The Steam Room At NYSC

steve

Anonymous wrote: Inconsiderate jerks are born both gay and straight. Additionally, unappealing things happen in many gyms, inside the locker room and out. Plenty of straight couples, have sprawled out close to me on yoga mats and exchanged open mouth kisses at The Slope Fitness Center. Sweaty couples -- straight or gay -- making out less than a 12 inches away from my sweaty body in such a tight space are inconsiderate "personal bubble trespassers" (jerks who pop into the invisible bubbles we all wear to prevent others from getting in our faces). What's worse, is the occasional straight male personal trainer who passionately massages his attractive female clients in public areas. Some of the straight male personal trainers seem to be receiving more pleasure from massaging their attractive female clients then their female clients themselves. I'd like to see these straight male personal trainers give the same type of massage to a 50 year old man.

I don't think a little neck massaging or a little kiss in the public areas of the gym is a big deal. It's a big leap from that to the steam room blowjob.

steve

Flexichick wrote: ewww....Firecrotch and the walking wonky-eyed, no talent chick? Why, why, why, why, why? :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

Have you seen the 2nd video? Girl has talent. :oops: As for Lindsey Lohan, God, bring her on.

anonymous

steve wrote: I don't think a little neck massaging or a little kiss in the public areas of the gym is a big deal. It's a big leap from that to the steam room blowjob.

Yeah, as soon as you're talking potentially spilled fluids I think it's safe to say a line has been crossed.

kosherdave

Ok, after reading this thread a few days ago, I've gone the the steam room after my workouts every evening to see if I can catch a glimps of the reported "PDA" and I have to say I've seen nothing except an occasional dude sitting in the steam. The steam room is pretty comfy though, so I hope the make out sessions have stopped cause I'd hate to see them close it down like they did in Chelsea.

8thandprez

kosherdave wrote: Ok, after reading this thread a few days ago, I've gone the the steam room after my workouts every evening to see if I can catch a glimps of the reported "PDA" and I have to say I've seen nothing except an occasional dude sitting in the steam. The steam room is pretty comfy though, so I hope the make out sessions have stopped cause I'd hate to see them close it down like they did in Chelsea.

The make out sessions don't stop. You just won't notice them.

armchair_warrior

i think all sorts of action by gay or straight folks is nasty. and if people have camera phones . just take a picture and post them up to shame them or something.

prusik

armchair_warrior wrote: i think all sorts of action by gay or straight folks is nasty. and if people have camera phones . just take a picture and post them up to shame them or something.

Having a camera phone in the locker room at Crunch is considered grounds for kicking you out. "But I was only trying to capture the two guys going at it" might be a tenuous defense.

kosherdave

armchair_warrior wrote: i think all sorts of action by gay or straight folks is nasty. and if people have camera phones . just take a picture and post them up to shame them or something.

that's assuming they'd be shamed. I have some friends who would do something JUST to get someone's interest with a camera phone!

steve

kosherdave wrote: Ok, after reading this thread a few days ago, I've gone the the steam room after my workouts every evening to see if I can catch a glimps of the reported "PDA" and I have to say I've seen nothing except an occasional dude sitting in the steam. The steam room is pretty comfy though, so I hope the make out sessions have stopped cause I'd hate to see them close it down like they did in Chelsea.

I went about 100 times before I saw anything, sample sizes this small are pretty meaningless in nearly everything.

8thandprez

kosherdave wrote: [quote=armchair_warrior]i think all sorts of action by gay or straight folks is nasty. and if people have camera phones . just take a picture and post them up to shame them or something.

that's assuming they'd be shamed. I have some friends who would do something JUST to get someone's interest with a camera phone!

and wasn't it you, dave, who just extolled the benefits of making love out in the open, for all to see? :oops:

kosherdave

8thandPrez wrote: [quote=kosherdave][quote=armchair_warrior]i think all sorts of action by gay or straight folks is nasty. and if people have camera phones . just take a picture and post them up to shame them or something.

that's assuming they'd be shamed. I have some friends who would do something JUST to get someone's interest with a camera phone!

and wasn't it you, dave, who just extolled the benefits of making love out in the open, for all to see? :oops:


Oops, busted!
And after my girfriend explained to me what she wears (or doesn't wear) when she's relaxing in the steam room, I REALLY wish they had some co-ed ones!

anonymous

Subject: NYSC

I've been going to the Park Slope NYSC since it opened (I'm female), and that has never happened in the women's locker room as far as I know(must be a male thing). But . . . there is a sign that if there is inappropriate behavior, the person(s) will be escorted out and their membership suspended . . .so you should have talked to a manager (although anyone who worked there should have helped you). Since you didn't get help, would contact the corporate office.

