accidentally spotting your gun is even easier. While fully avoiding spotting/printing your concealed carry while exercising is close to impossible, try wearing a looser, more baggy workout shirt to drape over your CCW while working out.
Issue #5: Draw Speed
Let’s be realistic. It’s unlikely that you will have the same draw speed at practice or at home after a hard workout or a long day on the trail. While you exercise, your focus is drawn to your body’s movements. On top of that, you are using energy to exercise, which results in being more tired and distracted from potential threats around you (example: focusing on not dropping the barbell on your back while squatting instead of people around you).
For this reason, you may lose some tactical advantage while exercising. Thus, since your draw speed may be seriously hindered while working out, it pays to keep in mind the following tips to keep you more prepared:
Don’t wear headphones while working out. Listening to music can make exercising more fun – especially while lifting weights. But if you are running in an urban area, you need to be hear your surroundings so you can have those few extra seconds to avert or prepare for an attack.
Logic: running outdoors offers you the opportunity to get a breath of fresh air. However, using headphones while running in remote areas can make you vulnerable to being caught off guard if attacked. As much as possible, try exercising without loud music and be aware of what is going on in your surroundings. Additionally, stick to well-known trails and neighborhoods to avoid being caught off guard.
Workout with a friend or a dog. There’s always strength in numbers. Having an extra set of eyes can be helpful in spotting potential danger – also, nothing helps to get your attention better than your barking dog.
Exercise in well-populated and well–lit areas. Due to hectic schedules, some people prefer working out in the early morning or late in the evening. Exercise during the day in well populated areas, so you don’t just zone out while working out and lose track of potential threats.
It may be unrealistic to use all of these tips whenever you work out. However, applying one or two of these can help better prepare you for concealed carrying while working out.
Concealed Carry Workout Clothes
As mentioned earlier, chafing can be a comfort issue when holsters start to rub on your skin. Picking the right concealed carry workout clothes for exercising is just as important as everything else – if you aren’t comfortable while concealed carrying and working out, you run the breaking your concealed carrying while exercising habits. So what is the best attire for concealed carrying during a workout?
Compression Clothing
Compression clothing is an option to help avoid having your holster chafing against your skin. Wearing compression shorts underneath your workout shorts will protect your bare skin from touching your gun holster/gun.
Longer Undershirt
Another trick many gun owners that are learning how to concealed carry while exercising use is wearing a longer undershirt that they tuck into their compression shorts. This is done to offer additional chafing protection. Many gun owners also wear longer undershirts untucked so the shirt extends past the torso. This allows you to cover your handgun even if you are doing overhead exercises like pull ups.
Baggy shirt
Most gym rats wear tight clothes while working out to show off their other “guns”. However, for an effective workout while concealed carrying, it is more practical to wear baggy shirts. A tight Under Armour shirt shows other people working out around you that you have a firearm. On the other hand, baggy shirts will obscure your mid-torso and prevent your concealed handgun from being revealed.
Suggested Concealed Carry Workout Gear
When it comes to holsters, there are plenty of options available on the market for active concealed carry. The important thing to keep in mind when looking for a holster to workout with is to avoid holsters that make you physically uncomfortable or cause chafing. Such uncomfortable conditions may stop you from concealed carrying while exercising. Your choice of workout holster should depend on your workouts of choice and what your clothing choices. Here are some options worth considering:
Neoprene Gun Holsters
Gun holsters with neoprene fabric are great for exercising because they have the ability to wick sweat away from the body. This helps keep you cool as you exercise. However, sweat seeping into your holster will eventually soak your gun in sweat – which may damage your firearm over time if you do not clean it regularly. If you are still not aware of how sweat can damage your firearm, check out our article here. NOTE: if you want to carry a holster that is easier to clean sweat out of, use a Kydex holster (warning: chafing may occur).
Jogger Holsters
Another excellent holster option for concealed carrying while working out is a jogger holster. These types of holsters distribute the weight of your firearm with multiple straps across the torso.
Belly Band Holsters
A belly band holster features a large elastic band with pockets secured around your hips with Velcro. They can be easily adjusted and secured so that your carry handgun does not bounce around as you run. Belly bands offer versatility as they can secure different types and sizes of firearms. One major drawback, however, is that they are designed to be used right up against the skin. As a result, they become wet and sweaty during a workout.
Sports Belt
A great option for concealed carrying while working out is using a sport belt. Many sports belts have strong rare earth magnets embedded in them (read about the effect magnets have on guns here). Depending on the manufacturer, your belt may also offer enclosures for firearms, one or two extra mags, your phone, and other small items.
Fanny Pack
Fanny packs are excellent for concealed carrying during a workout. However, drawing a weapon from a fanny pack takes practice and requires the use of both hands.
