I exercise just about every day. Always outside. Not into gyms, even pre-coof. I run 3-10 miles most days, which can include trails, hills, stairs, sprints, whatever. I mainly stick with bodyweight stuff like pushups, pullups, pistol squats, jump rope, plyometrics, heavybag/padwork, rollerblading, etc. Ok, maybe not rollerblading (not since the pothole incident). This is not to boast but to say that you can do pretty much anything comfortably while carrying. My workouts do not consist of bench pressing 225 for reps (I can do exactly zero), flexing for Insta, doing another set, gabbing about Rogan, doing another set. Not that there's anything wrong with that. If you're off the couch and moving your body, that's fantastic, and you have my respect. Only providing context here.This post condenses months of research and trial and error of carrying a gun while exercising. My hope is that it saves time for anyone out there power-walking the same path in life. This is by no means the only way to carry, but it's by far the best for my lifestyle, body type, and budget.Carrying goals: Comfortable and covert. My tool of choice is a Glock 43 with an extra mag. Oftentimes during runs I will stop at playgrounds to do some pullups and pushups if it's not too busy. Obviously the people who frequent playgrounds are children and mothers. Printing is just not an option and is of utmost importance to me. I can only imagine the call, 'Hello 911? Yes, there's a creepy sweaty old man with a gun challenging my four year old to a pullup contest on the monkey bars over here.' Nope, not happening. This gun simply does not exist unless it's being drawn to defend, which will statistically be never.Onto the goods. Evolution of carrying while exercising.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Version #1 - Kydex AIWB with regular drawstring gym/board shortsProsMinimalist, no need for new gym clothes or special equipmentPrinting: noneQuick draw timeConsSaggy gun syndrome, drawstring not hefty enough to hold up your holsterRequires special Ulticlip for holster to grab onto fabric. Regular holster clip slips off shorts during draw.No room for extra magVerdict: Not viable-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Version #2 - Kydex AIWB with EDC gun belt under regular drawstring gym/board shortsProsGun is secure and an extra mag can now be addedPrinting: minimalQuick draw timeConsBelt is directly on skin, which causes chaffing after miles of running. Or you have to wear an additional undershirt which increases sweating.Belt is not secure, rides up high, and shifts while doing anything related to squatting or jumpingVerdict: fine for fairy workouts but not viable for any significant physical movement-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Version #3 - Bellyband (now we're getting somewhere)I quickly learned that not all bellybands are created equal. In general, I wanted soft durable fabric (some use neoprene wetsuit material, others use scratchy itchy fabric), a retention system, trigger guard protection, and a price tag under $30. It is hard to find a band that checks all four boxes. I don't mind paying for a good holster, and I believe one should, but any fabric is bound to wear out and will need replacing. I don't have the funds to get a $75 bellyband every few months. Kydex is different. Pay for a good one once, and it'll never need replacing.After searching far and wide (i.e. online research, word of mouth, and/or physically trying almost every band on the market) I arrived at the ComforTac bellyband. This is the only brand that will be mentioned in this post, and the reason is that it is by far the best bellyband/deal in town. Just skip the rest. I have zero affiliation with the business or the brand or hold any stock if that's even a thing for this company. It's just a damn good product and can fit many different sized pistols. Super soft fabric that doesn't chafe and can take a beating, check. Optional retention strap, check. Solid trigger guard covering, check. Under $30, check (usually find one for $20). Bonus: extra pocket and removable velcro attachment for mag and unmentionables.Back to bellybands in general.ProsGun is secure with extra mag capabilityComfortable and generally stays put for prolonged, intense workoutsPrinting: a little more than previous attempts (extra layer of fabric wrapped around entire torso), but minimalMultiple carry positions: appendix and 6 o'clock were the most comfortable and least printy, closely followed by under the armpit, but armpit carry printed a bit much for meAccommodates all kinds of pistolsConsUnnatural. Moving around with a 5" piece of neoprene wrapped around your waist takes some getting used to, but not terrible overall.Increased sweating due to extra layer of fabric under shortsIncreased draw time due to the button-strap retention system, requires deliberate practiceCan ride up high during intense exercises, but mostly it's a non-factorVerdict: great option all around with a few noticeable drawbacks-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Version #4 - Kydex AIWB with EDC gun belt and stretchy surf/golf shorts with beltloopsSo far, this is the holy grail of carrying while exercising. Let's be honest, lugging around a 1.5 lb chunk of metal while doing anything is going to require some sacrifice. It's certainly not the case that carrying a gun makes working out more