Would you think it was odd if someone wore a burkini at an indoor pool?

I see plenty of them both indoors and at the beach here in Australia. I have a feeling they were invented here.

Our local pool has aquafit classes that have all shapes and sizes in it..and burkinis.

I would notice you more in a burkini than I would in a normal swimming costume

Our pool does a short (30 minute) session on Monday mornings called Up & Active. It is offered to people as part of the 12-week U&A programme which is for weight loss, but also to anyone who would benefit - mental health problems, post-surgery - all sorts of things. You pay £36 and then can use any of the gym/pool facilities for 12 weeks.

Although it is only for 12 weeks, some of us have asked permission to continue using it unless the session becomes too full (which it never has and I have been going for over a year now). We pay as if for a longer session, but we are only in for half an hour - which is enough for me anyway, but even if not, I appreciate being among sympathetic people with similar problems to me.

I have to admit that if I couldn't go to this session, I probably wouldn't go at all, partly because of my weight, but also because I am a poor swimmer and quite slow, so not sure how people swimming in lanes would feel.

Quite, I should add that I knew these people personally, so I know exactly what the issues were. I am not talking about people I have never seen before.

@incognitolady ive seen some women wearing one at the pool before.

The only thought that came to mind was ‘Good on them’.

And they might also have become overweight/obese because of their disability.

You won’t know that looking at them though.

Obvious conclusion that really shouldn’t need to be repeated @Frequency

Dont judge on appearances.

It's none of my business what other people wear.

I generally assume people are wearing them for modesty/religious reasons rather than for sun cover or something so it makes no difference if the pool is indoors or outdoors!

Our pool sells swimsuits - including burkini's. No one would bat an eye if you wore one here. (Council baths)

I've never seen one in real life, but I'd not think anything of it if someone wore one at our local leisure centre.

I have seen many people disabled by their weight though, and that disablement meant that they were able to claim benefits because of that. How then, can it not be classed as a disability? 🤔

Honestly it would draw my attention and I would wonder if you were covering up because you feel self conscious. I would feel sad for you and then think no more of it. You’d draw much less attention in a regular swimsuit.

What do some people here think a burkini is? Talking about headscarves and stuff? Here’s a photo. The material is very light swimsuit material and they certainly don’t drag in the water. There are tighter fitting styles too which are still modest.

I lane swim a lot and honestly, no one notices what anyone else looks like, whether they’re very covered up or unshaven legs etc.
No one will bat an eyelid (most of us are in there without our glasses anyway!)

I remember Nigella doing this on the beach a few years ago as she didn't want tabloids taking photos of her body. Quite a good idea.

Some of the Muslim women wear burkinis where I am. I am obese and have knee problems, I didn't want to wear a burkini because I thought the long sleeves might be a problem getting on and off. I didn't want to get a tankini because I didn't like the thought of a gap in the middle.

I bought an ordinary swimsuit from the same place I buy my bras because I was worried in case my boobs popped out and frightened everyone. Then I bought a pair of swim shorts (from Yours) to put over the top as I didn't fancy walking round in what basically looks like my knickers. Then I bought a swim tee off Amazon and put that on over everything. This means I am covered from neck to knee (I am very short) and if anything comes adrift in the middle, I am covered there too.

Do I look like a stuffed sausage? Probably. Do I care? No. Has anyone ever commented? No - well one woman told me it was great I was wearing something I felt comfortable in, which I took as a compliment.

I do try to go at quiet times though.

Once you have been for the first time, it's easy - even better if you can go with a friend (I couldn't unfortunately) - as long as that friend doesn't look like a supermodel! 😁

This thread is blowing my mind, it's astounding and quite depressing.

Do you think a burkini might be made out of... swimsuit material?

Go for it OP, my only advice is don't buy a cheap one, it wo t last long. Addidas and nike have a good range

The very obese women in our local pool wear leggings and t shirts (thin workout tshirts that don’t weigh you down, or rash vests). There are usually a couple of very big ladies dressed like that in the toddler pool with their kids during family swim time, it’s pretty normal at least round here.

I’d think absolutely nothing about a burkini.

One of the pools near me serves a diverse community and has a diverse range of swimwear.
Some other pools are a bit more mainstream.

I wear all sorts depending on what I'm doing. If it's bobbing around with the DCs, I'm more likely to cover up for warmth with rash vests or shortie wetsuit. I've worn cycling shorts before to protect my sore, scabby thigh chaffe after my legs shredded themselves while running.

Some people on this thread clearly don't know what a burkini is 😂. It's not a burkha, please google it 😂

Commonplace where I live (east London)