How can I speed up changing before and after the gym.
November 11, 2010 11:17 AM Subscribe
I'm frustrated by the amount of time it takes me to change before and after the gym. What are your best gym prep shortcuts?
I have a small basket which is just barely large enough to fit a pair of sneakers, my workout notebook, a pair of flip-flops, the towel that we must keep in the basket at all times, and a toiletry bag. I can use a locker for the day by checking out a lock from the towel exchange window, or by dumping all my stuff from the basket in the locker and using my basket lock. They recently started enforcing an irritating policy that patrons cannot use their own locks, so now I have to wait in line to get another lock every time. I usually have a jacket and a backpack with a change of clothes, and with my street shoes the locker gets pretty full when I shower (which slows down access to the change of clothes).
Anyone figured out any littlehacks tricks for getting this stuff done quickly and efficiently?
I have a small basket which is just barely large enough to fit a pair of sneakers, my workout notebook, a pair of flip-flops, the towel that we must keep in the basket at all times, and a toiletry bag. I can use a locker for the day by checking out a lock from the towel exchange window, or by dumping all my stuff from the basket in the locker and using my basket lock. They recently started enforcing an irritating policy that patrons cannot use their own locks, so now I have to wait in line to get another lock every time. I usually have a jacket and a backpack with a change of clothes, and with my street shoes the locker gets pretty full when I shower (which slows down access to the change of clothes).
Anyone figured out any little
Response by poster: The best time for me to go to the gym is before work in the morning.
posted by grouse at 11:21 AM on November 11, 2010
posted by grouse at 11:21 AM on November 11, 2010
Change gyms? (I realize that this may not be possible.) I rent a small locker for $8 per month and then we have access to larger day lockers, which have 4-digit locks on them.
Depending on where you are, the system your gym uses seems antiquated.
posted by Danf at 11:21 AM on November 11, 2010
Depending on where you are, the system your gym uses seems antiquated.
posted by Danf at 11:21 AM on November 11, 2010
If this is at the IMA at UW, I can totally relate. If you have showers at work, just take a bunch of clothes in to your office on the weekend, and wear your gym clothes to the gym, shower at work, and then change in your office. It's easier than trying to cram everything into those tiny little baskets or transferring from a basket into a locker and hoping things don't get wrinkled.
posted by proj at 11:22 AM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by proj at 11:22 AM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: This is a university gym. It's possible to use a different gym, but only at much expense and inconvenience. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
posted by grouse at 11:23 AM on November 11, 2010
posted by grouse at 11:23 AM on November 11, 2010
How long does it take you to change?
posted by nomadicink at 11:27 AM on November 11, 2010
posted by nomadicink at 11:27 AM on November 11, 2010
Can you bring the entire basket with you into the shower? Or just the backpack? How big an issue is security--do you really need to lock sweaty gym clothes or could you maybe skip that?
Are you showing up in the gym clothes, is that the deal?
What can you do at work, discreetly? I'm female, so when pressed I'll go the distance, straightening my hair and putting make up on while I'm waiting for Outlook to load, which at our place takes ten years. But can you do toothbrushing and deodorant putting on at work?
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:30 AM on November 11, 2010
Are you showing up in the gym clothes, is that the deal?
What can you do at work, discreetly? I'm female, so when pressed I'll go the distance, straightening my hair and putting make up on while I'm waiting for Outlook to load, which at our place takes ten years. But can you do toothbrushing and deodorant putting on at work?
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:30 AM on November 11, 2010
It's all about the 'order of operations' of what goes into the locker.
- Go to the gym in your gym clothes and street shoes, so that you only have to change clothes after, not before. (Well, you'll still have to change shoes before).
- Keep all the stuff that's in your basket that you don't actually need at the beginning of your workout (like your flip flops, etc) in a mesh bag. When you get to the gym (in your gym clothes), first put your work clothes in the locker (still in the gym bag you brought them in), then the mesh bag that contains everything from your basket that you're not taking with you to work out, and lock the locker with the lock from your basket.
- When you're done working out, you can take everything out in the order you need it: put your runners in the basket, retrieve the mesh bag and use the stuff in you need (i'm guessing shower stuff). When you're done showering, but your mesh bag in the basket. Then pull your gymbag out of the locker and get dressed.
posted by Kololo at 11:36 AM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
- Go to the gym in your gym clothes and street shoes, so that you only have to change clothes after, not before. (Well, you'll still have to change shoes before).
- Keep all the stuff that's in your basket that you don't actually need at the beginning of your workout (like your flip flops, etc) in a mesh bag. When you get to the gym (in your gym clothes), first put your work clothes in the locker (still in the gym bag you brought them in), then the mesh bag that contains everything from your basket that you're not taking with you to work out, and lock the locker with the lock from your basket.
