Proper Gym Locker room etiquette

[rareboy]

I'm sure that ninja has some piquant tales to tell.

 

[G-Lexington]

I've run into this type of thing here and there. These are my thoughts.

I'm here to workout. Then shower, get dressed, and go home. I'm assuming nobody's interested in checking me out, and even if they are, I'm not overly interested in putting on a show. I'm flattered if somebody wants to look, but I'm not going to extend the show for them.

So after the workout, I'd kick off the sweaty clothes, wrap a towel around my waist, and head to the showers. When I reach the place to hang up the towel, I'd take it off and hang it up. I'd start the shower, test the temperature, and then step in. If there's a curtain for privacy, I'll pull it. If there isn't, well, I wouldn't. In each case, I'll focus on showering. Then when I'm done, I'll towel off. If due to the placement of things, this means being in full view, fine - I'm in full view while I towel off. Once done, I'll go back to the locker, open it up, drop the towel, and get dressed. If someone wants to look, they're welcome, but again, I'm not putting on a show - I'm getting dressed after my workout.

As for the gym itself, you might talk to a trainer. Just because a gym doesn't have "first-class" or "state-of-the-art" equipment doesn't mean you can't get a great workout on it. Just ask. "I'm not familiar with some of this equipment - can you show me what they're for?"

Lex

 

[dscottsw]

I've run into this type of thing here and there. These are my thoughts....
I'm here to workout. Then shower, get dressed, and go home. As for the gym itself, you might talk to a trainer. Just because a gym doesn't have "first-class" or "state-of-the-art" equipment doesn't mean you can't get a great workout on it. Just ask. "I'm not familiar with some of this equipment - can you show me what they're for?"

Lex

Spoken like a true gentleman. (A dying breed I'm afraid). First class, excellent advice. IMHO this is the definitive statement on locker room etiquette.

 

[Kulindahr]

At OSU not many guys wrapped a towel around the waist; the most common thing was carrying it casually in front of you.

But there are always going to be strange reactions no matter what you do, common showers or not. I remember a guy in our house who got up tight when anyone even faced him when naked in the showers -- we all had to leave an empty shower between him and anyone else, or he'd freak.

I say decide what you're comfortable with, and go with it. If you're like on of the guys in the house who'd walk the hall back from the shower with his towel over his shoulder, saying hi to anyone who came along, be yourself, or if you're the guy who always showered with a speedo on, be yourself. Let the rest of them adjust to you -- after all, it's supposed to be a learning experience.

 

[1091MAC]

I agree with what the first two posts said.

I will also that that it really depens on what you feel comforatble with. I have noticed that the younger guys 30 and younger wrap a towl around their waist when they are walking to the shower. The older guys do not. Maybe its because the older guys don't care as much about how big their penis is in comparison to others.

I have belonged to gyms that have communal showers and others that have individual stalls. To me, it's no big deal either way.

Don't feel bad about asking for help. I think most guys are happy to help.

Good luck!

 

[shea]

You should go to the lockerroom and do what you are comfortable
with, without going to extremes. Just relax and enjoy, that is what
I have always done and it works for me.
shea

 

[Kulindahr]

I have noticed that the younger guys 30 and younger wrap a towl around their waist when they are walking to the shower. The older guys do not. Maybe its because the older guys don't care as much about how big their penis is in comparison to others.

My hypothesis has always been that society has been developing a growing level of nudophobia linked with homophobia. Just about every guy I've ever met who is uptight about being seen naked has been markedly homophobic, in the proper sense of fear: fear of being desired, mostly.

 

[G-Lexington]

Didn't mean to make you feel the snob. Again, if the equipment is unfamiliar, ask. If it's in a major state of disrepair, well, don't use it, I guess.

Lex

 

[Críostóir]

People here have given good advice. I second all of it.

Go to the gym to work out, not to hook up. Work out until you're too tired to hook up even if someone hit on you. Magically, you'll find your ability to hook up greatly enhanced!

 

[Corny]

Just don't blow-dry your pubes

 

[Lefty]

As far as the locker room is concerned...nudity should be of no concern assuming they have separate facilities for pointers and setters. Glance around and follow the majority lead. (or what you are comfortable with for you)

Kuli, isn't it possible they could be terrified of not be desired as strongly as they might fear being desired? Rejection always sucks EH?

