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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
MissMaple82 · 01/07/2022 20:42

Yeah its minging, nobody wants to wash with your stubble present!!! Vile and downright rude

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:43

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


Ones where the shower head is adjustable and removable, therefore taking it down from the bracket and hosing around the cubicle.

girlmom21 · 01/07/2022 20:44

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:43

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


Ones where the shower head is adjustable and removable, therefore taking it down from the bracket and hosing around the cubicle.

And what gym is that?

UWhatNow · 01/07/2022 20:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:47

And what gym is that?


Why are you being difficult about something as basic as a shower that has a removable head? My local gym has showers where the head can be taken off the wall.

Mxflamingnoravera · 01/07/2022 20:47

It is not the grim aspect that bothers me but the possibility of blood if you (or anyone else shaving) were to cut yourself. There's a reason it's not considered acceptable and it's blood, HIV and other viruses are carried in blood products. Please don't shave in a public shower.

Roseyleaf · 01/07/2022 20:47

Whilst I'm personally not averse to the idea of people shaving in the gym showers as long as they rinse away the hairs, the thought of someone accidentally cutting themselves there does make me feel uneasy.

girlmom21 · 01/07/2022 20:49

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:47

And what gym is that?


Why are you being difficult about something as basic as a shower that has a removable head? My local gym has showers where the head can be taken off the wall.

Because it sounds like a facility that doesn't exist as you can't name a gym. I've been to various gyms over the years of different standards and none of them have removable hose heads.

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:49

Mxflamingnoravera · 01/07/2022 20:47

It is not the grim aspect that bothers me but the possibility of blood if you (or anyone else shaving) were to cut yourself. There's a reason it's not considered acceptable and it's blood, HIV and other viruses are carried in blood products. Please don't shave in a public shower.

So a woman on her period shouldn't use the gym showers incase blood touches the surface?

daisyjgrey · 01/07/2022 20:50

Men shave at the gym.

God forbid someone should come into contact with an errant lady leg hair. Christ.

girlmom21 · 01/07/2022 20:51

daisyjgrey · 01/07/2022 20:50

Men shave at the gym.

God forbid someone should come into contact with an errant lady leg hair. Christ.

Men shaving at the gym isn't ok either...

WishILivedInThrushGreen · 01/07/2022 20:51

I really wouldn't shave in a public gym.
I couldn't bear standing next to someone doing this next to me.
Similarly, a man shaving in the shower.

Do it at home.

LemonSquash94 · 01/07/2022 20:51

My gym has removable shower heads….

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:51

Because it sounds like a facility that doesn't exist as you can't name a gym. I've been to various gyms over the years of different standards and none of them have removable hose heads.


Don't have to name a gym. It is a facility I have used as I cleaned around the shower before using it myself. I don't need to prove it to some awkward arse on a forum.

Albgo · 01/07/2022 20:51

Public shower as in other people can see you? Or is it in a cubicle? If it's private I don't see the problem. When I wash my hair it goes everywhere (and yes, I tidy it up), I don't see what type of hair it is mattering particularly?

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:52

LemonSquash94 · 01/07/2022 20:51

My gym has removable shower heads….

Better prove it then!!

OchonAgusOchonOh · 01/07/2022 20:52

Personally, I don't see the issue so long as you make sure the shower is left clean.

Your friend seems a bit dramatic. Unless you're yelling to her to pass the razor, her claim to embarrassment is a tad attention seeking.

QuizzlyBear · 01/07/2022 20:53

I shave my legs and pits every day but on the very odd occasions I've been swimming or to a gym I'd shave there instead because that's where I'm showering.

In all honesty the hair removed must be pretty microscopic after 24 hours and I rinse thoroughly - honestly never occurred to me to think it was gross... 😯

LemonSquash94 · 01/07/2022 20:54

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:52

Better prove it then!!

I know… I’m sure taking a photo of the showers would be seen as acceptable 😁

girlmom21 · 01/07/2022 20:54

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:51

Because it sounds like a facility that doesn't exist as you can't name a gym. I've been to various gyms over the years of different standards and none of them have removable hose heads.


Don't have to name a gym. It is a facility I have used as I cleaned around the shower before using it myself. I don't need to prove it to some awkward arse on a forum.

I'm not being awkward. The facility doesn't exist in most gyms. If it does in yours, that's lovely for you. I don't know why naming the gym is such a huge issue but in most gyms it's not an option.

If your gym has cubicles where the bottom is open, it's still grim to spray your mess around. But I'm sure they're completely isolated cubicles Smile

EarringsandLipstick · 01/07/2022 20:55

Friend saw my razor and was mortified that I shave in the public showers.

Friend is correct. Previous gyms I've been a member of have signs up to say no shaving.

It's possibly due to risk of cutting yourself & bleeding, as well as the grossness of body hair being left in a shared shower.

b0wser · 01/07/2022 20:55

I know… I’m sure taking a photo of the showers would be seen as acceptable 😁


I'm obviously lying because I'm not willing to post details of my local gym Grin

myuterusistryingtokillme · 01/07/2022 20:56

Ew no, no-one wants some random stranger's stubble in the shower. That is absolutely gross

XenoBitch · 01/07/2022 20:56

Honestly, the way some of you are going on, it sounds like you are thinking that OP is shaving off 3 inch long pubes and sticking them to the wall.

BashfulClam · 01/07/2022 20:58

Our gym has signs up saying not to do so.