- When you're done working out, you can take everything out in the order you need it: put your runners in the basket, retrieve the mesh bag and use the stuff in you need (i'm guessing shower stuff). When you're done showering, but your mesh bag in the basket. Then pull your gymbag out of the locker and get dressed.
posted by Kololo at 11:36 AM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
I cycle to the gym, so I don't need to change beforehand other than slipping on a different pair of pants. After showering, I iron a shirt while my body and deodorant dry a tiny bit more in the air, so considering that ironing is something I have to do sometime anyway, this seems an efficient way of doing it.
Your problem sounds like it's all about the locker size & the lock-&-key rigmarole, though. Can you use a small padlock to secure your backpack closed & then chain it to something, like the legs of the changing benches?
Alternately, can you organise it so that you don't actually take anything of value to the gym? (maybe just your door key & a swipe pass for work - I do something like this when I go to the pool or beach to swim). People normally aren't interested in stealing clothes or shoes.
posted by UbuRoivas at 11:42 AM on November 11, 2010
Your problem sounds like it's all about the locker size & the lock-&-key rigmarole, though. Can you use a small padlock to secure your backpack closed & then chain it to something, like the legs of the changing benches?
Alternately, can you organise it so that you don't actually take anything of value to the gym? (maybe just your door key & a swipe pass for work - I do something like this when I go to the pool or beach to swim). People normally aren't interested in stealing clothes or shoes.
posted by UbuRoivas at 11:42 AM on November 11, 2010
talc/baby powder to get you dryer/fresher quicker while you're dealing with all this?
posted by runincircles at 11:52 AM on November 11, 2010
posted by runincircles at 11:52 AM on November 11, 2010
It seems like your problem is more of getting lock/arranging your stuff problem as opposed to a getting ready issue, correct? Without knowing the details of what is absolutely necessary in your routine, and what you must do before or after going to the gym, here are some suggestions:
1. Don't use a lock at all. Take your keys/wallet with you while you work out, and leave your clothes and shoes. People probably won't take those. I would even suggest you leave your bag in your basket, just so it doesn't even LOOK like you left anything valuable in your day locker.
2. A possible hack: Can you get a lock that looks just like the gym locker? How about just keeping the gym locker (I assume this is not possible, but I'm just curious)?
3. Like mentioned before, arrive in gym clothes so you only have to change out afterwards.
posted by lacedcoffee at 12:10 PM on November 11, 2010
1. Don't use a lock at all. Take your keys/wallet with you while you work out, and leave your clothes and shoes. People probably won't take those. I would even suggest you leave your bag in your basket, just so it doesn't even LOOK like you left anything valuable in your day locker.
2. A possible hack: Can you get a lock that looks just like the gym locker? How about just keeping the gym locker (I assume this is not possible, but I'm just curious)?
3. Like mentioned before, arrive in gym clothes so you only have to change out afterwards.
posted by lacedcoffee at 12:10 PM on November 11, 2010
What type of work do you have to do? Are you a student? Are you really smelly after a workout, or do you just feel sweaty?
I workout at the gym on my campus, and I have little time to schedule workout+changing. I wear about half my gym clothes, and change into shorts/shoes once I get there. I don't get terribly smelly, so I just brush my hair and change into street clothes, and off I go. Of course, I'm a student, so I don't have to look all snappy in class. I shower when I get home. If you have the type of atmosphere where you can get away with street clothes and sorta messy hair, I'd try that.
posted by shinyshiny at 12:23 PM on November 11, 2010
I workout at the gym on my campus, and I have little time to schedule workout+changing. I wear about half my gym clothes, and change into shorts/shoes once I get there. I don't get terribly smelly, so I just brush my hair and change into street clothes, and off I go. Of course, I'm a student, so I don't have to look all snappy in class. I shower when I get home. If you have the type of atmosphere where you can get away with street clothes and sorta messy hair, I'd try that.
posted by shinyshiny at 12:23 PM on November 11, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! I do show up in gym clothes when possible.
Can you get a lock that looks just like the gym locker?
Their locks are standard Master combination locks engraved with "UWIM" on the raised part of the dial and coated in white, just like the combination digits. Where would I be able to get my lock engraved like this? A machine shop? I might consider this option.
How about just keeping the gym locker (I assume this is not possible, but I'm just curious)?
Locks are removed at the end of the day. That's why they want us to use their locks, so the gym staff won't have to be inconvenienced by using bolt cutters. They are looking for non-UWIM locks during the day and threatening to cut them off.
posted by grouse at 12:25 PM on November 11, 2010
Can you get a lock that looks just like the gym locker?
Their locks are standard Master combination locks engraved with "UWIM" on the raised part of the dial and coated in white, just like the combination digits. Where would I be able to get my lock engraved like this? A machine shop? I might consider this option.
How about just keeping the gym locker (I assume this is not possible, but I'm just curious)?
Locks are removed at the end of the day. That's why they want us to use their locks, so the gym staff won't have to be inconvenienced by using bolt cutters. They are looking for non-UWIM locks during the day and threatening to cut them off.
posted by grouse at 12:25 PM on November 11, 2010
Can you wear your sneakers in and out of the gym and leave your street shoes in the car? Then store your sneakers in your car whenever you are not at the gym. That would free up a little room in your locker.
Also, is there any way you can take your work clothes to the shower area with you and change there? My gym has hooks outside the shower stalls that I use to hang the clothes I am going to put on after-shower.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:27 PM on November 11, 2010
Also, is there any way you can take your work clothes to the shower area with you and change there? My gym has hooks outside the shower stalls that I use to hang the clothes I am going to put on after-shower.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:27 PM on November 11, 2010
Response by poster: I don't have a car. I am taking the bus straight to the gym and then walking to work. Taking more of my clothes to the shower area is an interesting idea. I don't think there are dry hooks near the shower area, but I will look.
posted by grouse at 12:29 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by grouse at 12:29 PM on November 11, 2010
Have you tried upping the intensity of your workouts so you get as sweaty but in less time? (Shamelessly stolen from here.)
posted by Dano St at 12:31 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by Dano St at 12:31 PM on November 11, 2010
How about discussing it with the gym staff? Tell them what a pain in the arse it is, and see if you can leave a deposit & just keep the lock on you so you don't have to check it out & in every time you visit the gym.
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:35 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:35 PM on November 11, 2010
Maybe you can social-engineer a compromise with a desk worker if you go there at a slow time. Maybe a loaner UWIM lock in exchange for a case of beer.
posted by chazlarson at 12:36 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by chazlarson at 12:36 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
Or maybe use a standard Master lock of your own but put it on upside down so the dial isn't immediately visible. The guy checking locks might not be motivated enough to lift the thing up to verify its provenance.
posted by chazlarson at 12:38 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by chazlarson at 12:38 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
Will your shoes get taken if left out of the locker? Shoes are bulky.
posted by caddis at 12:49 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by caddis at 12:49 PM on November 11, 2010
I don't think there are dry hooks near the shower area, but I will look.
If there are no hooks available, you might also want to check and see if there is a place you could hang an over-door hook. I keep one in my toiletry bag to hang over the wall of the shower stall on the inside so I don't have to set my bag on the wet bench... if you could find a place to hang it to the outside (over the shower curtain bar, maybe? assuming there is one) you could hang your clothes there.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:50 PM on November 11, 2010
If there are no hooks available, you might also want to check and see if there is a place you could hang an over-door hook. I keep one in my toiletry bag to hang over the wall of the shower stall on the inside so I don't have to set my bag on the wet bench... if you could find a place to hang it to the outside (over the shower curtain bar, maybe? assuming there is one) you could hang your clothes there.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:50 PM on November 11, 2010
They are looking for non-UWIM locks during the day and threatening to cut them off.
Get cheap locks. Use them. If they're cut off, so what, they're cheap.
posted by nomadicink at 12:50 PM on November 11, 2010
Get cheap locks. Use them. If they're cut off, so what, they're cheap.
posted by nomadicink at 12:50 PM on November 11, 2010
Oh, and maybe wear your sneakers to and from the gym and store a pair of street shoes at work?
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:51 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:51 PM on November 11, 2010
Response by poster: I discussed the lock policy with the locker room manager and he said that it was set at a higher level. I intend to e-mail an assistant director of the gym about it.
posted by grouse at 12:53 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by grouse at 12:53 PM on November 11, 2010
In the meantime, is there anything preventing you from accidentally taking a lock home at the end of one of your sessions, and just using that from now on? How rigorous are their procedures?
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:55 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:55 PM on November 11, 2010
Response by poster: They require my staff ID as a deposit and I need it for use as a bus pass. The locks are all stored in individual cubbyholes by the staff, so it is trivial for them to see which ones are missing.
posted by grouse at 1:01 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by grouse at 1:01 PM on November 11, 2010
Ah, it is the IMA. You can check out a lock for the quarter at the second window. Then you can just transfer your basket contents to the lockers next to them. That's what I do and you don't have to check out a lock every day then.
posted by proj at 1:08 PM on November 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by proj at 1:08 PM on November 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
And then just use your basket lock (because your basket is now empty) on the locker.
posted by proj at 1:10 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by proj at 1:10 PM on November 11, 2010
Echoing what some others have said... It's actually fastest to just keep everything with you. If your workout doesn't require you to move around much and the gym doesn't disallow it, just take your whole backpack with you to change, workout, change. If there's anything wet or stuff that you need to access frequently, keep it in a little bag that you can just keep right by your side. Backpack goes to a place where you can keep an eye on it.
posted by bread-eater at 4:25 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by bread-eater at 4:25 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's not like I work out anymore, but when I used to (and hope to in the near future), I would wear my workout clothes to bed, and then just pop up, brush my teeth, tie my hair up in a ponytail and be out the door. I generally wear yoga clothes to work out which is conveniently what I wear to sleep in . . . so this may or may not work for you.
posted by defreckled at 8:14 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by defreckled at 8:14 PM on November 11, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:19 AM on November 11, 2010 [2 favorites]