Nudity in Gym Locker Rooms.

[TinkerbellMama]

I agree that family is different than strangers!

And, yes you make a good point. (even if we are back to the parents bringing children of the opposit sex into changing rooms...)

To me, I don't care if it is the same sex or not... It is basic human nature, like the old "three feet of personal space". I know that there are exceptions, take nudists for example, which I personally find very very odd. Like one poster said, we all wear clothing for a reason.

Yeah, and in this context, it's SHAME. The other option would be protection from the elements, which of course doesn't matter in a locker room.

I think nudists have it right, in the psychological sense. Shame is a bad thing...not to be confused with a sense of guilt, which is quite useful and adaptive. Then again, I am much more comfortable wearing clothing in front of non-family members. I was raised wearing it (outside the home; inside, we were half-nudists, lol) and I do feel, well, NAKED without it! I would be open to checking out a nudist colony, though (although I don't think they call them colonies anymore). And I definitely don't care how naked and for how long anybody is in a locker room. I know, different strokes for different folks...I just wanted to defend nudists, even though I'm not one. I'm with them in spirit, I guess!

And I'm not touching the whole "Adam and Eve/Garden of Eden/snake/apple thing. I don't believe that really happened for a millisecond, so it doesn't enter into my personal assessment of the nudity issue.

 

[declansdad]

I've been swimming at my local YMCA for nearly 20 years and I can't believe the fuss over naked people!!! We've got some people who "wander around naked", but honestly, I'm too busy dealing with my own issues to care. I've got a very limited amount of time from the minute I get out of the pool to when I need to be on the road and I'm just not looking. And yes -there is an amount of time every morning when I was without towel or undergarments. Avert your eyes-God knows I would if I could.

We have an 18 and older locker room and we have occasionally had to remind mothers that they need to go into the children's locker rooms with their little darlings. From what the people with kids tell me, the boys locker room is full of mommies before and after swim lessons. No need to have Junior in with the ladies.

If I had as much trouble with nudity as some folks here seem to, I think I'd stay away from a locker room where I might encounter it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Seriously- I am not telling you to cover up because I have kids with me. (I don't take them to the gym btw) I am telling you to cover up because this is not your personal bathroom and home. Others do not want to see you parading around nude. Change your clothes like a normal person and be on your way. If you want to check for an ingrown hair on your bikini line- do it at home!!!! Do not put your leg up on the bench giving me the same view as your gyno!!!! There is no need for anyone to lounge around nude in a public place and a locker room is a public place - meaning it is not your own home. I mean if a friend stops over your house and you need a quick shower do you strip down and strut your stuff while making coffee? Of course not! So why do think I need to be subjected to having conversations with you while you perform every task on the planet while nude?

 

[DawnCt1]

Seriously- I am not telling you to cover up because I have kids with me. (I don't take them to the gym btw) I am telling you to cover up because this is not your personal bathroom and home. Others do not want to see you parading around nude. Change your clothes like a normal person and be on your way. If you want to check for an ingrown hair on your bikini line- do it at home!!!! Do not put your leg up on the bench giving me the same view as your gyno!!!! There is no need for anyone to lounge around nude in a public place and a locker room is a public place - meaning it is not your own home. I mean if a friend stops over your house and you need a quick shower do you strip down and strut your stuff while making coffee? Of course not! So why do think I need to be subjected to having conversations with you while you perform every task on the planet while nude?

 

[Freyja]

So why do think I need to be subjected to having conversations with you while you perform every task on the planet while nude?

Why couldn´t you just ask the person to tell you all about it later? Or you could just politely tell the individual that you´d prefer to continue the conversation once he or she has her clothes on.

 

[scheddj]

What is the proper time limit on nudity in the locker room?

 

[DawnCt1]

What is the proper time limit on nudity in the locker room?

Less than 3 minutes and then it becomes unnecessary exposure. In a gym with privacy curtains, private changing areas, such as the gym I go, 0 minutes.

 

[NotUrsula]

I get way overheated when I get out of the shower.

Simple solution: cold water. I've heard this reasoning also used as justification for cranking up the AC in a home, and that's unnecessary, too.

Just turn the water back to cool for a few seconds before stepping out of the shower; you won't get sweaty when you dress, your pores will close nicely, and your hair won't break as easily after a cool rinse.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

I've been swimming at my local YMCA for nearly 20 years and I can't believe the fuss over naked people!!! We've got some people who "wander around naked", but honestly, I'm too busy dealing with my own issues to care.

If I had as much trouble with nudity as some folks here seem to, I think I'd stay away from a locker room where I might encounter it.

It is not Human Nature, it is American nature.

The hang-ups about the human body is very much an American thing. Americans tend to be way more prudish than our neighbors across the pond.

Yeah, and in this context, it's SHAME. The other option would be protection from the elements, which of course doesn't matter in a locker room.

I think nudists have it right, in the psychological sense. Shame is a bad thing...not to be confused with a sense of guilt, which is quite useful and adaptive.

I have to say that I agree with the posters above. I've been in many high end spas as well as health clubs where there were many women naked in the changing room, sauna, steam room... as long as they are sitting on a towel who cares?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Why couldn´t you just ask the person to tell you all about it later? Or you could just politely tell the individual that you´d prefer to continue the conversation once he or she has her clothes on.

