It's the same at some pools I've been to.
For heaven's sake, can't they at least put some shower curtains up?
Every time I go to the gym in Zug it drives me nuts that there is no privacy in the shower and no private changing room in the girls' locker. I started bringing my bikini to shower because I certainly don't want to be naked in the shower where other people are around, and I lock myself in the solarium to get changed. The Swiss ladies probably think I am weird.
You hit the nail on the head!
For a Swiss person, that would be weird...
Have you been to a mixed sauna yet?
Yeah that's another thing, I just didn't want to overload it...At least they have a lady's sauna in Zug, but the men's is mixed...and women even GO there voluntarily!!!!!
On a more practical note, being English and understanding exactly how you feel, the changing rooms at Alpamare in Pfaffikon, Congo (just over the hill from you) have individual changing cubicles.
There's always the Skeggy Towel Shuffle, though...
What's wrong with the naked body that you have to hide it?
What's the point of exposing it to everybody?
I suppose it's protestant vs. catholic... there's nothing to hide in a naked body in germanic countries, where Guilt (note the capital G) has not been around for 500 years...
You've never seen me naked, have you?
Then you may like the Bath at Bad Zurzach. Individual changing cabins, and a Sauna for women only, and a mixed Sauna. They also have some fitness studio machines, but it is probably too far away from you.
Doc.
What? That good???
That's normal at many gyms, certainly the ones I used to go to. I don't see why you would be uncomfortable getting changed in front of other women though unless you had a serious problem with your body... they're not going to be judging you, they'll be too busy minding their own business and getting changed.
I like my body - but I consider it to be something VERY private and I want to choose who gets to see it and who doesn't. People I don't know (even if they are women) definitely are ones who don't. Am I asking too much?
Has been normal at the few gyms I've frequented in Switzerland. It's still the "womens" changing room/shower for you tho', you all have the same bits and pieces.
You shoulda seen how it was back in the army when I had to shower with another 20 or so fellow soldiers in a single long line of showers, all those hunky, muscle laden bodies
"Oi mate, pass the soap please!"
Not a big deal IMO, but we're all different... maybe you can find a gym that DOES separate the showers? Or go to a smaller gym with less chance of there being a lot of people at the same time?
Then a public gym is perhaps the wrong place for you.
Profound!!!
Sure, everyone else is attending to her own business, but that doesn't help someone who does feel uncomfortable.
While your average English bloke probably doesn't give a bugger who's looking at him, many women from many, many parts of the world do have quite strong notions of modesty, so one can't really blame them for feeling uncomfortable in the let-it-all-hang-out changing rooms of northern continental Europe.
Of course, that isn't going to change the situation for the OP, who has no choice but to get on with it, but to question why she should feel uncomfortable is a little unfair.
Anyone for a game of soggy biscuit?
Great idea! I'll have my own private gym! Where's my boss? Need an essential pay-rise...
Well I understand why she may feel uncomfortable with strangers seeing her naked... but just think that going to a public gym and then complaining about people seeing your body is a tad odd. That is always going to happen... and in certain circumstances like that you just accept it
Go running on the street, buy a few weights, and you won't be looking at more than 200 CHF. X step machines are not too bad second hand and really burn the fat. Versus thousands for an ongoing gym membership.
If you have the space, might as well invest in some machinery for your home. Seeing as gyms here in Switzerland cost to the tune of 800chf a year (seems to be the average over here where I live), you could spend 2000chf for some weight lifting gear and a stepper, and as long as you keep them tip top shape for a period of 3 years, you'll come out tops (you can always sell the gear if you leave the country).
I ended up spending ~1000chf on a nice set-up (was a 50% reduced price too!) and installed the gear in my cellar. Now if I want to lift some weights, all I need to do is go downstairs
I will be buying an elliptical stepper next, don't really want to be running our in the mud this winter.
*edit* I bought this gear 1.5 years ago when I stopped going to a proper gym. So far I'm 200chf ahead If space is an issue and you live in a common appartment complex, see if you've got a commons room that isn't much used. Maybe the neighbours could all chip in and then you can get a shared setup for a much lower overall price per head.
Well, I'd love to have the freedom to get changed in a public gym, but the miserable sods won't let me wear my hood in there...
Body image issues? Me?