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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

public showers

169 replies

rahjama · 01/07/2022 20:19

Got into a debate recently with a friend over the showers at our local gym. We go to the gym together a lot of the time and both always shower after.

Given the prices of everything going up, the cost of living being more expensive, and the fact that the gym membership itself isn't cheap, every time I go I take full advantage of the 'free' hot shower. I always take shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a razor, face scrub/wash and generally everything I use in a shower as if I were at home.

I do not wash my hair every day at home, I save that for when I use the gym showers roughly 3x a week. And yes I shower daily but only wash my body , in my shower at home for 5 minutes max. And yes DH and DC all shower normally at home, I just thought saving water where we can is smart.

Friend saw my razor and was mortified that I shave in the public showers. I don't personally think it's dirty and I don't mind the thought of someone else also shaving in them. I'm only talking legs and armpits, no pubic hair as I get a wax, maybe that's tmi, but I think if I didn't get a wax then maybe I would do my pubic hairs as well??

Friend just made me feel really dirty and unhygienic and I wanted others opinions on it?? I didn't realise it was so disgusting

OP posts:
007DoubleOSeven · 01/07/2022 20:23

You're not dirty or anything but I don't think its appropriate to take a razor for hair removal at the gym, sorry.

It's not nice for other people and risks leaving stray hair behind which is just euch.

007DoubleOSeven · 01/07/2022 20:24

think if I didn't get a wax then maybe I would do my pubic hairs as well??

This would absolutely, definitely be gross

ElizaJones · 01/07/2022 20:25

Yeah you really shouldn’t be shaving in a public shower

CurleyMango · 01/07/2022 20:27

Don’t shave at a public shower…it’s just something that you shouldn’t do. Normal shower and hair ok.

TheBikiniExpert · 01/07/2022 20:27

Shaving in a public shower is a bit gross. My local pool specifically has a sign up saying not to do it so I guess they have had problems!

bjjgirl · 01/07/2022 20:29

I train twice a day and all my showers are at the gym, I always shave there, I always make sure the shower is clean when I have used it.

RJnomore1 · 01/07/2022 20:30

And this is why I’d rather drive home sweaty

Original poster
rahjama · 01/07/2022 20:32

I didn't realise it was so disgusting BlushConfused

OP posts:
Meredusoleil · 01/07/2022 20:33

RJnomore1 · 01/07/2022 20:30

And this is why I’d rather drive home sweaty

Exactly what I was going to say 🤢

Ginger1982 · 01/07/2022 20:34

Yuck! Sorry. By all means shower but no shaving!

girlmom21 · 01/07/2022 20:34

rahjama · 01/07/2022 20:32

I didn't realise it was so disgusting BlushConfused

You'd be happy to walk through other peoples bodily hair for your shower or once you were clean? Gym showers are really good enough to be certain you've left everything clean and they're very splashy so those little hairs could end up everywhere

PurpleFlower1983 · 01/07/2022 20:35

Full shower is fine but not the shaving, that’s grim.

FictionalCharacter · 01/07/2022 20:35

I don't see the problem with it. Surely all the bits get washed down the plughole?

countrylifer · 01/07/2022 20:36

Given how much hair seems to come out of my head every time I wash it, I can't see that shaving tiny amounts of stubble from my legs would be that different? At least stubble goes down the plug hole rather than clogging it up. But I never go to the gym so this is purely theoretical

Penguinsaregreat · 01/07/2022 20:36

I think shaving there is grim.
Everything else is ok.

pedropony76 · 01/07/2022 20:37

That’s absolutely foul.

This is why I’ve never used showers in the gym. You’re shaving in public showers and you think that’s okay? Bye

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:37

I can't see why it's a problem if you hose down the shower and make sure
Nothing is left behind 🤷🏼‍♀️

Clymene · 01/07/2022 20:38

God it's revolting to shave in a gym shower. Wash your hair, fine but expecting cleaners to pick your hairs out of the shower trap is grim and skanky.

Mally100 · 01/07/2022 20:38

I would never shower in public showers. People pee there as well. It is grim to shave, absolutely grim.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 01/07/2022 20:38

It’s really not disgusting to shower and shave at your local gym, ffs it all goes down the same waste system, get a grip people!

girlmom21 · 01/07/2022 20:38

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:37

I can't see why it's a problem if you hose down the shower and make sure
Nothing is left behind 🤷🏼‍♀️

What gym have you ever been to where there's an option to hose the shower down?

Original poster
rahjama · 01/07/2022 20:39

Yes all the bits get washed down the drain, I make sure of that.

I don't leave a little pile there for someone else to find

OP posts:
dolphinsarentcommon · 01/07/2022 20:39

Surely unless OP only shaves once every 6 months the bits of hair will be tiny and will wash down the plug. More chance of long wet head hairs being in the shower (which I hate).

abblie · 01/07/2022 20:40

rahjama · 01/07/2022 20:32

I didn't realise it was so disgusting BlushConfused

I don't think its disgusting do what you want you pay for the membership and I'm sure your gym cleans the showers regularly

It would be a bit gross if you left your hairs there but if you wash them shave away

dudsville · 01/07/2022 20:42

I don't use public showers, but I'm surprised shaving is considered gross. Hairs will fall off the body from washing, both head and also pubic. Hair from shaving is tiny. I don't get why leg hair is the villain. I could see why public venues might not want razors to be brought in though.