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?
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?
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
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. :)
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.
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?
That's something I've been putting a lot of thought into. Right now, no. That may well change in the future.
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
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.
If all else fails, hose yourself off when you get home, lol. Not sure what else to say about it.
SilverFang
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.
Shower when you get home no problem then..
Jay
As I have to keep repeating, I don't have much of a shower at home.
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
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.
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.
Quote from: Alex_C on September 11, 2009, 01:37:04 PM
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
Quote from: Alex_C on September 11, 2009, 01:37:04 PM
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.
Yeah yeah I know ....
Quote from: noxdraconis on September 11, 2009, 07:06:03 PM
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.) ;D
So far I come across as just REALLY butch, we'll see how long that lasts. I can always blame things on getting bitten by a radioactive spider...
Quote from: Jamie-o on September 12, 2009, 02:14:50 AM
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.) ;D
There's also the chance that someone will think you're taking anabolic steroids.. and depending on how illegal it is, they might notify the gym and/or the police
That is very true Miniar. Personally Alex I would notify your gym and see if there isn't something you can do..
Jay
They very likely would think that, but I doubt anything would come of it. If gyms started turning away everyone who does steroids, they'd likely go out of business. And the police need evidence beyond, "This chick's real hairy and has lots of muscles." As long as you aren't shooting your T at the gym, or behaving in a way that makes them think you're dealing, there's really not much they can do. However, you might have guys hitting you up for your source. ;)
Actually, I say that in jest, but it's not so far from the truth. I know an FtM who often helps other FtMs with their injections. Apparently he was contacted by a couple of professional athletes to see if he would help them out. (He turned them down.) Evidently, a lot of juicers are turning to Testosterone Cypionate as a less dangerous, and less detectable, alternative to anabolic steroids, and so there is some cross over with the FtM community through those guys who end up going the underground route.
Yes I will eventually have to have a man to man talk with the gym folks. I will also at some point have people think I'm on steroids, no doubt a few think that now - I just went up 20lbs in my bench press yesterday lol.
The cops etc are the least of my worries, as I have a prescription etc.
It could all get very interesting, read about it here first, folks!
I was pretty amazed at how much more I could lift pretty much right away on T. I know I changed my name on my membership pretty easy (but did have to sign something saying I legally changed my name) at 24 hour fitness. Haven't changed my gender yet, but at mine they take a copy of your DL and tape it on your card and since my DL says I am male that will probably take care of that. Overall it's a pretty big gym and they seem to leave people alone, at least at mine. There are plenty of guys at mine on steroids and no one seems to say anything, everyone just does thier own thing.
Happy Working Out!
Myles
thats kinda my issue with the gym. im 3 months post op and cant use the womens but i dont even know if having that qualifies me to use the mens... as i am awaiting my GRC cert... ugh. i just look ridiculous changing in the womens