For using the family changing rooms

[WildBalonz]

My local gym and swimming complex has recently had the ‘brilliant’ idea to take away the separate men and womens changing room and make it one bigger unisex changing room. There is a half wall that goes a bit through the middle that we assume is meant to keep it somewhat separate but I can tell you it doesn’t do that.
After complaining to the staff and asking why they have done that they explained that it has been done in several locations on a 6 month trial and if it’s successful and feedback is good they will convert all branches to unisex changing rooms. We made sure to let them know our thoughts and that it is definitely not something we would like. And if we hadn’t signed up for the year we would not be returning.

Me and two other friends go there together on a regular basis as it’s the best value complex in our area. However now that it’s been changed to a unisex changing room me and one friend have been using the family changing room because we are not comfortable changing/showering in the unisex one. My other friend on the other hand is continuing to use the unisex one and has said we shouldn’t be using the family one and that is unfair on the families who need to use it because it’s not that big etc. Normally I wouldn’t do that ofcourse but I think given the circumstances it’s ok? Are we ok to be using the family one or is my friend right and we are being unreasonable to not want to use the unisex one.

I think if there are no families wanting to use it it’s ok but if you’ve got a family waiting then it’s not ok.

You really need to keep complaining to the company. Even unisex should have some cubicles not everyone wants to get naked in front of others same sex or not.

Perfect answer!

The family change is for families, so unless you only go at times when there's likely to be no/few people needing it (e.g. adult only sessions) you probably shouldn't. There are surely other individual cubicles within the unisex area?

I’d use whatever you feel comfortable with. Given your description I’d be using the family one with my friend.

Are there no cubicles in the unisex one? A lot of ours are going unisex but lots of cubicles and you are supposed to keep swimsuits on in the showers and shared area.

Just change discretely/under a towel or cancel your membership.

As someone single with young kids, those family rooms are really necessary for us and I would be annoyed if two adults were using it when it’s designated for families.

Just because your facilities no longer suit your preferences doesn’t entitle you to use facilities specifically designated for other specific groups of people.

I appreciate your predicament however there are usually limited family changing rooms as it is, without them being used by others who don’t need them.

Surely the unisex have individual changing rooms? What's the issue? You're not changing directly in front of the opposite sex.

I’m confused. They literally made a big open plan changing room where people are expected to shower and change clothes and made it unisex? Wtf kind of stupid idea is that? They are going to lose all their customers and change their minds very quickly. Complain and they might change their minds faster. Better yet, get some men to complain. Because sadly many people don’t give a shit if women feel uncomfortable.

We do try and time it so when we go it’s either early morning or late evening so not often there is families there but sometimes there are unfortunately.

Trust me all 3 of us have complained and left our feedback and I’m sure others have too. We just can’t believe they would do this as a trial without notice. There was a sign that said they would be opening up a unisex changing room however it said nothing about closing the usual changing rooms. there is only 2 cubicles one each side of the half wall however as you can imagine they are almost constantly occupied. There is absolutely no segregation or anything in the shower area!!

I’d change in the facilities I feel comfortable with. Fuck the signage.

Are there cubicles? If so what is wrong with unisex? Only last week on here there was a thread about boys using female changing at 12, these leisure centres really can’t win, someone always has a problem. I find unisex changing is fine as long as there are decent cubicles ideally with doors not curtains

Even in single sex changing rooms most have at least one cubicle for privacy. Do they not even have that?

What gym chain is it because if this is likely to happen long term they need to be communicating it before people commit to a contract (obviously I know they won’t do public feedback is important)

There is 2 small cubicles on each side of the half wall. However they are usually occupied so unfortunately there isn’t much of a choice

So I’ve seen lots of showers in public pools that are not segregated but the rule is strictly that swimsuits stay on. It’s a pain and makes for quite ineffective showers after swimming in chlorine but it’s better than not showering at all and it probably solves a huge number of issues in terms of staffing (cleaners, security, pool attendants) and could be seen as safer. But pools with that set up usually have exclusively individual and family cubicles and no open plan area unisex where people might be undressed.

Have you paid the year upfront? I would be cancelling and sending a strongly worded letter to head office to explain why and you won’t be paying the rest of the year!!!

Cubicles in the unisex area will stop other people seeing you undress but it won’t stop you being exposed to other people undressing.

I think use the family cubicle if there are no families waiting, if there are then complain to the management, every single time

I’d be using the family changing rooms if another cubicle wasn’t available. I’m not getting changed in front of men.

Our local pool has unisex changing rooms but it’s all-cubicle and you keep your swimming costume on in the shower. That’s fine. But open-plan, no.

Unisex should be all cubicles, maybe showers used with swimming gear kept on, but nobody should be stripping off in an open "unisex" space. Personally I'd be complaining and demanding a refund for the remainder of the year, then sign up elsewhere.

Surely the family changing room is likely to have men in it. Dads are bound to take their children swimming.

Oh hold on, I voted YABU because I thought you shouldn’t subject children to a mixed adult changing room. However, I assumed the mixed changing room had closed door changing areas? You’re saying you have to get changed in an open room with members of the opposite sex?!? If so, I apologise, I change my vote!!

You’re supposed to shower in swimming wear and use cubicles for changing in unisex rooms. Then you come out of the cubicle fully changed and place your stuff in the lockers. A lot of swimming pools have unisex changing for a long time, I never saw anyone stripping naked in them.

What is the point in avoiding unisex changing to go in to family changing? What's the point of this post? I do suspect it is just another attempt at getting a gender critical debate going, I'm sure you know how popular they are OP, you could be trending in no time.
Anyway, back to the changing rooms. Are men not also in the family changing rooms??? Why is that okay but unisex isn't?

I had assumed the family changing room was basically a big cubicle - all the ones I’ve seen have been. If that’s also open plan, then no difference to the main one and I’d be changing in the toilets!

There is only 4 cubicles 2 on each side of the half wall. They clearly didn’t think that part through but there isn’t much other option apart from changing in the open arear