Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've been thinking about joining a gym for a while. There are many near me, the closest being a women's only gym. For me that is very attractive... I really don't feel comfortable about exercising in front of men and being scrutinised or chatted up by them. So I've signed up for a free week starting on Thursday.

I am PETRIFIED.

For the most part I believe I will pass. Even in leotards I can tuck my Itsy-Bitsy-Teenie-Weenie right out of sight. Pretty sure I can figure out how to fix my "hair" so it doesn't fall off mid calisthenics. Still... this is like the ultimate public interaction test. I have no idea what their policy is on transwomen. Even though I've never had a problem using public ladies loos Ifor the last 13 months I'm very unsure about the locker rooms...it is quite a different space, lots of chatting and very different privacy boundaries... so I think I'll avoid it unless completely necessary.

I AM petrified...but I'm going on Thursday in my gym clothes to... do whatever!

Good luck and enjoy Grace :)  I never belonged to a gym, but I did do Tai Chi and Tang Sou Dao Karate for a while.  I was never a leotards type of person and always wore loose Tai Chi pants so hiding wart was never an issue for me.

Yeah, I'm very unsure what to wear. I have a few sporty things...some tights and some loose pants, sports bra and sports singlet...so why do I feel I have nothing to wear!! ;D

I belonged to a gym many years ago, it was quite beneficial for my overall fitness. I'm joining because Ive put on about 5kg/10lb this last couple of months and don't feel like I'm getting enough exercise. Strangely the extra weight hasn't contributed to tighter clothes although I feel I'm filling out in all the right places like bust and butt! Would love to lose an inch or two around my waist/off my tum.

I hate platitudes ... but I guess ''you won't know if you don't go''!

*groans inside*

This is true!

The fourth time I ever went out as Grace, beginning of last year, was to a friend's art show. I was my first non-trans themed social outing. Got to the venue and saw all the people inside and I was crapping myself with sheer terror. I really considered just going home, it would have been so much "easier" but at the same time I knew I would beat myself up about it for weeks afterwards. So after about two minutes back and forth I went in... and ended up having a great night. Admittedly I needed to get a glass of red wine in me to calm down but after that I was good. Chatted with strangers - one woman had me bailed up talking about all sorts of things and afterwards I went out for dinner with my friend, her girlfriend and several of their gal pals. And I would have missed out on all that if I'd turned tail and left even before I got started.

So yeah... same with this gym!

Grace, I think you will find this challenge no different than any other. Once you complete it you will find that your proud of yourself for being able to do it. I faced this challenge early in the year and was most scared of using the ladies locker room. Turns out nothing was different than anywhere else. I was even complemented one day early on by the girl next to me in the locker room about my workout bottoms.You might want to try a time of day that it isn't as busy for your first time. It can make it much less stressful and allow you to concentrate on the workout. Good luck and hugs
Mariah

Please try to enjoy the experience.

You paid your money. You DESERVE to be there. March in like you own the place!

Quote from: Mariah2014 on May 05, 2015, 06:10:41 AM
I was even complemented one day early on by the girl next to me in the locker room about my workout bottoms.

I think it's the chatty nature of locker rooms that has me the most freaked. Going to toilets has never bothered me much since I don't talk in there anyway. My voice is "passable enough" in that it doesn't really sound overly male... but in a female only area I'm somewhat self conscious of it. Transitioned for 13 months and it's still my confidence achilles heel even though face to face I never seem to have an issue. :-\

Quote from: Mariah2014 on May 05, 2015, 06:10:41 AM
You might want to try a time of day that it isn't as busy for your first time.

Oh yes, that's definitely the plan. I'm going to drop in for my "induction" after the morning peak hour!!

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 05, 2015, 06:13:52 AM
You paid your money. You DESERVE to be there. March in like you own the place!

Fortunately it's a one week free try out - no obligations. If it goes pear shaped in that time I won't have lost anything except maybe my dignity! But yes, I definitely believe I deserve to be there. Where else could I go anyway...

I hope your trial week goes well!

Maybe research the gym's policies online so you know what to expect?

I've been a member of the same gym pre, during and post transition. The girls locker room is more chatty, but it is common for some girls to keep their knickers on while changing or go to the loo to change undies. So that shouldn't be an issue. As for wigs, I (fortunately) don't have that issue but I know our friend Catherine uses tape to keep herself safe and she goes swimming in her wig and on one memorable day on the Manly ferry it was blowing a gale, we were on deck and she had no accidental revelation!

From what some of the PTs have said I think I'm the only transwomen at my gym. I hire a female PT everynow and again for upgrading my routine and they have been as friendly as can be.

It is like everything we do Sis, look it in the eye, smile, and just be proud and be yourself.

I have nothing to apologise for being trans and neither do you.

Hiya,

I know what you mean about more exercise.........!

