Marie Claire Writer Is Sick Of Seeing Your Naked Body In Her Gym Locker Room!
Posted by: Amelia McDonell-Parry
Filed in:
style
3:30PM, Tuesday September 8th 2009
The lady blogs are all a-cluck over a piece in the latest issue of Marie Claire in which writer Lea Goldman practically begs her fellow gym-goers to “put your clothes on already!”—in the locker room that is. Goldman writes that she’s tired of women using the gym locker room to perform various tasks that would otherwise be done in the confines of one’s home—clipping toenails, brushing teeth, plucking eyebrows, and even “blow-drying their girly bits”—while she is simply trying to “get in, get out.” The thing is, Goldman knows her discomfort is her problem, but she still wants everyone else to bend to her whims.
I’m sure there are some women who share Goldman’s discomfort with being up close and personal with strange naked women in the gym locker room. On those rare occasions when I actually go to the gym and am sweaty enough to have to change out of my workout clothes, I usually find myself worrying that I’m starring at the wide variety of pubic stylings the locker room has to offer. But I know that I am responsible for keeping my curious gaze as subtle and private as possible. If “hot chick in the corner with bacon strip for pubes” wants to brush her teeth in the buff, who am I to demand otherwise?
Locker-room peacocks would, no doubt, counter that I’m insecure about my body, that such prudishness is the telltale mark of a chubster. True, I’m no size 4, and I haven’t entirely made peace with my fullish figure (I prefer to call it my Marilyn-after-cheesecake build) .... But my discomfort in the locker room runs way deeper than mere self-consciousness. The fact is, at age 32, I still find the bare female form pretty foreign. I wasn’t raised in one of those “naked homes,” where, I imagine, girls pranced around braless and changed with their doors open. My God-fearing, disciplinarian parents valued modesty in their three daughters and raised us to be reserved young ladies who’d sooner wait in an interminable line for a private fitting room than doff our clothes in a communal one. I didn’t even own a bikini until I was 30 (it’s seen about as much wear as my Crocs), and my sisters — one-piecers to the bone — were aghast when my husband bragged about how good I looked in it. It’s no wonder, then, that I treat full frontal — be it in movies or magazines or at the gym — with the same wonder-tinged-with-alarm that kids reserve for a solar eclipse: Stare too long and risk going blind.
To that I say, DON’T STARE. Goldman assumes that if you are at all leisurely in getting changed at the gym, you’re “peacocking” or flaunting your appearance or comfort with your own body. I doubt that’s true for many, but even if that was the primary motivation of trolling through the locker room naked, whether Goldman chooses to stare or not is her prerogative. And really, Miss Goldman, if the sight of a “doughy naked woman, her nipples the size of salami slices, holding aloft a compact as she carefully plucked her eyebrows” makes you that squeamish, no one is stopping you from taking your things into a bathroom stall and changing away from all prying eyes—including your own. [Marie Claire]
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ootie
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 02:41 pm: [report]
A few weeks ago at the gym, there was a girl at the mirror blow-drying her hair (and then putting on makeup) naked, which I thought was a little weird/funny, because she could’ve just as easily done that after putting on her bra and panties. But it didn’t bother me, I just thought it was kinda silly. Its a room designated for changing, which people do at their own pace and modesty level; you shouldn’t go in if you are offended by the sight of boobies.
Riley
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 02:43 pm: [report]
Its a gym locker room, get over it.
Old men are much much worse.
Goldfinch86
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 02:44 pm: [report]
She’s such a prudish bitch, needless to say the locker room should be a safe zone and for those out of college and high school who go to real gyms and see the people there, you usually feel more free and comfortable to be you. This woman should be kicked out of her gym for writing this, if people know who she is it’s going to be making the place hostile and embarrass other more open minded patrons. I was raised by a woman who felt that nakedness was alright, I did not, just because you feel free in your skin doesn’t make you god-less or a slut as her lovely thoughts hint at. I was an art student who studied the naked human form, I don’t walk around naked because of that. Does it make me godless because I can admire a naked man or woman or love my fat salomi nipples? I kinda hope she dies so she can’t influence more self-hating skinny bitches to pick on larger more confident women.
Raugiel
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 02:47 pm: [report]
Apparently Goldman never had to take a high school gym class either. I don’t see how using the locker room for its intended purpose amounts to being a locker-room peacock. I suggest she invest in a home gym.
JamiGirl
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:00 pm: [report]
@Goldfinch86: whoa. I think you may be overreacting…a tad. She should die? Really?
I think this woman needs to get over herself. A gym locker room will contain naked people.
