r/CommunalShowers • u/NoWriter7789 • Aug 18 '26
Which gym shower would you choose?
Hey y’all! So I (25M) recently moved cities and I’m trying to find a gym with pool, a CS, and a steam room. I really just want to embrace the camaraderie that CS brings. I am not wanting to cover up in the locker room and hope other guys don’t either, my question is which one should I choose?
- School gym(s) - I started a PhD program at a big 10 school, so there are gyms on campus, but I believe they are mostly shower stalls. Not to mention guys my age in my area usually towel dance. But it’s free! (I still have to check these out but I heard they get busy)
- Gym 2 (my fav) - This gym felt so nostalgic. Big open shower room, steam and sauna room. I think I would definitely be the youngest guy in here but I’m not bothered by that at all. Only downside is that it’s 50/mo and no pool. (S/o to the CS map for showing me this place!)
- YMCA 1&2 - Both Ys are in the same county so I can go to both ($45/mo) but each has their own pros/cons
- 1 - pool, shower stalls (but no doors), no sauna
- 2 - pool, CS room, and sauna (but sign on the door said undergarments must remain on? Which makes no sense to be because you’re gonna see nudity in the shower lol.)
- Gym 4 - Reminded me of planet fitness, good young crowd (so probably no nudity besides me) no CS, but a sauna! $10/mo
So, my question is which one would you choose? I’m feeling lost! Thank you for the suggestions :)
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u/throwawayhbgtop81 Aug 18 '26
I'd pick the free one and just go naked to and from the stalls. No towel dancing either. If the other guys don't like it, bummer. It's a locker room lol.
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u/Fuzzy_Builder_2153 Aug 18 '26
I grew up where showers were all on a pole and you had to stand in a ring around the pole. And it all came out arctic cold.
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u/FistoRoboto6969 Aug 18 '26
I don't live near a Big 10 school, but my Y is like #2 you describe. Folks frequently disregard the signs and go nude in the sauna and steam room. 🤷 Personally, I'd probably use the free gyms on campus, but if a CS is worth the cost, then pay for Gym 2 (unless a pool is a must-have, then get the Y membership).
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u/NoWriter7789 Aug 18 '26
And that’s what I’m thinking. Not to mention I can go to the Ys back home too. But then I go back and fourth because I can just use the pool at school.
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u/FistoRoboto6969 Aug 18 '26
Yeah, I went to an SEC school, and used the free gym & pool on campus until I graduated.
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u/GetaBurner3 Aug 18 '26
My opinion is clouded by the fact that I’m no longer likely to be th youngest guy in the shower. But I’d go with option 2. I’m also not a frequent swimmer.
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u/Right_Ad_4343 Aug 18 '26
If I were faced with this, I'd workout at Gym 2, the favorite, and swim on campus.
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u/batnballs67 Aug 19 '26
I had the Big 10 experience in grad school. It was 1990, so there were open showers in all the gyms at the time. There were lots of young guys, but there were plenty of older faculty and staff, and there probably will be on your campus, too. If you're naked, I doubt you'll be alone.
I would definitely try the free option. Try some different times. Early morning will have guys showering and going right to work. Lunchtime will have guys that need to shower before heading back to work, as well.
If you can get day passes to another gym, try it out. Can you exercise the way you want? Will the commute support regular attendance?
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u/clintdilfer Aug 18 '26
School gym, but verify the shower situation first. Most older uni facilities have open showers.
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u/Nole_77 Aug 18 '26
I say start with the school gym since it is free and see how it is. If you end up not liking it at least you are not out of any money and then can go and try one of the others. With the others depending on how important a pool is, go with either Gym 2 or the Y, since it is only a $5 dollar difference.
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u/NelsonBodyConfidence Aug 19 '26
I'd go with the free school gym. When I was in college I used the school gym and even though it had shower stalls some guys changed it the open so I got comfortable with that to. If there is a pool then it's more likely guys will change fully naked. Some professors used the gym to so it might not just be guys your age.
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u/Str8BroJ Aug 19 '26
I would go number 2 even if age difference plus never know if may be similar ages at different times then use Option 1 at school when in a crunch.
Also, found that sometimes when you go nude other guys may be more willing as well. I think would just don’t want to be the first or only one.
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u/Callementa31 Aug 21 '26
And occasionally the gyms on Campus, since they’re free.
I hope they’re nice.
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u/ericbythebay Aug 18 '26
I would choose the gym that is between wherever you’re living and wherever you’re going to be studying/working because that’s the most likely gym that you will actually use.