I used the baths for the first time only a couple of weeks ago
when I visited London for the weekend, and it was a brilliant,
comfortable experience. I use the sauna at my local health
club nude, as do a number of other members, but a significant
number of them still wear swimwear, which can be a little uncomfortable at times.
At first, I was a little reticent about stripping off but after seeing other guys casually walking back and forth from the baths
to the relaxation area completely naked, I immediately relaxed, grabbed my towel and went into the steam room. Then a shower,
then to the plunge pool for a cool down, and then to the hot
rooms, and finally dozing off in the relaxation area, lying on
a bed or chair naked without a care in the world.
Repeat as required for three hours. Blissful.
The nudity is definitely the defining, most wonderfully relaxing
part of the experience. Everyone is
naked, equal, non-judgmental
and totally unself-conscious. Naturally, all men – straight or gay
– do check each other out when we are naked together. Every
man would admit this if they were honest. I could see other men looking at my penis as I relaxed. I in turn would occasionally
glance at another man's genitals – the man sitting opposite me
in the hot room, the guy sitting in the next chair etc. But it was
simply in the spirit of mutual appreciation of each other's nudity – the atmosphere was completely non-sexual. I felt not only cleansed all over but quietly accepted by the other men in the baths even thought actual conversation was minimal. The old-fashioned ambience
and the slightly shabby feel of the décor actually was charming and comforting, and again enhanced the experience.
Just as I discover the baths, I am disappointed to learn that they are to be shut down for refurbishment so plan to try to get
down to London as often as I can and make use of the facility. I hope the clothing optional status remains until it is closed and obviously
continues when the baths re-open for business. I am of the opinion that on single sex days, nude swimming and sauna should also be made available, but obviously this would be highly unlikely.
I am dismayed by the female manager's attitude. The adoption of compulsory swimwear in the baths after refurbishment is simply ludicrous and shows a fundamental ignorance of the purpose of the baths, and that communal nudity is an essential part of that single sex experience.
* Sitting down, sweating into a swimming costume is quite simply unhygienic and does not promote relaxation or cleanliness whatsoever.
* Even in my local health club, where roughly half of the male membership chose to use the changing room sauna wearing towels and trunks, female staff members are still not permitted to enter the
men's facilities, to save embarrassment in case they walk on naked men showering and changing. The same obviously applies to male staff and the women's areas. The woman manager in charge has arranged the rosters so both male and female staff are at work at any one time to deal with any problems.
Any chance of protesting at the plans, or perhaps simply ignore them and continue to use the baths naked??
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