Locker Room Etiquette - the clothed, the ones that hide and the ones that let it all hang out!

As I'm 4 weeks into my workout program and 7 pounds lighter, I've been spending 5-6 mornings a week at my local gym.  The last time I really did the whole gym thing was in college, and we had very private areas to get dressed and showered in.  At my current gym though, it's basically one large locker room area, the shower areas, bathrooms, and then the mirrors/hairdryers/hairspray areas. 

I'm one of those that has a life outside the gym, and since I've done 45 minutes of weights and 30 minutes of cardio, I really need to do a quick shower and get out of the place!  What I've noticed is that there are women, usually in the 40-55 demographic that literally spend upwards of 2 hours in the locker rooms.... and 9 times out of ten they are there for those 2 hours completely nude. 

I'm not a prude.  I don't hide in the stalls to undress or anything.  I simply shower, grab my towel, head to my locker drop my towel for maybe 20 seconds!!, get dressed in a tank and jeans, head to the hairdryers in this outfit, get makeup on, go back to my locker put on my blouse and leave! 

Why do women think it's perfectly ok to be hanging out all nude (it's fine for them, but personally I don't think 99 percent of the ladies want to see them!) why putting on lotion and makeup in the common areas?  Would it be too much inconvenience to put on bras/undies or a towel?  Why do people put their feet up on the counters and shave their toes?  Lotion up like its a sex scene from a movie? 

Anyway, I'm not ashamed of nudity, but I personally don't want to see it in a locker room's makeup area.  I'm perfectly fine if someone is naked for a moment while they get dressed, but I think it's bizarre when it's so excessive and ladies are watching tv in the lounge nude and in the room for hours (they're there when I check-in and still naked 1hr+ later when I'm in the shower!).

I once saw one of these naked ladies outside the gym when I was at the Mall, and I told my friend it was the Naked Lady and she agreed, and said her gym was the same way.  I know people here will say it's all my problem and I need to get over it, but it's a pet peeve of mine. 

I've also been to the Y but not for myself.  I've been there for my daughter's swim classes...to help her change and whatnot.  I have only seen the lounge around naked type once.  Maybe the Y doesn't have it as much because there are more kids around??  That's my thought on it. 

On a similar note...the Y and nakedness...because it seems that moms are the ones that take the kids to these classes more often than not...what did bother me was when moms bring in their sons into the women's locker area, have him in his buff and not seek some sort of privacy.  Yup, that was a conversation I did not want to have with my daughter in a women's locker room.  Not only because of his nakedness and body parts but explaining that no, it really isn't OK [for her] to bare all in front of the opposite sex.

YES, I totally agree.  That's another No-no for Proper Locker Room Etiquette.  No boys over the age of 3 should be in there.  Most if not ALL gyms have Family Locker Room spaces and that's where Moms and Sons should be.  Also, in my gym's locker there is an area for Moms and young daughter's (and sons under 3) to change in.  It's actually quite large and roomy, and there are nice chairs.  But again, each day I see 3-5 Moms with kids in the ADULTS ONLY area.  It's not my place to educate them on where they actually should be changing, and time and time again I see the Staff walk by these groups and say nothing.  It's very upsetting.  I have paid $10 an hour to have my children watched by a babysitter so I can have a few moments to myself at my gym, or pay for the kids club to watch my kids, and I think it's disrespectful for these Moms to think that everyone loves having kids around in the gym.  Go where you are supposed to go, so I don't have to hear kids wining.  Ugh.

FYI, type in "locker room etiquette" in a Google search and the #1 link is from a Best Of Craig's List on this topic.

It's hysterical but at the same time disturbing as people act like that. I tried to link it in this post, but it gave me an error message, so you'll just have to do the search! I think it's from Portland, Oregon from last year.

Original Post by mrneville:

I don't think the issue here is who, in the opinion of others, is worthy of wearing one garment over another (or being naked in public). I think the real issue here is the following:

"Well most all of the guys I know and talked to about it would rather eat lead than wear a speedo...because they associate it with being "gay" or they don't like that their junk hangs out. Or they feel like a female since it is so tight."

