Wearing a swimsuit in the gym?

Question

When I go to the gym, I normally work out wearing my swimsuit, so I can just jump in the pool to cool off at the end of my session. I've been doing this for maybe a year and it's never seemed to bother anyone.

Now, there's a new deputy manager just started working there, and she came into the gym and saw me and got really annoyed and demanded that I wear "proper" gym clothes. I pointed out that I had been wearing a swimsuit in the gym for a long time and no one had complained.

She then started saying it was a safety issue. How on earth can wearing a swimsuit be unsafe? If anything, loose-fitting clothes are more unsafe because they're more likely to snag on something.

Fortunately, the other people in the gym (staff and customers) were on my side -- I know most of them.

But why would she get so annoyed about me wearing a swimsuit in the gym? I know it's unusual, but I've seen a few other women do it, presumably for the same reason I do.

P.S. I do shower between working out and swimming, so it's not a hygiene issue, as a couple of people suggested.

Answer 1

I work out wearing my swimsuit as well, but I wear pants and a shirt over it. I don't see any rules in our gym about not wearing a bathing suit in the gym area, but I suspect that it has something to do with the dirt, sweat and buildup that gets on the floor and the gym equipment. This would get on your suit, which would then be transmitted to the pool unless you showered off first. I would say that, as long as you shower between the workout and the swim, there shouldn't be a problem. You should make the DM explain the safety issue. If she can't tell you, then make her get the book or the notice from the health department. If she's new, then she might have dragged a few rules and prejudices in with her and she might be trying to take over by basically being obnoxious about rules. If this is the case and everyone else is on your side, then she won't last long.

P.S. She must not remember the whole Aerobics craze in the 80's, when women wore basically what were swimsuit style leotards with tights and a headband. If we'd wanted to, we could have taken off the tights and headband and gone straight to the pool. I worked out in a skimpy aerobics getup in a gym for ages in the 80's. There were no complaints.

Answer 2

It's possible that there's been morons working there who just never said anything before about what you've been wearing there. In the gyms where I live, you would not be allowed to work out in a bathing suit. But if you're not breaking any rules posted there about inappropriate attire, then there's nothing she can do about it, really....People are required to shower with their bathing suits ON before getting into the pool and hot tub, so there's no sweat in there.

The rules should be posted about what is suitable workout attire, so if you are not breaking the rules, file a complaint against that assistant manager.

Answer 3

My girlfriend says thong back leotards and semi-sheer black tights are the most comfortable clothing to wear to the gym. She doesn't even bother with socks or shoes. The gym managers (and I) think she looks great.

Answer 4

Well back in the 80's we used to wear the leotards and workout bikini's and no one had a issue with it. I think you are correct it is safer then wearing more. As for hygyne...all you have to do is spray and wipe when your done which is what you should do ANYWAY!...so that is not an issue in my mind. As for ethics...well come on liberate your self will ya! So yes I think it's perfectly ok to work out in your swim suit.

Answer 5

There is less material between your genitalia and the gymnasium equipment while wearing a swimsuit as opposed to wearing gym shorts and underwear. Also, more of your skin is exposed in the swimsuit, unless you're wearing a 1950's model.
More clothing will minimize risk for transmission of disease.
You will be less likely to spread disease as well as less likely to get infected.
It makes sense, don't get too bent out of shape.
I know it's a little inconvenient, but you don't want a staph infection, trust me.

Answer 6

Possibly because one sweats in the gym and then jumps in the pool wearing the sweaty suit and "dirties" the water ?

Answer 7

It could be for hygiene, as you sweat a lot at a gym so normally it would you would take a shower after and not just jump into the pool all sweaty, and if you are a good looking girl then maybe you could distract the poor mail costumers and it would be them that have an accident.Oh and I would not think that sweating in a bathing costume would be good for you either, it could cause irritations.

Answer 8

Sounds like she is being ridiculous to me. Someone needs to let her know that YOU are the customer and SHE is the employee. Keep wearing your swimsuit and let her deal with it. It is her issue, not yours.

Answer 9

I don't see why you shouldn't be allowed to work out in your swim suit like you always have.

From a purely logical - if highly overinflated - point of view, though, Lycra - the material most bathing suits are made of - tends to go slippery when wet by sweat and so forth - and may therefore cause you to slip from the seat / bed of the machine you're using. Wich could be a safety issue with the new D.M.

Answer 10

Unless shes worring about sanitary condition?
Sweat ect. If you shower in it before going into pool, I would quess it should be OK
Maybe she'd like you to workout nude( she could be a gay)?
She's probably is intimidated by your great shape and wants to feel empowered by saying that!