Should I be scared of the women's locker rooms?

taylornonnac
taylornonnac Posts: 2
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
Hi! I just joined a gym a few days ago, and plan to work out avidly to get back in shape and to feel better about myself.
However, I have never previously been a member of a gym, so the whole experience is new to me. Probably what terrifies me most are the locker rooms... I have read so many horror stories!
Basically I want to be able to use the locker room to rinse off quickly after working out, blow dry my hair (my gym provides blow dryers), quickly apply makeup (takes about 2 minutes for me), and of course change clothes. I know that you are not supposed to linger too long in front of the mirror or really anywhere else that seems to be busy, so of course I know that it is not necessary to do a full beauty routine if the area seems busy, but I would like to if I get the chance.

Should I be this freaked out? Are the locker room really that bad? My gym is in a fairly small city, so there are not that many people frequenting it in the first place so I can't imagine what could really happen.

Are the showers really gross? I have a bit of an issue with showers/bathrooms being super clean, so I honestly don't even want to bother trying to clean myself in a dirty shower.

What are some general tips/guidelines that I should follow?

Also I am not comfortable at ALL being naked in front of other people that I don't even know, so how should I work the towel after the shower issue? Like where do I put it while I'm showering? Also do I go back in the shower stall after I have fetched my clothes to put them on, or is there somewhere else to go?

I know these are kind of ridiculous questions, but I just really like to be informed before I get myself into something!

Replies

  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    I've never had a problem with any of my gyms, as far as the locker rooms go. The showers are always clean (the 'womens' gym had hair straighteners and hairdryers too). There's usually space in the shower stall to put your clothes so you can get dressed in private.

    Hope this helps :)
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    Hi, When I was younger I was super shy and wouldn't shower in a locker room even if it meant getting a big fat F in PE class. As I have gotten older, I have gotten less freaked out. I won't shower in a shower if it doesn't at least have a curtain but I am not so shy that I totally hide out either.
    I am at the Y and have been to a couple other gyms over the years. Most have a place to hang your towel and most have a place to dress in privacy if desired. They have quite a few spots where someone could do their makeup and hair.

    For the most part the showers have been pretty clean. I enjoy my shower time at the Y much more compared to home. I like the luxuary of having privacy away from my son.

    I used to be really uncomfortable dressing around others especially if they were really skinny. I rent my own locker and for the most part I tend to have the whole isle to myself. Good luck. I am sure you will figure it out.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Wow, you are BRAND NEW HERE, and 18yo. Well, let us know how it goes, probably won't be much different than your highschool gym experience, and maybe better, huh?:ohwell:
  • erbell3
    erbell3 Posts: 22 Member
    Be sure and wear flip flops, even in the shower. Women's locker rooms aren't usually bad, but you still have to take precautions to avoid athletes foot and plantars warts. Just remember that no one is super comfortable in that setting, so usually everyone just hurries and doesn't make eye contact lol. And I'm a mom, so again, wear flip flops :)
  • histora
    histora Posts: 287 Member
    I can understand a lot of your nervousness. I think much of it will blow off once you work out a routine and get settled.

    If you can, rent a locker. It is so helpful to have a place to consistently store things and always return to. I don't know what your showers are like, but the showers here at the little gym I go to during the school year is communal, but there are towel racks rigt next to the entrance. That took some time for me to adjust to, as I am a fat mama of three in my thirties and most of the other women there are college girls in at least two sports who fit into one leg of my jeans. I decided I paid just as much as the others for that locker room, and I am going to use it all!

    One thing to understand is that most of the women in the locker room aren't even going to notice you. They are busy being wrapped up in their own lives. You are background noise in their routine.

    Good luck, and enjoy it!
  • jewel22887
    jewel22887 Posts: 72
    I suggest just like in gym class taking flips or shower shoes. My gym showers are clean though I rarely use them as I go to the gym and then home after work. Basically try to be a decent human being and it's not a big deal. I am lucky that I go to the gym during non peak hours so rarely more than 4 people in the locker room.
  • ellew70
    ellew70 Posts: 222 Member
    Honestly I've never had a problem. The only suggestion I have is to get a cheap pair of flip flops to wear to the shower, as sometime there are issues with the floors. Even the cleanest gym can't mop ever 10 min
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    Go for a tour of the gym before you join it and check out the cleanliness of the locker room. Most are not too bad but some are better than others and if this is important to you then have a look before joining.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    I am. You won't believe how they yell at you. :tongue:
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    Why don't you just join a gym that has private shower stalls where you go in and there are essentially 2 little rooms where you shower and then dress after.

    No one cares if you are naked or getting changed. It will seem strange at first, but if you notice, the women don't really care about anyone else in there, they have their own routine they are thinking about. After a bit it is no more awkward than washing your hands in a public restroom.

    I guess I'm unusual in that I don't really care about what other people think of my body. I used to work in a bridal shop and I saw every style of body and it just doesn't phase me to get dressed in front of others.
  • bunbunzee44
    bunbunzee44 Posts: 592 Member
    it's not scary at all :o don't worry about it too much :) you'll get used to it quick
  • karl39x
    karl39x Posts: 586 Member
    I am. You won't believe how they yell at you. :tongue:

    Same here. Yelling is one thing, but calling me a creep and pervert every time I walk in... that's uncalled for.
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    I go home and shower.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Wow, you are BRAND NEW HERE, and 18yo. Well, let us know how it goes, probably won't be much different than your highschool gym experience, and maybe better, huh?:ohwell:

    It's a thousand times better than your school gym experience. :flowerforyou:
    P.S. Bring flip flops for the shower. You don't need to be walking around in all that foot fungus. :sick:
  • Dunkirk
    Dunkirk Posts: 465 Member
    I'm only a 10-15 minute walk from my gym. I go home and shower, it means I don't have to carry a gym bag.
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    Oh to be 18 again and worried about things like this... Shower shoes are a must, but also being comfortable with your body is must - absolutely no one cares if you are dressing, showering or putting on makeup. If you are uncomfortable, just don't engage anyone or look anyone in the eye. Get your business done and go on with your day. Really, you don't need to worry :-)
  • pseudomuffin
    pseudomuffin Posts: 1,058 Member
    Just bring flip flops to wear in the shower and you'll be fine :) Sometimes you'll see a LOT more of other women than you wanted to, but it's usually the nice old ladies with locker room modesty standards from a different era haha. When I was going to the gym a lot in my hometown I usually just kept to myself. Polite smiles and nods with "I don't have time to talk" body language & people will usually leave you be.
  • Colorfan
    Colorfan Posts: 230 Member
    Easiest thing to think about is that everyone else there is doing the same stuff you are. Theyre there to work out, fix themselves up and go home/work/back to life.

    I wouldnt sweat it. I hated the locker rooms back in school because it was all forced on you. Here, its just you and a few other people doing this at their leisure.

    If its anything like my gym (its a 24 hour fitness in the middle of a rather busy neighborhood) the locker room is hardly ever full.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I actually choose to use the "family" locker room for this reason. They have 3 locker rooms at my YMCA--men's, women's and family. When you step into the family locker room you see lockers on either side of the wall....and 8-10 doors. Each door leads to a private room with toilet, shower stall, sink and small changing area. This way families can make sure their kids of all ages are safe, the lady with the husband in the wheelchair can go in and help him change, etc.
  • TamaraKat
    TamaraKat Posts: 533 Member
    Nooo you shouldn't be scared! The one I go to is really clean and tidy; it should be adequate :)
  • mazdauk
    mazdauk Posts: 1,380 Member
    I go home and shower.

    Me to! I very rarely use the gym for classes, and there's no showers at Zumba because its in the school hall. Both are within walking distance so I have some sweats to put on if I might get chilled (if the car is not available) and as soon as I get in I get cleaned up in comfort.

    Our gym did have a couple of changing cubicles where you could wrap in your towel and go to the shower, but I think most poeple did go home. (Or stank :noway: ).
  • TamaraKat
    TamaraKat Posts: 533 Member
    (Or stank :noway: ).

