Communal changing at gym- am I weird?

[TinselAngel]

The gym I’ve joined recently has a large communal changing area with just a few cubicles. I seem to be one of the only people (women) who doesn’t want to get changed in the communal changing room and uses the cubicles.

Is everybody else really fine with getting their kit off in (single sex) public?

Mind you I am fatter than the average gym goer which doesn’t help.

I never do it.
I even go in a cubicle to faff around changing socks and my hoodie. I have no interest in showing my body to anyone. Except doctors as they kind of have to see it.

It doesn’t bother me for gym changing. I prefer a cubicle for swimming as the damp air makes it harder to get properly dry without being naked for a couple of minutes!

I won't do it either, you are not alone e. I like a bit of privacy.

I wouldnt use a gym with communal changing
Full stop

I change in the communal area. I'm very slightly overweight (by BMI standards). I don't care at all. I don't hide under a towel to put my underwear on. I don't think anyone else could care less about my body

The Bannatynes gym near me has this set up, there are 3 cubicles with the rest communal. I'm only an occasional visitor, DH will get me a day pass sometimes for a gift, but when I do go I use a cubicle if there's one free, but if not I'll just use the communal bit. There's all body types in there and nobody cares about my pudgy middle aged self.

It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Good job as we only have two cubicles.Nobody cares.

Single sex no I don’t mind. No one’s looking at me - and even if they were I don’t care. I’m not looking at anyone else, I’m just getting dressed or undressed for exercise. As long as I only have other women round me, I don’t feel that I need to go in a cubicle. I do think they should be around for women who do want them though.

I prefer privacy. I don't want to see other peoples' private parts either. What happens if you see someone you know in there, just happy to let them see your genitalia?

YANBU I rarely ever change at the gym

There are zero cubicles at my gym it’s just a communal changing area. Some people get changed in the toilet. Which I find more weird. I can quite easily get changed under a towel without exposing myself though so maybe that’s why I’m less bothered

Well given that there is a private option available to you, what’s the issue?

It’s ok to do things differently to other people. No one else will notice or care.

Good for you! I wish I was less self conscious.

Our local pool only has communal changing room no cubicals. Local council only refurbished a few years ago. Mostly used for lessons for the adjoining primary school. I only use it in the late evenings when I'm usually the only person in the pool and changing rooms. Doesn't bother me when I'm not alone though.

Are there any that have all cubicles?

Our local leisure centre pool only has communal changing in the ladies, unless you use a toilet cubical. Im not bothered as most of the other customers are larger retired ladies who happily strut about naked!

I think about this sometimes, because I have a couple of friends who i know would absolutely hide under a towel to get ready. I think me being naked would make them uncomfortable, so perhaps I'd cover up for their sake

But I'm naked in front of people I know from the gym and I don't care about that at all. My gym is at my place of work too, so I sometimes see colleagues. Don't care. Don't be in a communal changing room if you dont want to see people naked

Also, the showers are just frosted glass and I’m not a massive fan of that either.

Ours have a manky shower curtain that sometimes touches you when you're showering. I'd prefer they were open than that!

I’ve got used to it. We don’t have many cubicles so it just becomes the norm. Some people don’t seem to care and completely strip off, I tend to change under a large towel. Not too bothered about my boobs being on show but not my bottom half.

I really don’t think anyone cares which I like, women of all shapes and sizes just getting on with getting changed without any fuss, it has made me less self conscious for sure.

You are not alone OP.
I've never been comfortable with the idea of people, especially myself, changing in communal areas.
It's not that I don't realise that no one is looking at me rather than concentrating on getting themselves undressed and dressed as quickly as possible.
It's just that I am a very private person, as are many others, and if I have a choice of a cubicle, I take it.

My previous gym had this set up. Fortunately I went at a fairly quiet time so there was usually a cubicle available. If it was busy and you had to change in the public area you were always in someone's way, with them trying to access a locker near you.

I much prefer my current gym which has one big mixed changing room for everyone, with about 30 cubicles. There is always a free cubicle.

What are you doing getting changed? I don't show my genitalia to anyone when changing. Are you putting kne keg up in a bench and faffing about??

@TinselAngel

before the stroke I'd have just got changed in the communal area. Since the stroke getting dressed/undressed is a bit of a performance as I don't have much use of my dominant arm/hand & balance is a bit dodge. Luckily I don't need to change there at the moment as it's near home anyway ' & I'm just doing rehab exercises. So not exactly breaking a sweat! If/when I need to change there I'll probably use a cubical as I feel very self conscious if my awkward movements & if I need to put a bra on it's a right faff (currently only happens if I am going somewhere)

each to their own really.

Not at all keen on communal changing - never use it at the gym, arrive on car in gear and shower at home. I would not go swimming if I had to use communal changing rooms - it would make me dread the experience and I’m done with that emotion!

Actually, I should add that I go to the gym on my lunchbreak at work. If it wasn't for that I would just go home to shower or change, just because it's more sanitary there!