I agree with Raugiel, she should invest in a home gym if this stuff bothers her. (um, but I don’t think she should be kicked out of this gym…or die).
joyy
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:04 pm: [report]
The female form is foreign to her? Wow, that’s sad.
neongh0st
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:04 pm: [report]
“wonder-tinged alarm”? Sounds more like curiosity-tinged shame. Sorry if your “God-fearing, disciplinarian parents” put that same fear into you, Ms. Goldman, but if you’re going to acknowledge how you feel, DO something about it.
spatula
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:21 pm: [report]
I do think it’s a little ridiculous to do things naked (in a room full of strangers..i know it’s for changing, but it’s a room full of strangers nonetheless) that you don’t necessrily HAVE to be naked for (makeup, brushing your teeth, etc). I’ll give you blow drying (the hair on your HEAD..im not touching the other) because it gets hot, but it’s not entirely necessary to be naked while putting on makeup, you know? I’m not not a bit modest, but I doubt I’d be comfortable doing that.
HOWEVER, I think it is far (farfarfar) more ridiculous to BE a woman, in a women’s locker room, complaining about naked women. And I’m certainly no “locker room peacock” (i try to avoid even driving past the gym) I kind of feel like “such prudishness is the telltale mark of a chubster”. Sorry.
Queen Frostine
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:25 pm: [report]
Well, as long as they’re not bending over inserting tampons, I’d say it’s fine by me.
Goldfinch86
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:38 pm: [report]
Sorry but the insensitivity of people like this gets me really angry, I guess you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be made fun of for being fat and the shame that comes with it. Because I do and people like this need some #&@$% sense knocked into them.
Humble Bee
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:41 pm: [report]
Sorry to agree with Goldman, but some people take it TOO far. I know it’s great that people are comfortable with their bodies, but damnit some people just walk around naked having conversations and shoving their big ass in my face because they can. I like nudity, I think it’s awesome, but it can be gross when your bending over, and doing call kinds of nasty sh*t that you should only do in the comfort of your own home. For the people who actually go to the gym! Its gross to see people louging around naked, sweaty, talking about the weekend. I have never brought it up to anyone, I just get the f*ck out of there and avoid the whole show. If they want to be naked, whatever, but I still think its not very polite to just be sitting around naked in the locker room.
Humble Bee
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 03:49 pm: [report]
*lounging*
@Goldfinch86,
why do “fat” people get to be the victims all the time? The other day at the gym, this lady must have been 300lbs, and she came over to me and asked me “NOw what is that supposed to do for you?” and just started laghing at me for wearing a girdle. Very mature….
She and her other very vulumptous friends just kept laughing. It made me feel bad for a sec, but then again, I know what type of body I want, so screw them! I’ve been working hard! my b-day is coming up.
EscapeHatch
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 04:30 pm: [report]
I think I’ll split the difference. Changing and casual nudity in the gym lockers? Normal and expected. Wandering aimlessly sans clothes is a bit much. I think I know where the original author *meant* to go with this, but she took an extraordinarily narrow-minded view. Living in the desert sands of Phoenix it’s normal for the ladies to wander around in the gym I go to in just a bra and panties, etc.
The ones who take it too far are those initiating extended conversations in the buff, or those that are simply not using the gym locker as designed - a breeze through spot. I’ve had women be there primping and prepping from the time I wander in, change out and hit the floor to the time I come back, shower, do hair, add a touch of makeup and bolt.
An hour and a half with your bare ass on the benches? C’mon, sanitation (MRSA anyone?) says to put your clothes on and get moving.
breakthisvanity
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 04:32 pm: [report]
I agree that some people take it a little bit too far. There is a large amount women over 50 who (don’t ask me why) are ALWAYS bending over naked after a shower, spreading their cheeks, and wiping around there with their towels. Why wouldn’t you do that before you step out of the shower?? i’m not a prude, but this makes me a little bit uncomfortable.
Alexa
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 05:49 pm: [report]
It’s a gym locker room. People get naked in gym locker rooms. Deal with it or find some place else to be. *Anyone* who wants to complain about people just being naked (even outside the gym locker room, IMO) is just being a prudish little twit. The naked human body is not offensive. Anyone who believes otherwise has issues. Period.
CaleeKay
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 06:16 pm: [report]
wow, such angry words from so many people, no need to get your nickers in a bunch, ha.
Let_Love_Rule
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 06:28 pm: [report]
I will never forget being in the sauna at my gym (located inside of the women’s dressing room) wrapped in a towel, sitting on another (but nude underneath) when these eighteen-ish girls came and sat in the sauna WITH FULL WORKOUT GEAR, SOCKS AND SHOES and acted like I was the weirdo. They even made a nasty comment about how if they were my size (5’7 160 at the time I’d just had a baby…half that weight was in my 34 F milk-filled breasts for pete’s sake) they would stay covered up. Mind you, all that was showing were my arms and half my legs. I was appalled and hurt but I did tell them they were gross for sitting in their clothes sweating in a sauna. AFTER WORKING OUT! Without even showering, which I had just done.