I guess I could but really, I shouldn't have to say that. I understand in Europe nudity is much different than here but the fact is- this isn't Europe. Seriously though- what could you have to say to a stranger that is so pressing that you must do it nude unless of course you are a paid peep show dancer?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Seriously- I am not telling you to cover up because I have kids with me. (I don't take them to the gym btw) I am telling you to cover up because this is not your personal bathroom and home. Others do not want to see you parading around nude. Change your clothes like a normal person and be on your way. If you want to check for an ingrown hair on your bikini line- do it at home!!!! Do not put your leg up on the bench giving me the same view as your gyno!!!! There is no need for anyone to lounge around nude in a public place and a locker room is a public place - meaning it is not your own home. I mean if a friend stops over your house and you need a quick shower do you strip down and strut your stuff while making coffee? Of course not! So why do think I need to be subjected to having conversations with you while you perform every task on the planet while nude?

A woman after my own heart...

When I hear... "at home I do this and this and ...and... and.. nude..." all I can think is, well, when you are in a public locker/changing area, you are not at home... in the comfort and privacy of your own quarters. I find no valid reasoning or analogy here whatsoever.

I might sing like a banshee in my shower at home... Does that make it appropriate to subject everyone else in a public locker room to such a horrendous and unavoidable experience?

A changing room is just exactly that... a changing room, a room to change.. not a room to remove your clothing and revel in your nakedness.

We are not in Europe where entire extended families live in small flats and where there have often been limited small unisex restrooms, if any at all... It is indeed a separate situation and a separate standard.

So, now, as always expected, we have labels like shame and prude thrown around. Well, that doesn't phase me one bit, I have no shame regarding the human body, just a little modesty and respect. So, words like that just fly right over my head. Non-applicable...

 

[Planogirl]

We all have our comfort levels and there's nothing wrong with that. I feel like if we try to RESPECT each other's feelings then things would be easier for everyone.

For example, lengthy nudity causes some people discomfort. Does seeing dressed people cause anyone discomfort? Logic would say that to avoid discomfort those who like to be nude for extended periods might want to think about dressing a little more quickly or perhaps should really join a nudist colony.

As for Europeans being more comfortable with nudity, this is true as I've seen with my Dutch family members. It's not particularly relevant IMO though because Americans aren't European and haven't reached that level of openness yet.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have to say that I agree with the posters above. I've been in many high end spas as well as health clubs where there were many women naked in the changing room, sauna, steam room... as long as they are sitting on a towel who cares?

Okay- so if I decided to show you my episiotomy scars you would be good with that? I promise to sit on a towel.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay- so if I decided to show you my episiotomy scars you would be good with that? I promise to sit on a towel.

Yep, she can check out your scars while I belt out my rendition of an old Whitney Houston song in the shower right across!!!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Okay- so if I decided to show you my episiotomy scars you would be good with that? I promise to sit on a towel.

Well, everyone in my locker room has a shot at seeing my nice long scar from my breastbone down to below my navel should they be so interested as to look-fine by me. It's my reminder that I didn't have cancer.

I'm not really interested in looking at other people's bodies-even if they are walking around naked. I've survived pretty well in that locker room for a long time without doing it. I'm not really interested in naked women.

 

[Wishing on a star]

see comments below.

We all have our comfort levels and there's nothing wrong with that. I feel like if we try to RESPECT each other's feelings then things would be easier for everyone.

I SO AGREE!

For example, lengthy nudity causes some people discomfort. Does seeing dressed people cause anyone discomfort? Logic would say that to avoid discomfort those who like to be nude for extended periods might want to think about dressing a little more quickly or perhaps should really join a nudist colony.


As for Europeans being more comfortable with nudity, this is true as I've seen with my Dutch family members. It's not particularly relevant IMO though because Americans aren't European and haven't reached that level of openness yet.

Ummmmm, I would have to question which society is more evolved when it comes to public nudity.... As I said, in my previous post.. in many places they live in a culture with very limited personal space and private facilities... Different situation... Different Standard... I am not so sure that either needs to 'evolve' to the other societies standards.

Why would either be considered any better or worse than the other?

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Okay- so if I decided to show you my episiotomy scars you would be good with that? I promise to sit on a towel.

I see now that there is only one proper opinion in this thread. Forgive me for thinking differently.

 

[Loverly]

Less than 3 minutes and then it becomes unnecessary exposure. In a gym with privacy curtains, private changing areas, such as the gym I go, 0 minutes.

Oh please!

I walk, nude from the bench by the showers (where I have placed my towels) to the whirlpool, which is about 20 feet away , in the ladies Locker room/spa at my health club. THis whirlpool is in a glassed area along with 8 showers and the sauna room.

This whirlpool can seat about 20 women. I actually sit in it -

nude!!!

I then get out of it and walk-NUDE_ back to the shower.

I need to time myself to see how long that takes me.

But as I said before-noone under 14 is allowed in our locker area.

 

[Loverly]

I don't want to see you parade around nude blow drying your hair, picking a zit, raising your leg to dry in front of me, and I especially do not want to have a conversation with you!!!! !!!!

Mouse House Mama
Okay- so if I decided to show you my episiotomy scars you would be good with that? I promise to sit on a towel.



Seriously, have you ever been in a Ladies Locker room or gym?
In the very early AM , when I go, all the ladies are in a rush to do their workout, shower, do the hair and makeup & get out of there to go to work, no one pays attention to the length of time anyone is undressed, nude or partially nude.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Oh please!

I walk, nude from the bench by the showers (where I have placed my towels) to the whirlpool, which is about 20 feet away , in the ladies Locker room/spa at my health club. THis whirlpool is in a glassed area along with 8 showers and the sauna room.

This whirlpool can seat about 20 women. I actually sit in it -

nude!!!

I then get out of it and walk-NUDE_ back to the shower.

I need to time myself to see how long that takes me.

But as I said before-noone under 14 is allowed in our locker area.

I sit in the sauna naked-ON my towel of course!! And there are other women in there sometimes and they're naked too!!!

I just don't understand the problem-I don't have trouble NOT looking at other women's bodies. I can hold a conversation and look at someone's face...