Gym showers

Gosh, this is a blast from the past. We had a shower area in the locker room; actually a room with multiple shower heads so no privacy! One gym teacher was known for requiring showers, Mr. Wallace, who taught swim, as luck would have it, so you had to strip anyway and get on a swim suit and shower after. I never thought that he was weird in wanting to see us naked but clearly he saw plenty. 20 teen boys striping naked. I don't really recall seeing anyone getting erect back then but it did seem that there were various sizes and different amounts of pubic hair. Mostly there was nervous laughter and the occasional swat on the butt from a towel by someone.

One year, I think as a senior, I tried out for the swim team. We had to get physicals from the school doctor, who always seemed to me to be a strange guy overweight and short. Awkward experience for certain. Naked and given hernia exam as well as listening to heart and lungs. I thought he was a bit rough when squeezing and nothing one can do with shrinkage!

My experience, locker rooms & showers didn’t begin until I was in high school. The locker rooms in middle school or junior high were unavailable due to a renovation project and construction. Once in HS we were required to wear PE uniforms and strongly encouraged but not mandatory to shower before our next class. The inability to shower was due to time restraints, schedule or the weather. At my high school, the guys gym wasn’t attached main building it was one of many free standing buildings on campus. We had to walk across a large parking (main bldg. to gym) an the school nurses didn’t want us still wet in the cold weather. So, the showers were very off limits between sometime in November thur April.

There was absolutely no privacy in the locker room. The locker area was wide open with rows of lockers an benches in front of the lockers. Actually, the locker room was open but grouped by grades. My school had two open shower rooms: 1) 9th & 10th and 2) 11th & 12th with shower heads on the walls and open drying area. The bathroom was between the locker room and shower areas a row of urinals and toilets stalls, no doors. I remember some apprehension at the beginning of 9th grade having to change and taking showers with many more guys than I was accustomed to. My high school was a regional district, 5 schools funneled into one school. Basically, 4 times the guys in just your grade changing together plus the all the upperclassmen. Probably, most guys were just self-conscious of their current stage of puberty : amount of pubic hair,testicles and penis sizes uncut or cut.

While, showers weren’t mandatory,some guys never stepped in the shower room. An observation, in 9th grade hardly anyone took a shower but by 11th and 12th grade the vast majority took showers after PE. I’m was guilty of doing this too.

The OP said:

Love the group showers like back in HS where there was one big room with a bunch of shower heads. My favorite were the ones with a pole with 4-5 shower heads coming out of it. Great male bonding experience and made it easy to sneak a peek at the other guys.

In Junior High we had those same pole showers. The boys shower room shared a common wall with the girls shower room. There was always a lot of pounding back and forth on the wall! We used to boast that we would sneak in one day and drill a peep hole - but it never happened! High school and college we had shower rooms that were wide open - no private stalls.

I'm fortunate in that the gym that me and my older brother go to work out together at has a choice - six cubicles and six shower heads on the wall in a communal area. We just use the communal shower, nothing to hide from anyone!

In my high school all the showers were in a smaller shower room all white tile with stainless steel shower heads along the walls it would get very steamy in there as you can imagine with 20 to 25 high school jocks all laughing and ass slapping in there ,it had one large door opening so everyone coming and going into the shower room would be bumping into each other ! Nothing like a wet slippery hot dude bumping into you dripping wet and smelling of Dial soap ! I only wish the big warm and steamy shower rooms were back ! A good time to be with your buddies naked and also smelling great ,wet hair and bodies at their peak of youth !

My gym has both communal and private stalls in the locker room. I use the communal mainly because I tend to go at off hours and there is really no one else around. Also, even in HS we always had private stalls but they did not have a door anything on them.

Sophomore year I had gym at 7:00 am and last class at 4:00. While showers were required the rule wasn't enforced and most did their best to keep their privates private. After a couple of weeks of reeking through the day I broke down and started showering after gym. I was jealous as to how other guys walked around like being naked was nothing, stopping to talk to others, even fluffing themselves occasionally. I promised myself I would act cool, no wall-walking or hiding behind a towel, it was hard as hell the first time but I did it, pretty much. I was embarrassed as hell and waiting for someone to comment on the fact I didn't usually shower or about the size of my junk, but no one did. It probably took about two weeks to feel comfortable, a few weeks more to start to enjoy it in a completely non-sexual way. It was just a bunch of buddies cooling down after gym discussing the game, girls and all the other stuff guys talk about.

I'm pretty sure it was good for those of us who broke down and often wonder if things like enforced showers weren't there to help teen guys get used to their changing bodies. The original reason for swimming nude in a pool was that cotton swim-ware shed fibers that clogged the pool's pumps. Long before I was born cotton trunks had long been a thing of the past, yet many all-boy's high schools still required boys swim nude as a part of the PE class fifteen years later. I distinctly remember being told at an orientation that the school required all boys to swim in the nude twice a week, refusal meant you failed the class. I didn't go there but for other reasons.

When I was in high school, taking a shower after the physical education or PE class was not mandatory, so I never did. My PE class was usually late in the day so I just skipped any shower and made my last class or two and rode the school bus home. The couple of years I played football, practice was after school was out so I went straight home after practice. In junior high school and high school, we had no access to any locker room facilities to change into any PE clothes, so we wore our regular school clothes in PE classes. I did take a shower after football practice a few times and after a game sometimes, but that was all. We had community showers back then. Even in college PE classes showers after a PE class was not required so most guys, myself included, skipped them. It was hard enough to get across campus to the next class if you have one and if not it was usually back to the dorm.

Gym showers began in 7th grade... no one stared, but you could not help but see what other guys looked like. After the shower you'd go back to your locker; drying off you would could not help being seen or seeing; though all avoided looking It was the 1950's and there wasn't all the talk about gayness or liking someone of the same sex that there is today.

RE: sickBoy69 post...The original reason for swimming nude in a pool was that cotton swim-ware shed fibers that clogged the pool's pumps.

Always wondered why the YMCA required it...now I know. Yes, they sure took a long time to change the rule to reflect the change in swimwear!

RE: sickBoy69 post...The original reason for swimming nude in a pool was that cotton swim-ware shed fibers that clogged the pool's pumps.

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There was also the fact that the YMCA wanted to attract the lesser affluent part of the population, boys in families that were not very well off financially. They especially needed the healthy physical activities that the YMCA offered, especially in the early years of the movement, late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Buying swimming apparel could very well be a financial hardship on poorer families, so it was decided to do away with the requirement of swimming suits.

After the world wars, it was also thought in the US, that in future, military service would be virtually mandatory for all healthy males. Therefore it was not a bad idea to start accustoming youngsters to the lack of privacy that is typical of the military.

Nude swimming at the Y wasn't due to just one reason, there was a whole matrix of them.

Our YMCA had showers along side the pool to rinse off in both before and after swimming. No suits. There was also a window to the locker room.

There was also the fact that the YMCA wanted to attract the lesser affluent part of the population, boys in families that were not very well off financially. They especially needed the healthy physical activities that the YMCA offered, especially in the early years of the movement, late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Buying swimming apparel could very well be a financial hardship on poorer families, so it was decided to do away with the requirement of swimming suits.

That's an interesting concept - never thought of that before, but I remember the membership dues to the YMCA were pretty cheap. They offered an "Exclusive" men's membership at a much higher rate with private lockers, masseurs, etc.

That's an interesting concept - never thought of that before, but I remember the membership dues to the YMCA were pretty cheap.

This was apparently a broad discussion that was held and the consequences of this decision were more important in the 19th century and during the Depression years. There was such a thing as brutal poverty in those times. Any expense for any extra clothing at all on top of even cheap dues was for many families an extravagance they could ill afford. And it was just such families that the YMCA wanted to reach out to especially.

@SickBoy69

The original reason for swimming nude in a pool was that cotton swim-ware shed fibers that clogged the pool's pumps. Long before I was born cotton trunks had long been a thing of the past, yet many all-boy's high schools still required boys swim nude as a part of the PE class fifteen years later. I distinctly remember being told at an orientation that the school required all boys to swim in the nude twice a week, refusal meant you failed the class. I didn't go there but for other reasons.

Well I was likewise threatened with Nude swimming as compulsory in school, the reason given being that the dye would somehow leach out of trunks and stain the tiles. Funny how differing reasons existed, and just how troublesome boy’s swimming trunks were; I’m sure it was unrelated to a generation of pervy teachers/janitors wanting to see boys parade nude. It never actually happened to me as by the time our pool had been rebuilt, times were a changing for school kids as for adults generally.

But I lived in fear of the threatened nude swimming etc. Not because I was ashamed of what I had, but rather just that in those intensely self-conscious years I’d have got a stiffy if the wind had changed direction. Fear doesn’t help, men being led to the gallows often show erections and I’m fairly sure they don’t all fancy the hangman. Just something weird about our animal brains, like Shy Bladder Syndrome. You can’t tell your cock what to do, and at that age, the thought of shame in front of your peers is almost is a fate worse than death.

The club I go has only open showers in locker rooms.

The older one is fully open, with nothing to separate the lockers from the showers, so you can have a quick shower with almost everyone looking at you. The new one is a bit different, consisting in a large squared room with showers on the walls, yet no one outside can look at you.

I have only know communal changing and shower areas be it high school, college, the beach, or Y. No way to hide your privates only hope is that there is sufficient space between you and the other guy. I don't recall if it was 6 foot distance been shower heads. Who knows if it was a standard thing for locker room showers? I do recall feeling that the distance between my locker and the shower seemed so long, in part, because I wished to be in an area that wasn't too crowded, which helped me get naked, then more self conscious as I walked to the shower area. I also just used to shake my head when I would see men shaving naked at a sink or combing their hair. No idea why.

I also just used to shake my head when I would see men shaving naked at a sink or combing their hair. No idea why.

Maybe because they were of an exhibitionist nature? Or maybe it was a way of trying to score? Or maybe trying to confuse, confound and befuddle other guys?

The club I go has only open showers in locker rooms.

The older one is fully open, with nothing to separate the lockers from the showers, so you can have a quick shower with almost everyone looking at you. The new one is a bit different, consisting in a large squared room with showers on the walls, yet no one outside can look at you.