 

[Red Storm]

I agree with what the first two posts said.

I will also that that it really depens on what you feel comforatble with. I have noticed that the younger guys 30 and younger wrap a towl around their waist when they are walking to the shower. The older guys do not. Maybe its because the older guys don't care as much about how big their penis is in comparison to others.

I have belonged to gyms that have communal showers and others that have individual stalls. To me, it's no big deal either way.

I think the reason the over 30 crowd is more open is because back in school ( elementary/HS etc) it was like that, some schools and gyms since the 90's have started to offer individual stalls, prior to that, I don't recall many at all.

 

[Red Storm]

lol thanks a lot guys!
Btw, didn't mean to come off like a snob the kind of equipment couldn't matter less to me as long as it's clean and usable.

I do what many suggest here, go, change, work out, shower and come home. the equipment is clean ( most of the time), some people don't wipe off after they use some equipment but after a few stares they get it. Broken equipment is always reported at the front desk and they seem to be fairly quick in getting someone to fix it.

 

[Críostóir]

I think the reason the over 30 crowd is more open is because back in school ( elementary/HS etc) it was like that, some schools and gyms since the 90's have started to offer individual stalls, prior to that, I don't recall many at all.

It's also because we're in less danger of having an unexpected erection. The upside of no longer having pre-30 hormone levels is that an erection seldom takes you by surprise. Every guy knows you can get an erection for no reason at all, and every guy thinks no one else knows that and will think he's a fa66ot if he gets one in the locker room.

 

[Red Storm]

It's also because we're in less danger of having an unexpected erection. The upside of no longer having pre-30 hormone levels is that an erection seldom takes you by surprise. Every guy knows you can get an erection for no reason at all, and every guy thinks no one else knows that and will think he's a fa66ot if he gets one in the locker room.

That makes sense.
I keep hearing it was much more open and liberal a few decades ago. My dad always tells me how at the YMCA and swimming @ school, everyone was naked.? I looked into it a while ago and apparently it is true. Things have changed quite a bit since then!.

 

[G-Lexington]

^ That'd eliminate at least 40% of gay erotica.

Lex

 

[Críostóir]

It's kind of like when patients insist on being examined by a doctor of the same gender as their own, or airport passengers insist on being screened by a security agent of the same gender. What if the doctor or the security agent is gay/lesbian? Ha!

I once nearly had a problem when the TSA guy wanding me (lol) asked me to undo my belt. I had to bite my tongue not to say "you're the most attractive man that has asked me to do that in years!"

These days I get wanded and patted down every time I go through security, because parts of me are metal. Fortunately, so far the patter-down has always been quite unattractive. I dread the time when he'll be a sexy hunk! "Sir, what's this hard object in the front of your pants?" "It's not a weapon! I'm just happy to see you."

That would not go over well, I'm guessing.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

People here have given good advice. I second all of it.

Go to the gym to work out, not to hook up. Work out until you're too tired to hook up even if someone hit on you. Magically, you'll find your ability to hook up greatly enhanced!

Absolutely correct. The best hookup opportunities come when you're not looking for them. I'm a big proponent of keeping your towel around your waist. The walking around naked stuff usually falls flat on the observers. The communal showers are fast fading. I kind of recall, a couple of remodels back, when my gym had the open showers, you just kept your back to everyone and ran mathematical equations through your head.

 

[Kulindahr]

According to that reasoning, shouldn't gay and bi men have their own showers and locker rooms as well?

That's actually under discussion for the military,

 

[Kyanimal]

That's actually under discussion for the military,

I know that's currently under discussion, and I find it completely ludicrous!

I mean ... if these guys have gone through their training, should they not be able to defend themselves if need be??

What the hell are they there for in the first place?

As an "advanced" country, we should "fess up", repeal DADT, and admit there have been Gays in our military since it was first started!

As for the locker room etiquette? By comfortable in your own skin. Watch, and learn, what is accepted and respected.

And, while your walking around naked, no matter what ...

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

(They'll be wondering what you're up to, and it'll keep them on their toes! )