So I moved to japan for university a few days ago and I like to do weightlifting at the gym. I don’t want to look awkward or embarrassing at the gym so I would like some general tips for going to gyms in Japan and what the culture there is like? I also want to know if wearing leggings are acceptable because I’ve heard you should wear shorts over them.
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Leggings are acceptable. I saw some women who almost wore panties. Sporty panties though.
I go to gym three times a week, always wear my leggings (without short shorts on top) and a t-shirt. Completely acceptable, I don’t usually get stared at as everyone is busy with their workouts. I see some women working out with sports bras frequently, never saw them being harassed either. On my first couple of weeks, I asked help from random gym bros for adjusting gym equipment, they were helpful and respectful.
Dressing room isn’t very different, all women mind their own business. (Nobody stares when you’re changing)
I lift kettlebells and dumbbells, use gym machinery, do those mildly inappropriate pilates moves, sometimes people have this initial shock of seeing a visibly gaijin woman in their gym but they quickly adjust to that and go back to their workout after a few seconds.
My experience may not be the norm as I usually go to this gym with my big, very visibly gaijin husband who scares the shit out of everyone around.
Edit: Just don’t wear leggings outside. Shorts on top of leggings is usually for hiking, running, jogging eg. when you’re outside
If you have an Anytime or other chain popular with foreigners it might be easier to find a workout partner or someone to spot you
If you’re dressed properly, no one says anything to you. If you aren’t dressed properly, no one says anything to you either because they won’t want to engage in a conversation with you.
People don’t care much about what passerbys are wearing in the first place.
Also don’t think it’s been mentioned yet but a unisex thing to be aware of is that some (most?) gyms here require you to use non-outdoor gym shoes. They don’t want things to get dirty so they request you use a pair you don’t wear outside.
Depending on the place, they may have a no tattoo policy. Some gyms will have signage up but not enforce it. Shoes were mentioned. Some of the gyms ask you to not use soap… honestly, I ignore that. Other than that, I can’t think of any differences between here and the US.
I’m a professor here and sometimes use the university gym. It is atrocious. The city gyms that I sometimes go to are better. Some of them will have sign ups for equipment. If you’re not going to the university gym search for 市民体育館. The ones in Fukuoka city have a free charge card you can get that gives you an extra 100 yen for every 1,000 you charge. I’m not sure if this is the same across the country.
Most folks keep to themselves. A lot of older folks at the community gym near me come over and try to chat. I try to be polite but let them know that I don’t have a lot of time/need to get my workout done.
I’ve only been to anytime fitness gyms in some parts of the country, but what I noticed is that everyone sort of keeps to themselves and I rarely saw random chit chats. so I never noticed women get unwanted attention either, since there mostly wasn’t any interaction at all.
You don’t have to wear shorts over them. Some girls do that but not all. I have even worn just sport bras which I also have seen Japanese girls do. It’s never been a problem. (Though I don’t know if all gyms here allow that). Just make sure you be respectful, clean up after yourself and wipe down the machines.
Depends on what type of gym you go to. If you go to one with a pool included it’s usually full of oldies with tons of free time who just hang out at the gym and chat to everyone.
At Anytime fitness, people mind their own business. Especially post Covid, there’s usually zero socializing / random chitchat.