Keeping Your Firearms Clean After Exercising
After exercising or just a regular day out, every concealed carrier has the responsibility to keep their firearms clean. After a hard workout, sweat accumulating in and around your firearm is inevitable. Sweat is moisture, and moisture on your firearm will lead to rust if you do not clean your firearm as per manufacturer directions. Rust on your firearm leads to a decrease in the effectiveness and reliability of your firearm. Always be sure clean your firearm after exercising.
Other Precautions to Take While Concealed Carrying During a Workout
If the gym where you are working out has rules prohibiting carrying of weapons, then it’s time to switch to a more reasonable gym. However, in the meantime, always respect the establishment you choose to workout – and if you really are serious about concealed carrying while working out, look for gyms that are flexible with carrying firearms.
Learning how to concealed carry while exercising is a process takes much practice and habit-building. However, if you follow the tips and tricks laid out in this article, you can put yourself on the fast track towards successfully concealed carrying while exercising.
Do you have any additional tips for concealed carrying during a workout? Post a comment on our new Facebook group, the GMW Concealed Club, about it!
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How to Concealed Carry While Exercising
The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com.
BUY NOW
BUY NOW
For many gun owners, exercising is an essential part of life. While this may not pertain to sloths like myself (oops), exercising poses a challenge for concealed carriers: how to concealed carry while exercising? As you go about your gym, jogging, biking, or walking routine, as we like to say: threats don’t stop existing. You may find yourself in unfamiliar or sketchy territory while going about your workout routine (this is especially relevant for joggers). To protect yourself and those around you in such cases, it is crucial to have a concealed carry plan of action in mind for when working or exercising.
In this article, we cover how to effectively conceal your weapon while exercising, from picking your concealed carry gear to choosing your concealed carry workout attire. There are some interesting challenges to overcome specific to concealed carrying while working out, and we hope this article helps shed some light on this topic for you. Read on!
Table of Contents
The Basics of How to Concealed Carry While Exercising: Maintaining Comfort
Concealed Carry Workout Clothes
Suggested Concealed Carry Workout Gear
Keeping Your Firearms Clean After Exercising
Other Precautions to Take While Concealed Carrying During a Workout
The Basics of How to Concealed Carry While Exercising
On a regular non-workout day, concealed carrying is easy – throw on your concealed carry holster of choice, and go about your day. However, with concealed carrying during a workout, you throw in variables like shifting holsters from movement, increased sweat output that may damage your holster/firearm, etc. – factor that greatly impact the effectiveness of your concealed carrying. However, while these issues that crop up while concealed carrying during a workout are matters of concern, but all have solutions to ensure your safety, and the safety of those around you.
Issue #1: Chafing
You may IWB or appendix carry on a regular basis. However, exercising with such carrying methods is very difficult – the chafing that occurs from your IWB/appendix holster rubbing against your skin from movement quickly becomes unbearable. To avoid this, consider wearing compression shorts underneath your holster to reduce friction and prevent the holster from rubbing directly against your skin, or using shoulder holster carrying.
Issue #2: Weight
Another concern to consider while concealed carrying during a workout is the weight of your firearm. While carrying a few extra ounces or pounds may not be much of an issue during normal activity, a sidearm weighing down on one side of your body during a workout can affect your sense of balance/athletic performance. To alleviate this, try switching to a smaller firearm, or carry fewer rounds to lighten the load. After all, the point of concealed carry during workout is to keep your firearm concealed.
You may also consider using a back holster, which will be positioned on the flat of your back, helping maintain your equilibrium.
Issue #3: Falling Pants
This issue is linked to the weight of your CCW. Let’s say you’re doing burpees while concealed carrying with an OWB holster – with every explosive jump upwards, your pants get pulled down a bit down by gravity and the weight of your firearm. To combat this issue, clip your holster to the waistband of compression pants worn below your normal workout pants. Since your compression pants will not move as much as your workout pants, your CCW will be more well positioned.
Issue #4: Spotting/Printing
If you’ve read our article on printing while concealed carrying, you’d know that spotting your firearm is quite easy. While exercising and concealed carrying, accidentally spotting your gun is even easier. While fully avoiding spotting/printing your concealed carry while exercising is close to impossible, try wearing a looser, more baggy workout shirt to drape over your CCW while working out.
Issue #5: Draw Speed
Let’s be realistic. It’s unlikely that you will have the same draw speed at practice or at home after a hard workout or a long day on the trail. While you exercise, your focus is drawn to your body’s movements. On top of that, you are using energy to exercise, which results in being more tired and distracted from potential threats around you (example: focusing on not dropping the barbell on your back while squatting instead of people around you).
