Either the coming of Spring drives more of us to the gym, or locker room nudity is just a hot topic, but we’ve noticed a recent surge in searches on this site for locker room etiquette.
What’s appropriate? What’s not? How nude is too nude?
If you’d like to avoid the rabbit hole that is the Google search around this topic (not to mention it’s totally NSFW), we’ve rounded up a few excellent articles below on the subject, which should help set things straight before your next sweat session.
In general, though, locker room etiquette refers to the unwritten rules and guidelines for behaviour in shared changing areas, such as gyms or swimming pools. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Respect privacy: Be mindful of other people’s personal space and privacy. Avoid staring at others or making comments about their bodies.
- Use appropriate attire: Wear appropriate clothing for the setting, such as athletic gear for a gym or swimwear for a pool. Avoid wearing revealing or offensive clothing.
- Clean up after yourself: Keep the locker room clean and tidy by putting away your own belongings and disposing of any trash.
- Be efficient: Don’t hog lockers or benches for longer than necessary. Others may need to use them, so be mindful of the time you spend in one place.
- Respect others’ schedules: Be aware of peak times and avoid taking up too much space during busy periods.
- Avoid loud noises: Keep noise levels down to a minimum, as loud noises can be disruptive to others.
- Be courteous: Offer a friendly greeting or nod to others, and be polite if you need to ask someone to move or share space.
Remember, the locker room is a shared space, and everyone deserves to feel comfortable and respected. By following these guidelines, you can help create a positive and welcoming environment for all. Now, on to our favourite sources on the subject.
The Definitive Guide To Change Room Etiquette
“Be mindful where you put your naked bottom. It’s always preferable for a sweaty bottom to be on a towel than the bare bench…[and] Eating in the changing room is unhygienic, and many gyms have a cafe for this purpose. The changing room should have a transit feeling about it, and lingering is usually discouraged.”
Etiquette in a Women’s Gym Locker Room
“The mirror, hair dryer, counter and lockers are all subject to proper protocol in the women’s locker room. Hogging the mirror, using the hair dryer for an exceptionally long time, having your cosmetics thrown all over the counter or using several lockers at once means that someone else has to do without. Use your fair share, and then make room for the woman next to you.”
Locker Room Beauty Etiquette Every Woman Should Know
“One guaranteed way to get on the bad side of everyone in your spin class? If you ask me, it’s taking over the locker room post-workout and spending 20 minutes shampooing in the shower while there’s a line of seven incredibly exhausted (and now insanely stressed out) women behind you. We’re all in there trying to get appropriate (or a little less pungent) for work, so let’s share the love, but more specifically, the mirror space, shall we?”
Spa Etiquette: To Bare or Not to Bare
“Be careful with how you are positioned/sitting in the waiting room, especially if the robe is small for your body size. Many spas have extra large robes but you’ll need to ask for them specifically…[and] here is the best way to prepare for nearly 99% of all spa nudity possibilities: Undress completely in the locker room, put on a swimsuit, a spa robe and spa slippers. Carry a large towel with you and look around to see what everyone else is wearing and consider following “suit.” Remember: it’s always easier to take something off than it is to find something to put on.”
Women Over 40 DGAF In The Locker Room
“A busy women’s locker room is a blinding sea of marshmallow-soft women with nary a care in the world. Buck-naked women discuss recipes, last night’s Real Housewives episode, and their periods like it’s completely normal to have their headlights exposed. There’s genuine nekkid camaraderie, and for a newbie, it can be headache-inducing trying to keep your eyes from going south of the large, unkempt bush border.”
At the Gym – Locker Room Etiquette
“Eyes up! It’s just a fact of life that no matter how discreet we are in the locker room, eventually we’re going to see each other in various states of undress. The best way to handle it is to always others in the eye and not to let your gaze sweep up and down others’ bodies.”
Behind Closed Doors: Six Locker Room Dos and Don’ts
“Many gyms now have total bans on cell phone use in the locker room, and some even threaten to terminate the memberships of transgressors. It’s not just about the annoyance of overhearing inane conversations—most cell phones today are equipped with cameras, and gyms don’t want anyone snapping unauthorized locker room photos. I’ve never had reason to suspect that anything nefarious was going on in my gym’s locker room, but it’s pretty common to hear women having long, extended conversations with their friends or boyfriends.”