I've been to the same (mixed) gym/pool/classes place on and off for about 10 years. I've gone as Ros about 4 times......I've only used the changing rooms to drop my bag in, and take my bag out. No issues, but I do need to start going a few more times. Arriving at 5.30/6 will be interesting. I know that some of the trainers are quite aware of my status. I think I may take Cindy's option and have a few PT sessions. I suspect that being seen training with the gym staff sends out a positive message that we are just the same as any other gym user.

I hope it all goes well Grace, and that you get the results you're looking for.

Ros

Hey good luck, sure you'll have no problems and you'll enjoy it...

I've been away from exercise for a few months; home gym, walking and bike riding; now starting to miss it...

Of course Once started can become an obsession, I was almost one many years ago!!!!

L Katy  :-*

why not call them an see if they have a policy on transgender, they won't know it's you and at least you'll know one way or the other.

Hiya Grace

You have some serious guts with this endeavour, girl.  Hats off to ya! 

Speaking as someone who has positively launched herself at everything, I totally drew the line at going to the gym until after SRS.

Just go for it - in the best, and most probable case you'll make some new friends.  In the worst case you won't go to that gym again.  Who cares!

Hugs
Julia

Be sure to post any links to any newstories that may come about due to your foray into the gym.     :P

Out as trans or not, fifty bucks says they will still want your money.  Funny thing, nobody has ever turned my money away.

And Cindy nailed it, there's nothing to apologize for. 

I'm sure you'll be fine. ^_^ Some times you have to push your comfort zone to know if you can handle it or not. I know I'll be in your shoes soon, I'm moving after I'm done with school (2moreweeksohgoitssoclose) and once I get moved in with my boyfriend he wants me to go to his gym with him, which I think is a good idea, but I'm suuuuper nervous. I think the only way I would feel more exposed then at a gym would be at a pool. But I have to work up to that eventually, right? Besides, you pass so well I doubt they'd ever know if you don't strip down in the locker room.

Thanks ladies...one thing about this journey is that it sure comes with a lot of challenges to one's comfort zone! Will report back after tomorrow!

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 05, 2015, 05:55:46 PM
Thanks ladies...one thing about this journey is that it sure comes with a lot of challenges to one's comfort zone! Will report back after tomorrow!

pictures

Ha! Maybe not. ;D

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 05, 2015, 05:55:12 AM
Got to the venue and saw all the people inside and I was crapping myself with sheer terror.

I've always done this when going to parties or events and found the best thing to do is just walk in and wade into the crowd (then run for the nearest corner screaming in terror and hide under a table or something... well that's what I want to do anyway) most of the time I end up having a good time and meet nice people but I never feel totally comfortable.

the gym is the same way just go in like you own the place (well you sort of do) and do your thing as long as your covered below no one will look at you twice (unless they are interested)

This isnt quite the same but  my experience getting pedies and manies , most women are fine and  will accept you.
Of course there is a bitch in every crowd,and Im sure you have dealt with them before. Im sure you will be telling us how you worried over nothing  Yours is an endeavor I also want to conquer, when I get bigger breasts physically and figuratively ....

just get a bikini on and jump in the pool . they're never notice unless you bring your pet crocodile

This is no different than the first time you screwed up your courage and stepped outside as Grace, or the first time you ventured into the ladies room. Be confident and own it; you deserve to be in there just as much as any other woman. Its just another stepping stone.

As far as the voice goes - my voice is somewhere between male and female and depending on things such as my allergies and how tired I am it can tend toward the male end of things in spite of my efforts to keep the pitch raised. I realized that women are accepting even when they work out who I am via my voice and I stopped worrying about it dropping unexpectedly or resonating in the ladies room. I know that people eventually work out who I am and it doesn't seem to bother anyone because in all other aspects I act like a proper woman; therefore I get a pass on the sketchy voice. Just be your nice, thoughtful, chatty self around other woman and you'll be fine.

As far as the dressing room - come dressed for working out and avoid the dressing room and shower when you get back home - problem solved.

''Out of the frying pan, into another frying pan ...''

Neil - The Young Ones

To help keep my wig on, I've grown my hair out some, and I use bobby pins -- one at each temple, and two in the back, one out at each side. I've never had it come off skating, except for that one awkward slam where I was bombing a hill, and my wig wasn't pinned to my hair.

Gosh, I hope your gym is rad, and you're fully accepted there. I'm still super nervous when I have to use the bathroom!

Quote from: brie33 on May 05, 2015, 11:06:44 PM
This isnt quite the same but  my experience getting pedies and manies , most women are fine and  will accept you.
Of course there is a bitch in every crowd,and Im sure you have dealt with them before. Im sure you will be telling us how you worried over nothing  Yours is an endeavor I also want to conquer, when I get bigger breasts physically and figuratively ....

I get those in male mode, polish and all. They just think I'm eccentric.