For this reason, you may lose some tactical advantage while exercising. Thus, since your draw speed may be seriously hindered while working out, it pays to keep in mind the following tips to keep you more prepared:
Logic: running outdoors offers you the opportunity to get a breath of fresh air. However, using headphones while running in remote areas can make you vulnerable to being caught off guard if attacked. As much as possible, try exercising without loud music and be aware of what is going on in your surroundings. Additionally, stick to well-known trails and neighborhoods to avoid being caught off guard.
It may be unrealistic to use all of these tips whenever you work out. However, applying one or two of these can help better prepare you for concealed carrying while working out.
Concealed Carry Workout Clothes
As mentioned earlier, chafing can be a comfort issue when holsters start to rub on your skin. Picking the right concealed carry workout clothes for exercising is just as important as everything else – if you aren’t comfortable while concealed carrying and working out, you run the breaking your concealed carrying while exercising habits. So what is the best attire for concealed carrying during a workout?
Compression Clothing
Compression clothing is an option to help avoid having your holster chafing against your skin. Wearing compression shorts underneath your workout shorts will protect your bare skin from touching your gun holster/gun.
Longer Undershirt
Another trick many gun owners that are learning how to concealed carry while exercising use is wearing a longer undershirt that they tuck into their compression shorts. This is done to offer additional chafing protection. Many gun owners also wear longer undershirts untucked so the shirt extends past the torso. This allows you to cover your handgun even if you are doing overhead exercises like pull ups.
Baggy shirt
Most gym rats wear tight clothes while working out to show off their other “guns”. However, for an effective workout while concealed carrying, it is more practical to wear baggy shirts. A tight Under Armour shirt shows other people working out around you that you have a firearm. On the other hand, baggy shirts will obscure your mid-torso and prevent your concealed handgun from being revealed.
Suggested Concealed Carry Workout Gear
When it comes to holsters, there are plenty of options available on the market for active concealed carry. The important thing to keep in mind when looking for a holster to workout with is to avoid holsters that make you physically uncomfortable or cause chafing. Such uncomfortable conditions may stop you from concealed carrying while exercising. Your choice of workout holster should depend on your workouts of choice and what your clothing choices. Here are some options worth considering:
Neoprene Gun Holsters
Gun holsters with neoprene fabric are great for exercising because they have the ability to wick sweat away from the body. This helps keep you cool as you exercise. However, sweat seeping into your holster will eventually soak your gun in sweat – which may damage your firearm over time if you do not clean it regularly. If you are still not aware of how sweat can damage your firearm, check out our article here. NOTE: if you want to carry a holster that is easier to clean sweat out of, use a Kydex holster (warning: chafing may occur).
Jogger Holsters
Another excellent holster option for concealed carrying while working out is a jogger holster. These types of holsters distribute the weight of your firearm with multiple straps across the torso.
Belly Band Holsters
A belly band holster features a large elastic band with pockets secured around your hips with Velcro. They can be easily adjusted and secured so that your carry handgun does not bounce around as you run. Belly bands offer versatility as they can secure different types and sizes of firearms. One major drawback, however, is that they are designed to be used right up against the skin. As a result, they become wet and sweaty during a workout.
Sports Belt
A great option for concealed carrying while working out is using a sport belt. Many sports belts have strong rare earth magnets embedded in them (read about the effect magnets have on guns here). Depending on the manufacturer, your belt may also offer enclosures for firearms, one or two extra mags, your phone, and other small items.
Fanny Pack
Fanny packs are excellent for concealed carrying during a workout. However, drawing a weapon from a fanny pack takes practice and requires the use of both hands.
Keeping Your Firearms Clean After Exercising
After exercising or just a regular day out, every concealed carrier has the responsibility to keep their firearms clean. After a hard workout, sweat accumulating in and around your firearm is inevitable. Sweat is moisture, and moisture on your firearm will lead to rust if you do not clean your firearm as per manufacturer directions. Rust on your firearm leads to a decrease in the effectiveness and reliability of your firearm. Always be sure clean your firearm after exercising.
Other Precautions to Take While Concealed Carrying During a Workout
If the gym where you are working out has rules prohibiting carrying of weapons, then it’s time to switch to a more reasonable gym. However, in the meantime, always respect the establishment you choose to workout – and if you really are serious about concealed carrying while working out, look for gyms that are flexible with carrying firearms.
Learning how to concealed carry while exercising is a process takes much practice and habit-building. However, if you follow the tips and tricks laid out in this article, you can put yourself on the fast track towards successfully concealed carrying while exercising.
Do you have any additional tips for concealed carrying during a workout? Post a comment on our new Facebook group, the GMW Concealed Club, about it!