A man in the women's showers!

[Alex_C]

I've just joined a 24 Hour Fitness which I like, but the showers offer basically no privacy. The problem is, I get looks and yesterday even got a suspicious look-over by an older gal even though my rather prominent nipples were pointing right at her at eye level lol.

I figure I don't belong in the men's at least until I've had top surgery, which is years away.

I figure if I get questioned I'll say I'm a serious weightlifter and it's "genetics and vitamins" and they'll assume "vitamins" are steroids but so be it.

The other thing is, gotta stay clean-shaven facially as long as I'm showering with the gals, I do let my pits and legs grow though.

It's a bit of a quandry, I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, anyone else in this situation?

[Miniar]

I love to swim, but I've been unable to go swimming for over a year now because I just can't bring myself to go through the women's locker room.
I've got a good gym just 5 minutes from my house, so in my case, I won't be using their shower facilities. Just walk there, change shoes, do my workout, walk home, shower. Any chance you can do something like that?

[myles]

I am also a 24 hour fitness member. My solution was I just quit using the shower there and would only use the restrooms when I absolutely had too. Even when I had breasts I got stared at (like you) and I felt out of place myself so it wasn't comfortable for me either. Did make things a bit harder especially when I started T and was sweating a lot more. Had to put a towel down on my car seat so I would not get sweat everywhere and would put a sweater over my shirt. Not an option of your on a motorcycle though.
Myles

[Radar]

Just shower when you get home. That's what I've always done. So it's a little gross- who cares. Being on the motorcycle will air you out some anyway.

[Alex_C]

Sigh. That's something I inadvertantly left out .... I don't have a shower here. That's what got me going to a gym in the first place, it's SO nice to work out with all the ideal stuff then shower up.

I know most people do shower at home. Male and female, the vast majority shower at home.

But for me, the shower is as much a part of going to the gym as the weights.

[tekla]

So, given the lack of privacy (which is always less in men's locker rooms than in woman's) would you feel more comfortable and safe in the men's?

[Alex_C]

That's something I've been putting a lot of thought into. Right now, no. That may well change in the future.

[myles]

I know my 24 hour fitness has some stalls that when I did shower a few years ago I would use. Then you can always get dressed in the bathroom stall. Or just do the look straight ahead at the locker in front of you (back to everyone) method and get in and out as quick as possible. And go when there are the least amount of people there.
Myles

[Alex_C]

Yeah I try to just not look at anyone and to be as non-threatening as possible. Get in and out quick etc.

It will be interesting to see how things go over time.

[Silver]

If all else fails, hose yourself off when you get home, lol. Not sure what else to say about it.

SilverFang

[Alex_C]

Yeah I know it may come to that.

On the good side, I got to talk a bit with a cute gal (at least my age maybe older) with a killer body, very nice, and I hope to get to talk to her more.

[Jay]

Shower when you get home no problem then..

Jay

[Alex_C]

As I have to keep repeating, I don't have much of a shower at home.

[myles]

You should be fine in the women's. I wouldn't worry about it until you change your gender on your DL and membership and have had top surgery.  As long as you are ok with it and it doesn't bother you. I got to the point where I just felt way out of place and you may or may not get there. I am going to start at the gym again in a few weeks, still waiting for my chest to heal, and I will just not use anything (have the option to shower a home). I  will switch to the men's and wear a towel around my waist when I am a bit more comfortable,  when scars have gone down a bit.
Myles

[Mister]

Dude, this plan is not going to work.

Testosterone does more than give you facial hair.  It's going to alter your face to look more masculine, your body to tone up in some places and slim down in others, your voice to sound like a man.  You're not going to get away with using a women's locker room for years, top surgery or not. 

[Alex_C]

Yeah I know THAT. I must assume I may not be using the women's showers in 6 months.

The time is coming soon to talk with the staff about this, there may be a "special needs" shower I can retreat to, or the men's showers are on 2 levels, some showers downstairs then the main part upstairs, there may be some fairly private way to shower in the guys' space, in fact I read the Hudson's Guide stuff on this last night, it's pretty exhaustive.

[Jay]

As I have to keep repeating, I don't have much of a shower at home.

Then wash at home... Like Mister said you wont be able to use the showers much longer... You will either have to ask for a separate shower place like you said or don't shower..

Jay

[noxdraconis]

As I have to keep repeating, I don't have much of a shower at home.

Neither of my parents (nor did anybody who lived in their villages) had indoor pluming in the houses that they grew up in, let alone a shower, but they still managed to wash themselves.  You just need a metal tub, a bucket, a source of water, a stove, and soap. 

[Alex_C]

Yeah yeah I know ....

[Jamie-o]

Neither of my parents (nor did anybody who lived in their villages) had indoor pluming in the houses that they grew up in, let alone a shower, but they still managed to wash themselves.  You just need a metal tub, a bucket, a source of water, a stove, and soap.

Or a different apartment.    But really, you can stick to the women's showers.  After all, you are naked. No I.D. needed.  You'll just be taken as a really butt-ugly woman (which might not serve you well with the cutie.)