At my gym

[ThongDan]

I was at my gym this morning to swim some laps, as I try to do 2 or 3 times each week. Out of four guys in the outdoor lap pool, I was the only one NOT wearing a speedo (went with a jammer instead). Speedos are fairly common at my gym, though mostly on older guys, and I usually "mix it up" and wear a speedo on occasion, particularly when it's less busy. I'm pretty confident with my body, even though it's not the best, and for the most part don't really care about what others think.

However, what I'm most self-conscious of is my swimming ability, or lack thereof! While I'm not the worst swimmer in the world, I'm not particularly good or fast either. Most of the speedo-wearers are ridiculously good swimmers. I'm nervous to be "judged" not necessarily on my speedo itself, but on the fact that the expectation might be that I am a really good swimmer if I'm wearing a speedo. And if I'm not, it would leave people wondering what I was doing swimming in a speedo.

Secondary to that, the other thing that guides my choice of swimwear at the pool is how busy the locker room is. I think I'm a little more comfortable wearing my speedo in front of other swimmers, but non-swimmers might be more quick to "judge" when they see me throw one on in the locker room.

I know I should just treat my workout as my workout and really just ignore everything else, but these things still are always on my mind. Thoughts?

As a side story, I wore a speedo a number of weeks ago to swim laps and then hit the outdoor hot tub afterwards. After a few minutes, this HOT girl about 24-25 and wearing a fantastic black one-piece gets in (this is not going where you think/hope it is) and strikes up a conversation. I'm married, and as it turned out she had a boyfriend, but we spoke for some time and I sat there wearing my speedo confidently. Not sure if she could tell I was wearing one, but I noticed that she was sort of turning her head away when we got out, maybe not wanting to look. But at any rate, maybe that evening I helped to change whatever assumptions or preconceived notions she might have had about speedo-wearing guys!

[diveguy]

Funny, I have always had the same thoughts about wearing a speedo but not being a good swimmer or one with a lot of stamina. It would be like stepping on the tennis court with the most expensive racket or going out on the golf course with the most expensive set of clubs, then embarrassing yourself by being terrible at those sports after setting up everyone's expectations because of the equipment you bring. Luckily, a Speedo isn't going to set you back as much money as the tennis or golf scenarios! One more reason to love speedos I guess! I like your game plan to wear jammers until you become as good and as strong a swimmer as you want to be in order to rock a speedo with genuine confidence of your newfound athletic ability. And I like your confidence to wear your speedo for its own sake whenever you feel like it, and who cares what "non-swimmers" think.

[fbanks]

The swimmers will get it and respect you ... and screw what the non-swimmers think! Although I had worn a Speedo for ages at the beach and tanning myself, I was sort of shy about it at the pool, worried what others think. I found myself moving quickly through the shower, covering up with a pair of shorts for the long walk from the locker room to the pool deck, quickly getting in and out of the pool, and it didn't help that I knew I was not the best swimmer, but I just endured. Hard work ... endless laps ... day after day ... and after some time, I became comfortable in my own skin and a damn good swimmer! Sooner than I could imagine, I had no problem wearing the Speedo. Walking down the hall, goggles in hand, towel around the neck, talking to people I knew, hanging in the warming pool, the hot tub, the locker room, in only a Speedo. Doing forty laps non-stop, flipping my turns, I actually got lots of comments on my swimming ... and nobody bothered me at all. I once heard a story of some new guy dissing me behind my back, but found out that he was quickly schooled by the regulars in the locker room. Keep it up!

[DrD]

I'm the same not a great swimmer and I certainly don't have the stamina of some of the other swimmers but I wear my speedos proudly and swim the best I can. No one has every said anything nor have I noticed anyone watching or me or making rude comments. Most just assume I'm there for fitness (which I am) and it's nice to at least feel safe and secure in my choice.
Australian culture doesn't have the same aversion to speedos at least at the pool for laps... so I'm happy about that!
Be yourself and wear whatever you want... most people won't judge and some might even respect you for it - even while they wear there long board shorts!

[ffboy357]

There is no rule that one should be a good swimmer in order to wear spedoos.
You can wear them even if you can't swim - I suppose.

Anyhow, I understand what are you saying here - I kinda feel the same when I go out cycling.
I am not the best cyclist and I am often passed by guys who do 25 km/h on steep hills where I barely manage to go with 12 km/h.

But you know - it doesn't matter. It is often that these guys say "Hello" to me with a smile while whizzing by me.
So, I think - they appreciate my effort.

And also, there's a French joke - that no matter how skilled you are - your equipement should look like you are the world champion :)

[ThongDan]

Hey, thanks all for the feedback. I continue to see a mix of about 50/50 speedos vs. non, which has increased more recently - perhaps it's starting to catch on. At least I don't feel completely out of place wearing one. Sometimes it's just a matter being more comfortable once we all see each other wearing speedos more often!

[dhs]

I'm the same not a great swimmer and I certainly don't have the stamina of some of the other swimmers but I wear my speedos proudly and swim the best I can. No one has every said anything nor have I noticed anyone watching or me or making rude comments. Most just assume I'm there for fitness (which I am) and it's nice to at least feel safe and secure in my choice.
Australian culture doesn't have the same aversion to speedos at least at the pool for laps... so I'm happy about that!
Be yourself and wear whatever you want... most people won't judge and some might even respect you for it - even while they wear there long board shorts!

love that suit, what brand and where did you get it? chuck from usa

[DrD]

I'm the same not a great swimmer and I certainly don't have the stamina of some of the other swimmers but I wear my speedos proudly and swim the best I can. No one has every said anything nor have I noticed anyone watching or me or making rude comments. Most just assume I'm there for fitness (which I am) and it's nice to at least feel safe and secure in my choice.
Australian culture doesn't have the same aversion to speedos at least at the pool for laps... so I'm happy about that!
Be yourself and wear whatever you want... most people won't judge and some might even respect you for it - even while they wear there long board shorts!

love that suit, what brand and where did you get it? chuck from usa

It's the Super Hero from AussieBum.. 100% Polyester... so good and comfortable!

[DrD]

I'm the same not a great swimmer and I certainly don't have the stamina of some of the other swimmers but I wear my speedos proudly and swim the best I can. No one has every said anything nor have I noticed anyone watching or me or making rude comments. Most just assume I'm there for fitness (which I am) and it's nice to at least feel safe and secure in my choice.
Australian culture doesn't have the same aversion to speedos at least at the pool for laps... so I'm happy about that!
Be yourself and wear whatever you want... most people won't judge and some might even respect you for it - even while they wear there long board shorts!

love that suit, what brand and where did you get it? chuck from usa

and here is the link! http://www.aussiebum.com/swimwear/2307/hero