comfortable. But, I am proof that it can be done unobtrusively, safely, and with zero printing. It's a little odd at first working out in what looks like regular shorts with the two open-slanted front pockets, zipper fly, and beltloops. But the fabric is super thin, light, stretchy, and dries very quickly. I found two name brand pairs at Goodwill for $15 total.ProsGun is secure and extra mag on the belt no problemComfortable for prolonged, intense workoutsPrinting: noneSame draw time and stroke as EDCNo loss of range of motion from regular gym/board shortsPockets galore for IDs, keys, mace, Santiago, etc.You can go from running a marathon to the bar without looking out of place (I do not advocate drinking while armed)Bonus: option to covertly wrap a RATS tourniquet through the belt loops like a second belt without added hassleConsWearing a thick gun belt while exercising is not unnoticeableHave to buy new gym shortsIncreased sweating, requires extra base-layer shirt or else the holster rubs directly on skinVerdict: Winner-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Final thoughts.Phlster Enigma. Looks like a unique system and I have heard nothing but good things, but this one is not for me. One, over-priced (not expensive, there's a difference). Two, too complicated. Three, after all the research and testing I've personally done, my overall impression is that less is more. There is a lot of extra metal and a big plastic buckle in the front on top of the holster itself. I can't imagine that not rubbing the wrong way after a while. The leg loop also looks annoying. To be fair, I have never physically held or tried this holster, and these are just my opinions from afar. I reserve the right to be totally wrong about it.Off-body carry. Not much to say here. Show me a fanny pack without a million straps that doesn't bounce. Sounds perfect for a stroll to the coffeeshop but not a 5 mile trail run.Sweat. There's no way around it. You will sweat more than usual if carrying while exercising. The only viable options are a bellyband, which is a giant strip of thick fabric wrapped around your entire torso, or, a holster which requires an extra base-layer undershirt so the kydex doesn't rub directly on your skin. I've been brainstorming possibly adding a thin layer of neoprene to the holster itself using adhesive but have not prototyped anything. I feel that could be a potential workaround instead of wearing an extra shirt.Sweat leads to increased maintenance. If I'm sweating, the gun gets moisture on it. It typically appears only on the side facing in towards my body. It collects between the gap where the slide meets the polymer and also on the grip which sometimes leaks in through the mag release button onto the mag itself. I have found no solutions for this other than doing a quick wipe down after each workout. I also try and do a more thorough cleaning/lubing every week or so, even though I rarely shoot live since the shortage. I have no idea if this is either adequate or overkill. I'm erring on the side of better safe than sorry.Pullups with a gun in appendix position. This was a tough nut to crack and took a long time to figure out. As stated before, printing is just not an option for me. Unless I was wearing a nightgown (as I do from time to time, don't judge), the gun was visible during pullups. I tried layering multiple shirts, hiking up my shorts so high that my balls were dropping out the bottom, you name it. My holster is tuckable, but there is nothing holding the shirt fabric in the slot. Nothing was working and I was self-conscious enough that I was only doing pullups at night or when I knew no one was around. Not a long term solution.It happened by accident one day. As I was putting on my holster the bottom hem of my shirt got caught between the clip and the belt. Problem solved. Now I just wedge a small piece of shirt fabric up in between the holster clip and the belt. The clip is still secure to the belt. The shirt snags the clip and holds just enough so it doesn't expose your beltline when raising your arms for pullups, but it's loose enough that it breaks free when forcibly clearing the shirt for a draw.The quest is over? With the amount of testing I've done at this point, I really don't see improving much on Version #4. I would love to be proven wrong. If I have missed a product that exists in the market or am not aware of some game-changing lifehack, please fill me in. I will see to it that the gun gods shower you with ammo, center mass hits, and sub-second draws.Hope this helps. Stay sharp. Stay safe. Stay strapped.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TLDRKydex on straight gym shorts: straight garbageKydex with EDC gun belt under gym shorts: walking the dog, yes ... Jazzercize, noBellyband: comfortable option for all types of workouts with some drawbacks (ComforTac or bust)Kydex with EDC gun belt on stretchy surf/golf shorts with belt loops: I like the stockBonus: tuck your shirt hem in between your holster clip and belt and 'Just Say No' to printing while pullup-ingQuestions for the communityHow bad is condensation for the gun and ammo? Is this even something to worry about?Should I be doing more than just wiping down the gun after it gets wet?Should the ammo be replaced or rotated more often?What is the meaning of life?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------... via /r/CCW https://ift.tt/2ZZNQwA