F*ck those bitches, wherever their heifer asses are.
nonenone
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 06:58 pm: [report]
i think that some people are just raised to be comfortable with their bodies… but i agree that some things should just remain private
SummertimeFirefly
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 08:13 pm: [report]
It’s a gym locker room, not your home - so get naked when you need to and then put on clothes. I see no need for you to blow dry, curl, tweeze, put makeup on, lounge on unsanitary benches while nude in a locker room - it’s puzzling exhibitionism to me.
Alexa
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 08:18 pm: [report]
@summertimeFirefly, why do you care? What difference does it make to you if they do it naked? No one’s forcing you to stare at them, are they? No. It’s a damn gym locker room for #&@$%’s sake.
Shasta
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 09:18 pm: [report]
We’ve ALL experienced this. Blah. Blah. Blah. Marie Claire provided nothing new here.
Below is my new observation.
I used to be completely embarrassed at the “in your face” nudity; however, I find myself peeking around the locker room these days in an attempt to determine what reality is. All I see are magazine covers or airbrushed bods that make me hate myself.
A locker room is the perfect place to see the spectrum of bodies and where I fit along it. It’s refreshing. And despite my own personal modesty, these exhibitionist chicks make me laugh. Talk about self-esteem. They got it.
Girls. Chill.
Shasta
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 09:22 pm: [report]
@Queen Frostine - I’m still laughing.
And I needed that today.
fallonthecity
wrote on September 8 2009 @ 09:38 pm: [report]
The last time I felt like this was probably in the 4th grade. Now, I don’t really give a hoot who sees me change. And I don’t mind the naked women in my gym locker room, but I do wish they’d sit on a towel instead of putting their bare asses on the benches.
*sam*
wrote on September 9 2009 @ 03:45 am: [report]
I certainly do not frequent a gym, however, I can at least understand where Ms Goldman is coming from. I have no qualms with the naked human body, and if you’re confident in yourself to flaunt around in the nude for however long it takes you to get ready, then more power to you. That being said, as far as my personal comfort levels go, I would probably prefer it if others didn’t initiate full conversations with me in the buff. Mostly it’s just because it’s a room full of strangers that makes me a little more conservative, but, even my best friend and I of 12 years still cover up when we’re changing. However, just because I’m not the most comfortable with it, doesn’t mean others should abide by that (so long as they’re not being so rude as to force it on me, such as cornering me against a wall to talk to me sans clothes—which would be uncomfortable, regardless of the lack of clothes). I suppose I would just ignore it for the most part, like any mature human being would do.
@alexa: I think your assumption that anyone who’s the least bit uncomfortable with the naked body is a “prudish little twit” is a bit much. It’s not the bodies that I’m uncomfortable with, it’s the fact that they’re strangers. I don’t really need to know what everyone else in my gym looks like naked. My SO on the other hand, is a different story.
Alexa
wrote on September 9 2009 @ 04:18 am: [report]
@sam, you can think it’s a bit much all you wish. The fact remains that it *is* a gym locker room. People get naked in there all the time - that’s what it is for, basically; that’s why we have locked rooms to begin with. If the naked human body, walking around or taking care of their own business in that room offends you, then I’m pretty sure you’re the one with the issues (not meaning you specifically- but anyone who’s “offended”).
And of course, the fact that you even make reference to your SO’s body being “a different story” speaks to the insistence some people have with sexualizing the naked body. So, yeah, you’re the one with the issues.
lareinedeslames
wrote on September 9 2009 @ 04:44 am: [report]
I think that sexualizing the human body isn’t something that is a person-to-person issue; it’s an over-arching theme in American culture. This commentary wouldn’t even exist in a place like France.
Am I comfortable with my body? Not really. I still blush when an SO tells me I’m hot or sexy. I still have a hard time believing it. On the other hand, locker room nudity doesn’t offend me. I was raised by an interesting mom. Her mother made her wear a bra to bed, even. While my mom wasn’t fully comfortable with the idea of me walking around the house in a towel, she took care to NOT instill in me the idea that the naked human body is inherently “bad” or “shameful.” It sounds like this article is an illustration of the end result of such indoctrination. Neurosis!
canadiancutie
wrote on September 9 2009 @ 07:13 am: [report]
Well I haven’t really had to think about this since no one walks around naked at my gym. We’re the bras-and=panties set. Bras and panties for said plucking of the eyebrows is an unreasonable proposition? Really? Sounds like a happy medium to me.
Goldfinch86
wrote on September 9 2009 @ 02:31 pm: [report]
Oh Humble bee, STFU.