My cousin and I used to work out after work. We did it for over 20 years. After awhile, it is mostly the same guys and no one looks. I was more concerned about getting athletes foot(which I never did) than anyone looking. It's kind of an unwritten rule. There was one exception and that was this little old wrinkled guy that was about 4 foot 5. He looked like something you'd find under a bridge. He had a John Holmes kind of crank though. Unbelievable.

Modesty. Modesty has become more prevalent in this politically correct society. I went to Jr high and high school in the late 60' and early 70's. I remember the large gang shower where everyone had to get in and shower in a matter of minutes so they could dress and get to their next class on time. You were lucky if you had PE before a recess, lunch, or last period because you did not have to rush as much. In college there were gang showers also. Hopefully you were beyond shyness by then.

When I first joined gyms, I recall they had gang showers. The first gym that was edging towards individual stalls put frosted glass panels between the showers. Then as gyms updated the put glass panels in and eventually followed with plastic shower curtains. At he gym I go to now it was a gang shower style, but they closed that facility and went to a new location. When they remodeled that location the put tile stalls in for the showers. They initially did not have curtains, but I believe that people complained and now they have curtains.

I have noticed that older guys tend to walk to the showers carrying their towel. Younger guys wrap their towel around themselves. I leave the curtain open when I shower, as do others but more than half pull the curtain closed. Maybe its just what I am used to. I don't know the reason for the generational modesty. Guessing as others have commented the lack of military service, or the lack of taking showers in school..

@John657, I don't remember how many "incomplete" scores I got simply due to my extreme shyness and refusing to take a shower after gym class back in the 1950s. LOL.

Guessing as others have commented the lack of military service, or the lack of taking showers in school..

Also think of how many social groups and their pressure/special interest groups, especially those of moral majority or religious affiliations, all tend towards prudery as well as rejecting serious and extensive sexual education, all and any kinds of sexual activity not considered marital/hetero and that these groups have an enormous impact on society through their incessant activities and promoting of their message.

It is often about removing what they consider to be temptation and nudity, especially same-sex nudity could very well lead to one their blackest considered activities/orientations: homosexuality. They go crazy trying to suppress any mention or anything they think can lead to that heinous activity. So nude men together? Wowee, temptation in the flesh.

In grade school through college and while in the service we only had walk in or pole showers. Never thought twice about it and never felt I was being checked out. Even the racket ball club had open showers. At the YMCA they had a box by the lockers to step in with some white powder to help prevent athletes foot. Didn’t work, I had multiple bouts and some nasty bouts with it! Private gyms all seem to have shower stalls.

In grade school through college and while in the service we only had walk in or pole showers. Never thought twice about it and never felt I was being checked out.

Never thought others in the shower were checking others out..... But I do remember when I was young and going into a shower room (for a large swimming pool) with my father, he yelled at some to watch their language...

I loved playing team sport but I used to be so uncomfortable when it came to showers time. Being circumcised made me feel I was showing more than others. My approach was to get changed as near to the showers as possible and to get into the showers as early as possible, taking up a nozzle in the corner that was less visible from folks in the change room & where I could use the walls to shield me. I'd then exit the showers early enough to be one of the first, but late enough that most others were now in the showers so that the changing room was as empty as possible. A quick towel off, get my briefs on, then relax as though I had no issues, drying & combing my hair, applying deodorant, etc in my underwear.

Although I'd felt that level of shyness myself, it probably sounds hypocritical or unfair that once in the safety of my briefs I couldn't avoid checking out a couple of the other guys. I'm guessing many would admit to that though too.

My gym has only open showers, same at running competions, etc.

My current gym has also only open showers, and many males heteros bis and gays are looking at each other dicks very openly. Some customers there do have hardons and they do not hide them.

Sometimes some of them are touching each other just a while and they probably keep on further their game out of the gym etc

In school we had open showers after PE class. At first, it was very uncomfortable but we got used to it quickly. I think it is normal to check out the other people there.

I have been in Health club open showers and always enjoyed the view and tried to give as much as I got.

I find it a great turn on to be naked and having water run all over my body. First I get wet then step aside and lather up. I start at the top going over my shoulders and arms then to my chest moving down to my stomach and around my backside getting in between my butt crack and backside of my thighs. Then I move to the front working down from my bellybutton to my crotch. Weather there are other men in there with me or not I spend a little more time lathering my crotch. Sometimes it can be embarrassing because I will start to get hard, but I still enjoy it.

I finish up and then step back into the water and let it clean me up.

If I find that anyone was looking at me I would go from the shower to the steam room, sometimes, someone would fallow…

My 9th/10th grade Gym shower room had 22--25 Freshman/Sophomore boys (all Caucasian then) Lighting was a subdued twilight scenario. You only had 25 or so minutes to get that done--dry off--get dressed. Not much time to slack off..Never saw anybody with a erection but it sure was a quasi Anatomy class..a hurried but unavoidable view of body types--skin tones--and views of buttocks and crotches. You could tell boys who were uncomfortable/embarrassed – they moved around in high gear and/or you'd see signs of blushing.

The gym i go to has open showers.