Someone also mentioned that it was closed whenthe club first opened - that was a Board of Health Issue (wasn't properly inspected)

marden

Subject: don't you read missed connections?

i get the feeling that very men's gym steam room has the same problem. missed connections has tons of posts about someone's anatomy and that great thing they did to each other in X steam room at blah time and how great it was - can we please meet again?

makes me glad i'm a girl as i do like a good steam now and again.

anonymous

Subject: Re: don't you read missed connections?

marden wrote:
makes me glad i'm a girl as i do like a good steam now and again.

me too, although as a european i think the covering up in the dressing room and saunas is a bit prim.

you'll never find women covering themselves up for other women anywhere in europe, except for the uk (but that's not really europe, and besides they are the source of all that puritan business).

i just got back from the nysc and i can't get used to how sexualized the whole workout thing is in new york. i just like to sweat and do my thing on the treadmill and get out of there. enough with the eye contact already.

z

yeah I'm at the slope NYSC and I always notice guys smiling at me, as I'm getting off of a bike, or in the locker room. when this happens, I always blatantly check out ladies so they know I don't play for that team

It's flattering, I guess, as long as they don't start groping me or something

meandººd

they should have a gay only sauna.

anonymous

Z wrote: It's flattering, I guess, as long as they don't start groping me or something

I don't think it's flattering; it's annoying. I don't need ugly to mediocre guys to 'flatter' me. In three years I've only seen one faintly attractive guy in that gym.

I don't think leering is fine provided they don't grope me. I just want to work out. Unfortunately leering seems to be a NY sport.

I always thought I was the only one who minded, but it was featured in an article on etiquette in New York magazine as being one of the city's annoying plagues. I find it quite boorish.

carnivore

Z wrote: yeah I'm at the slope NYSC and I always notice guys smiling at me, as I'm getting off of a bike, or in the locker room. when this happens, I always blatantly check out ladies so they know I don't play for that team

It's flattering, I guess, as long as they don't start groping me or something

Did you ever consider that the ladies you're "blatantly checking out" might feel the same way about your attention that you feel about the smiling guys?

escap

I, for one, never get hit on by gay guys, and frankly I find it a bit insulting.

z

Carnivore wrote: [quote=Z]yeah I'm at the slope NYSC and I always notice guys smiling at me, as I'm getting off of a bike, or in the locker room. when this happens, I always blatantly check out ladies so they know I don't play for that team

It's flattering, I guess, as long as they don't start groping me or something

Did you ever consider that the ladies you're "blatantly checking out" might feel the same way about your attention that you feel about the smiling guys?

If you mean that the ladies I'm checking out might feel flattered, as I feel when being smiled at by the guys, then yes, I have considered that.

whyfi

Z wrote: [quote=Carnivore]Did you ever consider that the ladies you're "blatantly checking out" might feel the same way about your attention that you feel about the smiling guys?

If you mean that the ladies I'm checking out might feel flattered, as I feel when being smiled at by the guys, then yes, I have considered that.

In that case, has it also occurred to you that not everyone has a frail ego that has to be pumped up by a complete stranger?

carnivore

Z wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=Z]yeah I'm at the slope NYSC and I always notice guys smiling at me, as I'm getting off of a bike, or in the locker room. when this happens, I always blatantly check out ladies so they know I don't play for that team

It's flattering, I guess, as long as they don't start groping me or something

Did you ever consider that the ladies you're "blatantly checking out" might feel the same way about your attention that you feel about the smiling guys?

If you mean that the ladies I'm checking out might feel flattered, as I feel when being smiled at by the guys, then yes, I have considered that.
That wasn't meant as a dig. Just consider that unwanted attention (and I think I may have confused your post with the person who responded to you on this point) in a setting where people are just trying to work out might make many people uncomfortable.

steve

I'm sorry but what's wrong with smiling at someone? At the gym or anywhere else for that matter. Leering is a bit much obviously, but smiling seems like it shouldn't be an issue. Ultimately, it's a friendly gesture. As for where you go from there, if anywhere, well every situation is different.

Most of my newer friends and dates (for lack of a better word) are people I've met through physical activity, mostly running clubs, but softball too. These are definately more socially oriented than the gym, but it seems completely natural, to me anyway, that you might meet someone at the gym. It's a safe environment filled with people who have too things in common, they work out and they live or work nearby.

I find it kind of ironic that on a board where people have been complainig about how hard it is to meet someone, the gym would be a place people would avoid meeting people at.

kosherdave

Subject: Re: don't you read missed connections?

dropjes wrote:
me too, although as a european i think the covering up in the dressing room and saunas is a bit prim.

you'll never find women covering themselves up for other women anywhere in europe, except for the uk (but that's not really europe, and besides they are the source of all that puritan business).

