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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be surprised by this?

68 replies

velvetspoon · 23/02/2014 19:59

So I've joined a local (newly-opened) gym.

Went for first time today. All spotlessly clean etc.

But the showers were communal Shock one large tiled area, off the changing room, with lots of shower heads. No cubicles of any kind!

Luckily there was no-one else in there, so I was able to shower in private. But not sure if I can face doing so at busy times.

Is this the norm now? I was really surprised by it. Admittedly I haven't been in a gym or similar in years, but I'm sure they used to have some sort of cubicles in the showers to afford even a tiny bit of privacy!

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 23/02/2014 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bodybooboo · 23/02/2014 20:00

omg!! you stripped off!! seriously!! think you are supposed to keep your costume on chik. Grin

OuterFromOutersville · 23/02/2014 20:01
Shock
winterlace · 23/02/2014 20:02

I think you're supposed to keep your costume on! Shock the one at college was like this

FunkyBarnYard · 23/02/2014 20:03

Costume? But she hasn't said she was swimming?

Ihatepeas · 23/02/2014 20:03

Yep it like this at my gym.

OrangePixie · 23/02/2014 20:03

You wouldn't have a costume on in a gym though?

Not good OP, I'd be changing gyms!

Original poster
velvetspoon · 23/02/2014 20:04

Yes, what costume? It's just a basic gym, there's no pool!

OP posts:
WelshMaenad · 23/02/2014 20:04

What costume? It's a gym not a pool.

I tend to just chuck a sweat top on and shower at home anyway. Paddling around in other peoples pubes is a possibility i'd rather avoid.

CrohnicallyFarting · 23/02/2014 20:04

bodybooboi the OP said gym rather than pool, I don't think she'd want to shower in her tracky bottoms and t shirt?

But no, I wouldn't want to shower naked in a communal shower. One thing I will ask though, my local leisure centre has a pool and a gym, there are 2 separate changing rooms with shower cubicles in the gym change but communal in the pool change. Is it possible it's the same at your gym?

CrohnicallyFarting · 23/02/2014 20:05

X post, see you've said there's no pool. In which case I'd go home in my gym clothes and shower and change at home.

VoyageDeVerity · 23/02/2014 20:05

??

bodybooboo · 23/02/2014 20:06

oh yes sorry our gym has a pool.

then no that's rank!

FrazzleRock · 23/02/2014 20:06

But what if the OP had just gone to the shower having been to the gym? Should they keep their gym gear on to shower?

velvetspoon - I'm not shy, but I'd hate that. Never heard of a gym having a communal shower.

Pepperglitter · 23/02/2014 20:06

Communal as in men and women together?
If so that's weird!

But most gyms I've been to have communal " women" showers in the ladies changing room. I wouldn't think twice about getting naked in them, that's normal.

Original poster
velvetspoon · 23/02/2014 20:11

Christ no, not men and women!

This is off the ladies changing room, so just women. But even so...I'm far too fat and flabby (hence joining gym!) to want to get naked in front of other women!

I don't have a shower at home, so was actually looking forward to a shower at the gym! Plus I live a 25 min walk, I'd rather shower than have to walk home in my sweaty gym kit. But I might have to if it's busy next time!

OP posts:
TheZeeTeam · 23/02/2014 20:12

I'm confused. Do you mean communal for women only or communal for men as well?

TheZeeTeam · 23/02/2014 20:13

Oh cross post! I was a bit Shock for a minute!

CelticPromise · 23/02/2014 20:21

It's quite common I think, I wouldn't worry about it. I play team sports and am used to communal showers- we are all shapes and sizes and no-one bats an eyelid. It's daft that in most pools it's the done thing to keep your costume on.

puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE · 23/02/2014 20:23

Oh god I thought you meant men and women. Nah women wouldn't bother me.

edwinbear · 23/02/2014 20:26

I just nearly spat my mouthful of wine out at the thought of male and female communal showers. But if it's women only, it's a bit too school changing rooms for me but if I didn't have a shower at home, I'd probably brave it and just face the wall.

bodybooboo · 23/02/2014 20:26

Grin thought you meant mixed!! got to say I don't want to get need with other birds either op. our gym has cubicles.

yeuk reminds me of school showers and telling the teacher I was 'on' to avoid them.

Sparrowlegs248 · 23/02/2014 20:26

Jesus i thought you meant men and women!! Sharing with other women i could probably cope with. Still, a bit of privacy to wash your bits wouldn't hurt.

bodybooboo · 23/02/2014 20:26

naked not needs!!!

MostWicked · 23/02/2014 20:27

No I wouldn't like that at all. I don't mind communal changing rooms but I prefer privacy in a shower.

After a swim it would be fine, but not after the gym. I would drop them an email to ask if they are intending to keep it this way. Maybe if they realise that it will put people off, they might do something about it.