At some point in time, and it was in the last 15 - 20 years, the younger generation, surprisingly, stopped looking at breaking out of the conventions of their parents and became terribly ashamed, homophobic and sexist over the appearance of their bodies.

That huge gut on a man or woman is a health issue, not a social issue. There is no other culture or place in the world (except fundamentalist societies) where the dominant attitudes about clothing and bodies are so absolutely hostile and angry in their expression.

While I tend to agree with you regarding young men (we were told never to do a publicity shot with our boys in speedo briefs -- as it might scare away potential new swimmers), social opinions often lead the way with fashion trends -- and as long as men care about the opinion of women (and other men in some cases), those opinions count.  Rarely will a women say -- "oh, I don't think he has the body for a brief swim suit", no, it is usually -"ew, look at that guy in a speedo, how gross".  If you are man with that woman, you will (probably) never think about putting on a speedo -- regardless of how great your body is, or is not.  Even if that is what you grew up wearing.  The statement was probably made due to a perceived body flaw

The tide is turning back towards the brief as a training suit, I don't think it will ever return as a basic recreation suit.

It is interesting that while younger generation boys/men will balk at wearing a speedo, younger generation girls/women are going out of their way to expose more and more of their bodies in public (but not in the locker rooms, apparently).  Just an observation

And that's the end of my thread hijack -- sorry

I accidentally walked into the gym partially naked out of the locker room 3 days ago, it wasn't until I had already performed 3 sets apiece of leg abduction/adduction machine, stiff-legged deadlifts, and hyperextensions that I realized I wasn't wearing any pants or drawers.....

Original Post by gary_dubois:

I accidentally walked into the gym partially naked out of the locker room 3 days ago, it wasn't until I had already performed 3 sets apiece of leg abduction/adduction machine, stiff-legged deadlifts, and hyperextensions that I realized I wasn't wearing any pants or drawers.....

LOL! I know you're joking, but if it were true, I'd actually not have much of a problem with it, as it would be funny. It's apples and oranges. The large weight room has adequate room for one to simply move away from any person that smells, isn't appropriatley dressed, or otherwise. In the close quarters of the locker room there's no escaping women who don't groom their privates and choose to be bouncing around the space.

Why is it that I always TRY and select a locker that seems to be quiet and nobody is using surrounding lockers, but the minute I'm done with my workout, there seems to be several people who have selected a locker around mine? I mean, come on, if you see 100's of available lockers and then ONE IN USE, wouldn't the "normal person" select a locker that's not next to the only one, that has the lock engaged?

It reminds me of the parking lot at a shopping center. You know you have a new car and choose to park very far away to avoid door dings and all the idiots who've parked their cars over the line, then when you return to your car where it was all by it's lonesome, there's one jerk who has decided to park right next to you and not give you any room to open your door, even though there are hundreds of open car spaces.

Original Post by mrneville:

I don't think the issue here is who, in the opinion of others, is worthy of wearing one garment over another (or being naked in public).  I think the real issue here is the following:

"Well most  all of the guys I know and talked to about it would rather eat lead than wear a speedo...because they associate it with being "gay" or they don't like that their junk hangs out. Or they feel like a female since it is so tight."

At some point in time, and it was in the last 15 - 20 years, the younger generation, surprisingly, stopped looking at breaking out of the conventions of their parents and became terribly ashamed, homophobic and sexist over the appearance of their bodies. 

That huge gut on a man or woman is a health issue, not a social issue.  There is no other culture or place in the world (except fundamentalist societies) where the dominant attitudes about clothing and bodies are so absolutely hostile and angry in their expression.