You won't find me covering up in the locker room either. I get down and bare, and if someone wants to look, great, let them. But they don't have to if they don't want to. I'm comfy with it either way.

Now, I do cover up in the steam room so others don't feel uncomfortable, but I am rethinking that. I've noticed old dudes don't over up and the 20s-40 year olds seem to be the only ones who care to, maybe we're paranoid. Guess old dudes may have just realized it's ok to let it all hang out sometimes. who knows.

z

WhyFi wrote: [quote=Z][quote=Carnivore]Did you ever consider that the ladies you're "blatantly checking out" might feel the same way about your attention that you feel about the smiling guys?

If you mean that the ladies I'm checking out might feel flattered, as I feel when being smiled at by the guys, then yes, I have considered that.

In that case, has it also occurred to you that not everyone has a frail ego that has to be pumped up by a complete stranger?

Slightly bitter this afternoon? Lighten up, sweetheart. Here's where we disagree: I don't think you need to have low self-esteem in order to feel complimented or flattered. Consider that there is a threshold that exists between 1) appreciating someone's beauty and 2) perverted ogling. Anyway, sometimes I smile and they smile back; usually they don't notice or don't care; either way, my headphones are on full blast in order to drown out the repetitive garbage they blast on their PA system, like 90% of the other NYSC patrons do. Which explains why meeting singles at the gym is generally a difficult place to make a new acquaintance, though I agree that in theory it should be a practical place for that. The sweaty semi-nakedness and all.

whyfi

Z wrote: [quote=WhyFi]In that case, has it also occurred to you that not everyone has a frail ego that has to be pumped up by a complete stranger?

Slightly bitter this afternoon? Lighten up, sweetheart. Here's where we disagree: I don't think you need to have low self-esteem in order to feel complimented or flattered. Consider that there is a threshold that exists between 1) appreciating someone's beauty and 2) perverted ogling. Anyway, sometimes I smile and they smile back; usually they don't notice or don't care; either way, my headphones are on full blast in order to drown out the repetitive garbage they blast on their PA system, like 90% of the other NYSC patrons do. Which explains why meeting singles at the gym is generally a difficult place to make a new acquaintance, though I agree that in theory it should be a practical place for that. The sweaty semi-nakedness and all.

Who you callin' 'sweetheart,' Sally?

Sure, a threshold DOES exist, but when you say, "blatantly check out the ladies," it's kinda clear that you've crossed the threshold of politeness. Put it this way, if you would object to someone giving your mother, sister or any other loved one a certain 'look,' you should probably avoid doing the same to other women.

anonymous

I stumbled upon an almost identical thread on a Japan-related forum. An American guy was wondering whether he got some of the gym etiquette wrong, since he usually got dirty looks and cold shouders from all patrons.

After a bit of probing by more experienced expats, it turns out he grunts loudly ('and there's no way I'm not going to grunt' he bragged beforehand) and leers (his word) at the 'cute aerobic girls'.

He's absolutely flabbergasted as to why he can't get any small talk going...

Here's a hint: drooling over the semi-naked ladies while you're grunting because you're such a big man lifting big weights is not going to do the trick.

kosherdave

dropjes wrote: I stumbled upon an almost identical thread on a Japan-related forum. An American guy was wondering whether he got some of the gym etiquette wrong, since he usually got dirty looks and cold shouders from all patrons.

After a bit of probing by more experienced expats, it turns out he grunts loudly ('and there's no way I'm not going to grunt' he bragged beforehand) and leers (his word) at the 'cute aerobic girls'.

He's absolutely flabbergasted as to why he can't get any small talk going...

Here's a hint: drooling over the semi-naked ladies while you're grunting because you're such a big man lifting big weights is not going to do the trick.

mmm, semi naked ladies... :P

marden

yeah, as a lady, gotta admit, i'm not a fan of attention at the gym unless we've got a reason to be speaking "are you done with this machine?" "hey you dropped your towel" "oh, i think that machine is broken," etc

beyond that, you have no reason to be looking at me or smiling at me cause like so many other women, i'm there to work out, lose weight, and half the time feel totally fat and blah. so obviously checking me out isn't really gonna make me like you much. could be my own issues, but they're common lady issues that i assure you other nyc womens have, too.

on the steam room issue, part of me almost wonders if the gyms should just accept that this happens and have 2 steam rooms - 1 for the steam room users and one for the recreational users. of course, i could only see that happening at say, david barton gym. and i couldn't see the health department jiving with it (they'd have to have some other pretense, for sure!)

kosherdave

marden wrote: "hey you dropped your towel"

Hmmm, is THAT how it starts in the steam room?? No wonder I have not had any luck! lol :idea: