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Original poster

Do you, or anyone you know go to the gym on Christmas Day?

84 replies

AtleastitsnotMonday · 20/12/2019 21:41

I’ve just noticed our gym is open until 1400 Christmas Day. I really can’t image who would go! Maybe those who don’t celebrate Christmas, but this gym is in an area which has little ethnic diversity, to the point that I don’t actually know anyone who doesn’t celebrate it. Maybe childless couples or single people, people with an exercise addiction? Or maybe people who get new trainers or plan to work off the calories they intend to consume.
I just can’t see enough people going to make it profitable.

OP posts:
itssquidstella · 21/12/2019 00:46

I haven't ever been to the gym on Christmas Day but I've been for a run. It's nice to get some fresh air and clear my head before all the drinking and eating begins!

I won't get the chance this year but I'll be in the gym on Christmas Eve and will probably work out at home on Boxing Day, followed by a walk (and a pub lunch!).

GetTheSprinkles · 21/12/2019 00:48

My DH and his friends do as a tradition. They are big gym goers anyway.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 21/12/2019 01:07

I would but mine isn't open.

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MelAndShoe · 21/12/2019 01:10

I'll do parkrun on Christmas day

UnitedRoad · 21/12/2019 01:12

Not the gym, but my dad couldn’t handle Christmas when we were young (abandoned as a little boy, brought up in kids homes, then in his own from early teens). He took himself out of the house completely and would do things like take the dog for a walk in Wales (we lived in north east Surrey). He’d still have unopened Christmas presents in March.

Not everyone can cope with Christmas.

Barbeasty · 21/12/2019 08:02

My gym is a 24/7 one, only staffed for certain hours. You need a key fob to get in, and they film the entries so they can check it’s the registered user.

I normally go around 5.30/6am before work and the only staff I ever see is the cleaner. Maybe a PT but they aren’t directly employed by the gym.

I doubt I’ll go on Christmas Day, because it’s a short drive near the station rather than home. But, like others, I’m hoping I can go for a run because it’s a day I can fit it in while DH is there to look after the children.

HeavilyCaffeinatedHannah · 21/12/2019 08:21

I don't always manage it, but starting Christmas Day with a cycle ride/walk is lovely. If there was a gym open or parkrun nearby I'd go - a good way to have some calm and clear the head before festive chaos.

RidgedPerfection · 21/12/2019 08:23

I go for a run early every Christmas morning; it's a part of Christmas that I love. When I have been on duty at work over Christmas I have also gone to the gym as it's just an ordinary working day in that situation.

drivingtofrance · 21/12/2019 08:34

I would if it was open.

Will go for a run locally, or if I can get up in time will head for the Christmas Parkrun.

No young DC here so we have time for ourselves.

Knucklehead101 · 21/12/2019 09:27

If by the gym you mean two glasses of Buck’s Fizz and ten mince pies by 10am, then yes I’m all about that life

spottygymbag · 21/12/2019 09:34

My friend and her family go to the gym together on Christmas morning. Not a crazy intense workout but definitely a decent one. It's just what they've always done, now the kids partners/spouses go along too. We go for a family run in the morning (gym doesn't work for us with a toddler) and it's a lovely way to start the day together.

SpinsterofArts · 21/12/2019 09:39

I'll be there. I go to a 24/7 gym which is open but unstaffed over Christmas. The rest of my family likes to have a long lie-in on Christmas morning, but I don't, so I like the idea of going to the gym early. Before I was a member of this gym, I used to go on a long walk on Christmas Day instead.

Also, I love lifting, so a good gym session puts me in a great mood for the rest of the day. Christmas can be stressful, so it's good to have something to counter that.

Greenteandchives · 21/12/2019 09:42

I would go but mine is closed on Christmas Day. We go for an early run instead wearing festive gear. There is great camaraderie on the streets and we go home feeling we’ve earned a few indulgences.
Back in the gym on Boxing Day.

Pilot12 · 21/12/2019 09:47

There are several religions that don't celebrate Christmas, there are people for whom Christmas Day is a normal working day and part of their day might be a trip to the gym, there are people who are spending the day alone who might fancy getting out and seeing other faces for a while, people who are feeling a little stressed and fancy working it off, people who are getting under their partners feet and need to escape for an hour, athletes that need to train Christmas Day or not.

If it concerns you that much why not go yourself and see how busy it is?!

SimonJT · 21/12/2019 09:51

I would if I was at home, I’m not though and the gym that will be near me isn’t 24/7. I’ll go for a run and do my daily insanity session instead.

ForalltheSaints · 21/12/2019 09:52

A few years ago on the way to church we spotted a footballer going for a run. They were an English international player.

SimonJT · 21/12/2019 09:54

@Gwenhwyfar You do realise that lots of people don’t celebrate xmas. Saying someone has an addiction because they exercise on xmas day is just as silly as saying someone who exercises on diwali has an addiction.

SunshineInMySprocket · 21/12/2019 10:03

We celebrate Christmas and my husband always goes to the gym on Christmas Day (unless we have travelled somewhere where the gym is closed). He is working a half day on Christmas Day this year so might not make it.

IM0GEN · 21/12/2019 10:16

Talking of addictions, I know some people who are so addicted to TV they even watch it on Christmas Day!!! Even though they see it the other 374 days a year.

Runningonempty84 · 21/12/2019 10:20

Not the gym, but I'll be going for a run, and I'll love it. Last year we did Christmas parkrun as a family, so may well do the same again.

Runningonempty84 · 21/12/2019 10:20

Talking of addictions, I know some people who are so addicted to TV they even watch it on Christmas Day!!!

This. In spades.

Birthdaycakeandicecream · 21/12/2019 10:21

I can see it might be nice for people without family. Bit shit for the staff, though.

Pixxie7 · 21/12/2019 10:22

Considering there are people who don’t celebrate Christmas I think it’s great.

saraclara · 21/12/2019 10:27

The OP has already said that her area isn't ethnically diverse. So assuming that the gym has staff that are going to have to work on Christmas Day, I'd say it's unnecessary for it to be open.

SimonJT · 21/12/2019 10:28

@saraclara In what way is ethnicity relevant? Lots of non-white people celebrate xmas, lots of white people don’t celebrate xmas.