 Well the way the younger generation is, it's not so much as weight, it's how you carry yourself and what you wear at your weight. Even the less judgemental people aren't fond of people who wear clothes that are too tight, and yes I think all of us are guilty of that :/

I was listening to the radio the other day talking about how they were trying to bring short shorts back (for dudes running) and to which the MEN (not even the women) complained how "gay" it was to show off the legs (for men). So I understand your point, though I don't think we're homophobic, as much as we are way less politically correct. (edit: changed phrase) Polls have shown that younger people actually are more open to homosexuality than their parents, and we're more accepting.

Oh geez betsey they dont groom their privates??? ok thats gross

Original Post by misspriss316:

Oh geez betsey they dont groom their privates??? ok thats gross

Yes, for some reason or another MOST of the Nudies at my gym are the Cavewoman types who have never heard of a Brazilian Wax and so you have this situation where you are not only seeing nakedness of flesh, but, well, you know... you see it all.

I love it when these people, the BushWomen as I call them, like to strike up a conversation. It's always doubly amusing if say they are your children's teachers, or neighbors, etc. I really don't care to talk about my child's report card with you Ms. BushWoman. Then I think, maybe I'll get this lady a nice present like the Ultra Gillette Womans Razor set for her Christmas present this year.

I've also seen the BushWomen use the hairdryer to.... well.....  dry their hair in all areas. Great, now we have bush hair flying in the makeup/hairdryer room.

lolz as for guy locker rooms we dont dare to put anything we plan on keeping on the floor (atleast where i am) all the gyms iv been to no one lingers in the locker rooms, once in awhile  (guilty myself) of being nude while changing and having a convo at the same time with my workout buddy or a friend i happen to see. But no one hangs out in there. It may be that because when guys go to the gym they either have pure intentions of working out and checking out girls (yet again guilty) and neither of those you can do in the guys locker room.  Now to add another subject to locker rooms, it probably mostly applies to guys but, what do u think about when people stand infront of a mirror and flex for extended periods of time. Its perfectly fine to flex your arm or or other muscle that you worked out, but when they stand there checking every part... thats my pet peeve

wow. i had no idea this was even a topic for much thought. 'bush women'? i am afraid i am not very social and don't even spend time noticing people so i suppose the bush women exist ~lol~ but i can't recall seeing them.

the women who are fully nude and in a chatting gaggle for an hour are annoying, but i figure i am in and out of there because i have a life - and guess that they don't have one. heh heh

i am not a hider (was for a bit in middle school) but ya, the super tanned pilates queen waspish yakker types are quite annoying.

people should never be hung up on this - men are not as bad even though it works behind a veil of homophobia or whatever - maybe girls should take hint. but then... i go camping fishing or sailing with male friends and it is not a big thing when adult women change in front of adult men, or any combination... whatever. change time is not really convo time, but it is also no big thing.

So have they at least heard of a bikini wax?? Do they think that guys (or people in general) find hair popping out the swimsuit attractive?

I use the hand dryer to dry my hair...on my head...lol

that would be awkward, I had a teacher in middle school (PE) who would get completely naked and take a shower while everyone else showered in a swimsuit. And she would try and have conversations with a bunch of 12-13 year old girls and SHE didn't shave and I still remember that today!!!!

Wrong.

"what do u think about when people stand infront of a mirror and flex for extended periods of time. Its perfectly fine to flex your arm or or other muscle that you worked out, but when they stand there checking every part... thats my pet peeve"

Yeah, I'd rank those douchebags right up there with the dudes who scream at the top of their lungs when performing each repitition. It's been scientifically proven that the extra yelling when performing a rep doesn't assist the lift, just helps to accomplish a sore throat and idiocy...

...and don't get me started on those lops who like to allow their dumbbells to crash down to the floor with full force after performing a set of db bench presses

Original Post by misspriss316:

that would be awkward, I had a teacher in middle school (PE) who would get completely naked and take a shower while everyone else showered in a swimsuit. And she would try and have conversations with a bunch of 12-13 year old girls and SHE didn't shave and I still remember that today!!!!

Wrong.

 How did this women not get sued or fired for indecent exposure! Isnt this inappropriate behaviour in a school setting???