If you exercise/go to the gym a lot, do you have a complete break over Christmas?

[2025already]

I’m talking a whole two weeks off!

It’s cold, rainy, lots going on with family etc and some of the classes are not on at the gym so I haven’t been and won’t go until Monday. Is it normal to not do a thing for two weeks? I haven’t been doing nice long walks either as teen dc aren’t interested and it’s too much effort to drag them.

If you exercise a lot, do you still manage to do
keep it up at this time of year?

It's totally fine to have a break when you want to. I've kept it up with the gym but a bit less frequent than usual. Been walking quite a lot so still moving. Will be back to normal routine from this Friday

I had most of December off & went back this morning. The gym was practically empty, it was wonderful.

I’m easing back in gently - 2/3 of my usual workout today, whole thing next visit.

I’ve done no gym time or PT sessions for nearly two weeks but have been skiing each day so happy with levels of exercise.

I am a parkrunner so get two extras at this time of year. Also training for a 10K this Sunday so keeping the plan going. My track session and weight class is on a Wednesday so I have missed two each of those but kept up my daily weights mist days.

I keep going right up to the end of December then I give it a break for January because its just too busy. I do more running in jan then go back to weights in mid Feb onwards.

No. I didn’t want to. But my gym was shut Xmas day and Boxing Day and today. I am better when I keep going.

I have never done a Jan at the gym so I am worried. I go at 6am. Will it be busy then?

No, I've kept up the classes that are still running. Did spinning on 23rd and back in on 27th.

Not totally. I've been doing parkrun, plus a couple extra to keep me ticking over.
Went on a grotty rainy 5k walk / jog this morning.

I'll add that that's only because I like it, and it makes me feel better and helps keep the aches and pains at bay. If I want a week or two off, I'll have it. I'm not fit or thin, I just like spin/yoga/swimming.

I keep going because I WANT to. A 2 week break is fine. When I've had a break like that in the past I always find it benefits me and I make good progress when I get back to it

Still done something 6 out of 7 days a week. Turns out Christmas dinner is good fuel for a cycle ride 😂 I have had one or two ‘lighter’ days where I haven’t been as strenuous as usual but I’ve pretty much kept up everything.
If you’ve taken a break, don’t put off going back but do dial it back a notch and ease back in gently. It’s good to have some r&r every now and again so it won’t have hurt.

I did a couple of days last week, and went on Monday this week. Gym had a half day yesterday and is closed today - I'll go tomorrow. I don't go at the weekends.

@Andtheworldwentwhite yes it's noticeably busier at my gym for the first couple of weeks of January, but it's usually back to normal by the end of the month.

I seem to have taken most of December off from daily running. Will get back into it in the next week.

I don't go to the gym in January as it is just too busy. Instead, I try and meet a friend for a walk most days as I find the fresh air & companionship help with the January blues. Fortunately, I discovered during lockdown that I have both friends who are willing to go for a pre-work walk in the dark (they tend to be the dog owners and the swimming parents) and friends who regularly work from home and are able to use their lunch break for a walk.

I'm having a bit of a break as my gym is closed but I have done one short bursts of exercises at home such as ten minutes of press ups, abs exercises and burpees so that I'm maintaining some fitness.

I also think it's absolutely fine to do nothing for two weeks.

I had a really bad cold a few weeks before Christmas so must have had two weeks off exercise then.

A break is fine but exercise always makes me feel so much better so I only had 2 days off

I think it is fine to take a break. I can’t do that, I go stir crazy. I usually go to classes or PT 6 days a week. Love it. The gym was closed for 3 days, absolutely the right decision for the staff, but I missed it terribly, even though I worked out at home.

But I am weirdly obsessive; it will not make any difference. Enjoy your break!

'I have never done a Jan at the gym so I am worried. I go at 6am. Will it be busy then?'

I think you'll be fine at that time. The evenings will probably be the busiest

I've had to go to different classes on different days that I wouldn't normally go to as my normal ones have been off or been virtual ones. Haven't done as many as usual.

Nope if anything I've worked out more as I've been WFH and had some time off. Dreading going back to work properly next week and trying to fit it in around 12 hour days 🥺😬

Not a complete break, no, but I have been going much less than I usually would. I normally go 7 days a week and have been averaging 3-4 times over the past couple of weeks. I think my body is thankful for a rest!

Been walking instead, often avoid early january as full of people with the new year resolution to attend gym and few weeks later its quieter again !

I've kept up as normal, but that's because I don't cope well out of my routine. I'd love to be able to say "sod it" and not go for a week, but it makes me so unhappy if I do.

It's fine and good for your health to take a break, everyone needs a rest sometimes.