With the holidays over and family celebrations and office parties behind us, some of us may be trying to get our “behinds” back in shape. Some of us will hit the gym after the holidays and wonder how to carry concealed while exercising.
Whether we’re alone running in the park, biking on a trail, on horseback, cross country skiing, hiking or working out in a gym, we need to prepare for self-defense. This may mean figuring out how to carry concealed while exercising.
If you are going to be armed, being in good physical condition is the responsible thing to do. Carrying concealed while exercising has its limitations. It can be awkward. We often wear streamlined clothing made from stretchy fabric when running or biking. Lycra can make clip-ons problematic. For winter sports, our clothing can be bulky. Sometimes we may have to change up our method of carry and even our handgun to effectively carry concealed while exercising. We need something secure that will prevent our firearm from shifting and bouncing.
Carrying a compact lightweight handgun will help. Many people who exercise outdoors buy micro-sized guns to carry concealed while exercising. If your gun will be exposed to snow, rain or sweat, corrosion may be issue. Take this into consideration and choose a finish that is rust-resistant.
Ankle holsters are not a practical method of carrying concealed while exercising. They are often too bulky and the added weight on the leg just doesn’t allow for freedom of movement when running, biking or cross country skiing.
Similarly, carrying at the hip is frequently found to be awkward because so much motion is centered there on the body. Add that to the weight of the gun pulling on stretchy fabric like Lycra or polyester blends—it’s not a stable combination.
Fanny packs are still on the market and have evolved considerably over the years. There are gun packs and micro-gun packs. You may feel like you’re obviously carrying with a fanny pack, but it’s better than not having your gun when you need it. The downside of the fanny pack is the jiggle factor; one can only tighten it so much. So while it’s great for some outdoor activities, it has limitations for carrying concealed while exercising.
The belly band seems to be the preferred option for how to carry concealed while exercising. You can carry above the hip, there is room for extra ammunition, they can be water resistant, they prevent shift and jiggle, and they are fairly inexpensive. Belly bands are elastic, so by nature give and take with the movement of the body, making them a great choice for physical activity. You may like them so much, that you use them for everyday carry.
Ultimately, do what works for you. But remember, your aim is only one part of the equation. Physical fitness should be taken as seriously as your range practice and mental health. If we’re serious about self-defense, let’s not leave any factors to chance.