    Made me giggle! THANKS! :)
  • totallydelirious
    totallydelirious Posts: 10
    i don't know what your gym is like, but at my gym at uni people will sit in front of the mirror for like half an hour, i know i can easily be in a shower cubical for like 20mins, and our showers are power showers so most people i know who have a gym membership will shower at the gym rather than at their halls.
    i *hated* the changing rooms for the first couple of months because i felt like i didn't 'belong'. but it was stupid, no-one knows if you're a newbie or not, and most people are busy not making eye contact whilst they get undressed to notice anything, including if it taks you 10mins to blow dry your hair.

    also every gym set up is different, some have cubicals, some have open locker, some have shower cubicles and others more communal showers, so we can't tell you what your gym looks like!

    we have shower cubicles, so i strip to my underwear, wrap a towel round me and take a plastic bag with clean undies to the shower with me, take undies off to shower, dry in the cubical and put clean ones on, and then come out in my undies.

    but THERE ARE SO MANY NAKED PEOPLE. SOOOOO many. all of them!!! like people who will sit drying their hair completely starkers, or who manage to put on bras, tshirt,s jumpers, coats scarves, shoes all before their knickers!!! i don't get that level of nakedness...
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    There's nothing to be scared of, really :laugh:

    Depending on the gym, things can get a little weird but nothing crazy :laugh: As far as the people, they'll be too busy doing their own thing so I wouldn't sweat it.

    I try not to look to closely at anything public that I need to use or I'll become irrational :blushing: So as long as it's not overtly filthy and I'm wearing my flip flops, I'm ok.

    Our gym had those teeny towels that were somewhere btw a hand towel and bath mat size :huh: Those things sucked. You might want to bring your own if your gym offers towel svc. To mop up while you're working out, these are great, but to shower with, not so much :drinker:
  • athenasurrenders
    athenasurrenders Posts: 278 Member
    The two gyms I belonged to had squeaky clean locker rooms. The showers were all private stalls, there were plenty of lockers and there were one or two cubicles if you didn't want to change in the open. There were a few mirrors/blowdryers, I never saw people queuing for them. I think you will be fine.
  • HealthyVitamins
    HealthyVitamins Posts: 432 Member
    Obviously I prefer my own home, but they really aren't too bad.

    The virgin active I went to had hairdryers and was really modern and clean, the only problem for me was that a lot of the cultures in this country don't care about being seen naked so will walk around and let it all hang out. I on the other hand was trying to balance a towel covering my behind while putting on socks, I cannot stand being naked infront of strangers, just because we are all women does not mean you need to cavort your naked self around each other.
  • IronPhyllida
    IronPhyllida Posts: 533 Member
    I am. You won't believe how they yell at you. :tongue:

    Same here. Yelling is one thing, but calling me a creep and pervert every time I walk in... that's uncalled for.
    haha that's hilarious!!
  • oOxXxOo
    oOxXxOo Posts: 75 Member
    I wear thongs in the showers because the idea of catching foot fungus grosses me out. My gym is kinda big and busy.
    Maybe I am coming from the perspective of a woman who has had two children and had multiple students witness both births... but no one gives a crap about what you are doing in there. Most people are pretty friendly and say hey, especially if your a regular and they see you there a lot. I have had people chatting to me when I have been stark naked after swimming but hey that kinda thing doesn't bother me. Probably the weirdest thing I have heard or seen is a regular lady come up and tell me how she got her period during a class.. it was apparently running down her leg. Funnily enough I consider that TMI but some people like to share LOL.

    I would never use a towel from a gym. I always take my own. Take two if you can bother lugging it around.
    My gym has the usual hairdryers and irons but they are always in demand in busier times so probably factor that in if you are requiring those items.

    I would also not use the pump soaps and shampoo and conditioner in the showers.. but that is just me.
  • DeadsAndDoritos
    DeadsAndDoritos Posts: 267 Member
    I am from the UK where showers at the gym are usually private with at least a curtain. I now live in Norway where the showers are communal. No doors or curtains! And they tend to face each other or the door so there is no where to hide. I am horrified by this and usually just go home to shower. One workaround I have figured out is to quickly change into my swimsuit and go for a shower, then steam room, then shower. I still get weird looks for showering in a swimsuit but at least I have the steam room as an excuse (although that only works if the steam room is for men and women, if it's women only you are expected to be naked in there too). Sometimes when the showers are empty I will shower naked but I've only done it once or twice and it feels really brave. :smile:

    What i'm trying to say is, it is not unusual to find it all a bit intimidating but just do what you are comfortable with and don't worry what anyone else thinks.
  • littlebee26
    littlebee26 Posts: 116
    I'm wired differently. I have none of these worries. Now that they are mentioned I'm thinking...."why didn't I worry about that.....thats a valid point". This stuff just doesn't occur to me. Not sure why.
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