Is this normal on a martial arts class?

[Ninjawannabee]

I went to a martial arts class recently. At the end the teacher (male) was talking to me for a minute and he started getting changed while talking. Just took his top off, not trousers, but it unnerved me slightly. We were in the main class room, but it had the vibe of showing off to me. I got the impression he might have fancied me a bit (not a stealth boast, I am average attractiveness at the best of times and currently slightly podgy, no make up and a weird skin thing on my chin, samantha brick I ain't!) so maybe I'm being slightly sensitive?

I'm happily married with two young children, I mentioned the children in passing but not the husband just because it didn't come up - ie I want to start this martial art up again, it's been years since I did it, and two children later I'm ready to start improving my fitness

Just wondering if this was normal behaviour or if he's being a bit overly familiar and I need to keep an eye open

Normal behaviour. I've seen my teacher in his underpants. While holding a conversation with me.

(Whatever you do, don't take up potholing - privacy consists in turning your back on as many of the group as possible while you all do a roadside complete change (including underwear) as discreetly as is possible in near-zero temperatures and a howling gale.)

Never saw my kickboxing instructor in less then appropriate clothing. Mind you, his wife was our other instructor.

Normal in my adults/children mixed class.

Normal. In quite a few martial arts by the time you have finished rolling around on the floor your top half is pretty much completely undone anyway. Very important to wear a t shirt underneath if female and bra flashing is not your thing.

Phew! Thanks, glad he isn't trying to impress me with his topless form! I'll chill out and enjoy the class and will ensure I'm well covered when I get my gi

Normal.

Totally normal. It's just his chest not his danglies

My son(11) does MMA and in one of his lessons the older boys who help teach the class both arrived and got changed at the side of the mats.

Normal

is he fit

TBH, from what you’ve said, it’s just as likely he sees you as sexually invisible- so was just getting changed in front of you like he would a bloke.

Keep an eye on him by all means- but really, plenty of blokes are not falling over themselves to peacock in front of chubby married Mums.

I know that sounds bitchy- but I’m speaking from my own experiences of being a quite fat, 30-something (un)married Mum.

That sounds really harsh written down saucy but you might have a point! I can't put it into words why I thought he fancied me, just a vibe, intuition or whatever. And he did say one or two things which gave a bit more weight to the theory. I won't say what just on the off-chance he or his wife (no idea if he's married?) read this it'll be very obvious it's me.

I don't mean to drip feed, but if the getting changed thing is normal then I'll turn my overactive imagination off and not be wary around him unless he gives me a proper reason to feel uncomfortable.

He's not bad looking delph, probably quite attractive to some people but not really my cup of tea, which I must admit I'm relieved about.

I love a good work crush, harmless fun. However I'm hoping to get very into the martial art and spend a lot of time training, maybe weekends away occasionally. I do not want to be doing that around someone if there is a mutual attraction, that suddenly feels a lot less harmless

It sounds like you're disappointed that he doesn't fancy you?

Haha! So normal. We always used to change in the hall unless removing underwear or showering. Not sure why, I guess you just don’t think about it.

Don't do am dram OP. I've seen parts of people I'd really rather forget (although I did get DH out of it).

Nope, definitely relieved. I want something I can really get into and this class is very promising.
I really don't need the drama of awkwardness around the instructor

My instructor never did that (although I wish he did! 😂
Some of the boys in the class would, plus before sparring starts you always have to be a bit careful when walking out into the corridor in case you catch them rearranging their boxes!!! 🥊🍒

Definitely normal at my DDs’ classes.

As for the theatre, quick changes side of stage often necessitate the children averting their eyes/facing the wall. Last panto I commented that I saw the comedian’s pants more in December than my husband’s!

When I was in a martial arts club a few years ago the guys changed in the classroom/dojo/studio and I, as the lone woman, used the changing room across the corridor.
As soon as we had been “dismissed” the guys would start getting changed, often while I was still talking to them about the class.
So that sounds normal to me.

The ego's involved in the martial arts world are so fucking enormous that he might possibly have been enjoying making you feel uncomfortable?

It is normal, but it is a bit of a hangover from when martial arts spaces were almost entirely male. Its something that happens at my gym a lot and the instructors are always reminding people to use the changing rooms even if they're not getting fully changed (because there's been a lot of feedback that it puts people off starting, not just for women but anyone who's a bit body conscious)

@curlykaren depends where you go, my instructor is totally humble, not a shred of ego there and as a previous world champion he has every reason to be if he wanted to be.