Carry at the Gym

[2000Z-71]

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but the latest shooting at LA Fitness in Pittsburgh has got me thinking that maybe carrying at the gym is not a bad idea. The only practical methods I can see for carry are either a fanny pack or some type of off body carry. I also have visions of pocket carrying a j-frame in loose fitting gym shorts and having it fall out and be shot off the back of a moving treadmill.

I'm not a fan of fanny packs in the first place. I also think it would get in the way during abdominal exercises and I don't like the idea of it bouncing around while I'm on the treadmill.

Offbody carry I think would present the potential of having someone walk off with it. I'll be honset, my situational awareness isn't exactly great when I'm concentrating on getting through a set. While I haven't personally done it yet, I always see people walking off without their water bottles, cell phones, iods, etc. after sitting them down to get a set in.

Any suggestions?

The other downside is that whatever I carry would be locked in a locker while swimming and showering. While I do use a combination lock, it's still a public place and I'd be worried about someone breaking the lock while I was gone.

 

[flop-shank]

Perhaps some combination of thunderwear, or a belly band and a P3AT, or J frame would work.

 

[pharmer]

Most of us that carry are protected a good percentage of the time. The rest of the time we take our chances. We must figure for ourselves the "acceptable percentage." If you need exercise, do you also need a gym? Joe

 

[GatorFarmer]

Couple options... One of course is to buy a Bow Flex or that thing that Chuck Norris advertises on TV.

Other things that come to mind are an ankle rig and wearing loose fitting work out pants ala a jogging suit (sometimes called a Guido suit). Plenty of people work out with weights on their ankles.

My thought would be to try one of the hydration packs perhaps. I see plenty of people wearing those when jogging, biking, etc.

 

[marvin the martian]

Ankle holster hiding under leg warmers...

 

[enidpd804]

I always carry at the gym. I carry a fanny pack to the gym with the nastiest looking towel I can fine. When I play racquetball, I put the whole pile of gear right by the door in the glass where I can see it with the towel ingloriously laid across it. I take my phone and decoy wallet and lie them next to the pile. Better someone take that than my gun.

 

[STAR56]

I place my m37 in the end zippered pouch of my gym bag which is always beside the equipment I'm using. I usually work out with one or two other deputies and we keep an eye on each others bag.

 

[Spicoli]

Maybe a groin holster? Would have to be wearing baggy shorts or else the ladies and the spectacled mustachios will give you some looks.


Or get a camel back (it is a water bladder inside of a "backpack" that road / mountain bikers mostly use) plenty of room for a piece.

Just thowing ideas out there 2000Z-71.

 

[Leonard]

You are all missing the simplest solution of all. Get the gym to post its doors with a NO GUN sign. Then you can concentrate on your exercises knowing the sign will stop the criminal at the door.

 

[2000Z-71]

Well today as a "trial run" I carried my cell phone in addition to my water bottle during my workout. The problem I was having was being able to set it down somewhere where I was able to see it while working out. Some machines were relatively easy to set it down within my field of view. Others really only had the option of setting it on the floor either directly underneath or behind me where I was not able to see it. I may try a trial run with a fanny pack and see if it's better than I anticipate.

My current thoughts are that the downsides outweight the positives. I don't particularly like the idea of off body carry, and it's even more disturbing when I'm not able to maintain visual contact with it. Then there's the issue of leaving it in the locker while I swim and shower.

Probably the biggest issue to me is emmotional. The gym is the one place that I am able to go and completely tune out the world around me. I put my headphones on and get into my zone, relax and escape the stress of life. I really don't want to give that up and be worried about what I'm carrying with me or what may be stolen in the locker room.

 

[BarbC]

What about Thunderwear and loose gym shorts?

 

[Dan Cash]

Buy a Kel Teck and tape it to your self with some duct tape. The Kel Teck is cheap and won't rust much and when it is used up, get another. A fast draw mught be interesting but you have to do what you have to do.

 

[2000Z-71]

Redneck waxing - duct tape.

 

[wbraswell]

A jock with two pouches. Ouch!

 

[safearm]

I think a small backpack or fanny pack would be easy to carry in the gym along with a towel. If you're on a treadmill, you could easily hang it on the rails, across the console, etc., and no one would be the wiser. If you're working the machines, put in under the seat. Obviously, you have to be mentally sharp enough not to forget it, but that's the responsibility you accept when you CCW. It's also a great way to carry ID, cell phone, water bottle, etc.
When I was in Iraq, we had to be armed 24/7, even at the gym. The nice thing was everybody had a weapon, so you didn't have to worry about someone taking yours. You could put it in the rack at the front door and pick it up when you left. Maybe a new business opportunity: gun-friendly gym?

 

[primetime]

ah, how about a NAA 22 mag on a lanyard around your neck under a loose T shirt?
just a thought, , ,

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Guys-I'm gonna spell it out in simple terms everyong can understand.
DON'T go to the gym!!! All you're doing with this exercise nonsense is putting off the inevitable-Remember what they say "good health just means you're dyin' slower."

I mean when you're out in the shed drinkin' nobody cares that you are carryin and you don't have to worry about anyone sneaking up on you cause you're sitting facing the only point of entry. One thing I would reccomend is to uncock it before you go back into the house in case you stumble and fall.
Oh, and always be sure of your backstop.
So sayeth the Caje

 

[oldRoger]

When I am lifting I wear a 6" compression belt, many moves simply would not work with a holster I think no way to practically carry on my person. Some of the LEOs have reached the same conclusion.
Many take their bag from position to position, but without a watchful partner that poses problems. You cannot watch your bag and do a proper bench lift.

I have given it a lot of thought in the past and am stymied. Many of the attendants are ex military, I would like to see them carry openly, some of the ladies might object i suppose.

 

[Frizzman]

Didn't you see that show about guns on ABC with Diane Sawyer a couple of months ago? According to that, you will never be able to get your gun out and shoot the psycho anyway. Good running shoes might be more useful...or kneepads.

 

[westkybanded]

I stay out of gyms. I do run tho, and have taken to running in cargo shorts with a belt. I've tried all manner of carry like this, and have found that IWB in the middle of the small of my back to be the most comfortable.