To go buff or not to go buff: Dressing room etiquette revisited.

[wildeyed]

I know we have discussed this issue before, but this is a slightly different situation and I wanted some opinions.

Recently I joined a new gym. They have a whirlpool, which I adore. There is no policy posted about nudity in the whirlpool, and I have seen people go both ways, buff and in a bathing suit. I usually choose to go buff. I do not swim, so changing into a bathing suit to sit in the whirlpool for ten minutes seems like an unnecessary effort. Problem is, there is a group of older women who tend to use the whirlpool at the same time I do. I think they are getting out from a water aerobics class. One 'let slip' that some were uncomfortable with my nudity in the whirlpool. Do I either wear a bathing suit or skip the whirlpool, or do I keep going buff? This is an adult women only dressing room, so no issues about corrupting little boys and the like.

[crispini]

1. They have a whirlpool in the dressing room?

Wow. That's pretty cool.

Hm. So what's the overall culture in terms of nudity in the dressing room? Do people tend to be really private and get changed in stalls and suchlike, or do most people tend to change out in the open? You've already said that some people go nude in the whirlpool-- do you think that's some, or half, or what?

I'd tend to ignore the critics, but that's just me. I figure that, at most gyms, the majority of people are OK with nudity in the dressing room -- that is, after all, what it's there for, to get dressed in, so some nakedness is acceptable and appropriate.

Now, I have heard people complain about others who sort of parade around in the nude, and I can sort of buy that -- I mean, I can see wearing a towel if you're going to be drying your hair for 15 minutes, although I don't care much myself. :shrug:

[wildeyed]

3. This dressing room is about in the middle.

You never see anyone walking around naked, but most people don't use the stalls to change in, either. I change on the 'cheap' and usually younger side. The older folks can usually afford to rent a permanent locker. Maybe it is more modest over there.

Honestly, I have only seen one other woman nude in the whirlpool. But I go at a very specific time, late morning, so I usually see the same group of older women. They are actually pretty funny. They all have special shower shoes that they wear into the whirlpool. And most of them duck into the sauna to change out of their good swimming suit into their not-good swimming suit 'cause the whirlpool damages the suit somehow. They never get their hair wet. I guess my naked, non-flip flop wearing self must freak them out a little :shrug:

[crispini]

5. Ooooookay.

Good swimming suits and bad swimming suits, eh? And shower shoes? They sound a little prissy.

I vote they need to learn to live with it. Modern gym etiquette and all. It's 2005, baby, not 1950. :P

[wildeyed]

6. What is it with the shower shoes?

In addition to hanging out in gyms for all of my adult life, I have been a regular guest at some of the skankiest campgrounds in the SE. Never once did I wear shoes in the shower, and only once, maybe 15-20 years ago, did I get athlete's foot. So what is up with those shoes? Is there some reason other than athlete's foot avoidance to wear them? And I often get horrified glances at my feet like I am somehow putting us all at risk. For what, I am not sure..... Maybe it is a Southern thing?

[crispini]

7. Maybe.

I mean, that IS how you get it. I see a few people wearing them at the showers at my yoga studio, but not that many. I used to wear them, but dang, they're such a pain. I probably should, though. :shrug:

[wildeyed]

8. I got one case in 20 years.

I'm going to take my chances. It is easier to buy the cream once a decade or two than it is to haul wet flip flops all over creation. Unless there is something here I am missing and my bare feet really are a serious health hazard :P

[MemphisTiger]

2. If the whirlpool is private so no others except those in your

dressing room can access it then I say go commando. I equate it to a steam room, which gets nude people in all the time. I think of it as just part of the locker room. Perhaps wear a towel while walking over to the whirlpool. Some guys will shave while in the buff, which I find a bit rude because their junk rubs against the shink somtimes, but other than that nude away I say.

[wildeyed]

4. See, that is what I think.

But a battalion of stern grandmothers seem to think otherwise :scared:

I do wear a towel whenever I am in transition. I am fine with that. But it seems silly to pack a suit, change into it, dry it out, take it home and wash it all for 10 minutes of whirlpool bliss.