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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH going to the gym on Christmas Day!

467 replies

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:11

For about 1.5 hours mid morning. A couple of his mates usually go and have roped him in.

He is into his fitness but surely people can give it a miss for one bloody day?!

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 22/12/2025 22:15

If it doesn't have any responsibilities that aren't in direct conflict with a gym session, why shouldn't he enjoy a fitness session on his bank holiday? It's only for an hour and a bit. I know people who go sea swimming in Penarth on Christmas Day morning because it will set them up for the rest of the day. Also isn't there an annual Serpentine Race in London? It's a bank holiday, a day to do what you enjoy.

swingingbytheseat · 22/12/2025 22:15

Tell him you’d rather he didn’t, are you invited ?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 22/12/2025 22:16

Do you have kids? Unless he’s ditching you with the kids who cares?

TooManyAnimals94 · 22/12/2025 22:17

I'm riding my horse on Christmas day. Is that any different?

sundaysurfing · 22/12/2025 22:18

If it’s not disrupting your day and if he agrees to allow you to have some time to yourself later in the day, should you wish, I think it’s a fun tradition he can do with his friends and it’s not for long. It’s Christmas which is about being with people that you love - that’s friends and family. Now of course, all of this is easy for me to say because it’s not my DP going off on Christmas Day to the gym with his mates lol.

Eudaimonia11 · 22/12/2025 22:19

I’ll be going to the gym on Christmas Day too. For me, Christmas is about doing whatever you want and enjoying yourself. I like exercising, it makes me feel good.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 22/12/2025 22:19

It seems quite a nice sociable thing to do, assuming he isn't supposed to be socialising with family or others at home that day.

Mintearo7 · 22/12/2025 22:19

More info needed - kids to look after and/ or dinner to prep for? I wouldn’t mind if my DH did that if not too much going on. I would do it myself if my local gym was open and my day wasn’t too busy. It’s good to keep healthy over Xmas.

MyAmusedPearlSquid · 22/12/2025 22:19

Do you have children

Dollybantree · 22/12/2025 22:22

If have dc’s then no way is this acceptable. Unless you are allowed to go and take a 90 minute bath on Christmas Day of course.

I’d also be a bit suspicious of anyone who claims to go to the gym on Christmas Day. Are you sure that’s where he is?

Pancakeflipper · 22/12/2025 22:23

I'm impressed the gym.is open. The ones near me are shut.

Shamesame · 22/12/2025 22:23

I love going for a Christmas Day run!

edwinbear · 22/12/2025 22:25

DS is doing Christmas Day ParkRun. Should set him up nicely for Christmas dinner! I’ll probably go along and watch, I reckon it will be god fun!

Makemeanonymous · 22/12/2025 22:25

I'm not a great one for Christmas but we do try and make Christmas day special and have our own family traditions on that day.

I think it's sad that your H prefers to go off with his pals an do an activity he does regularly throughout the year rather than spend the day with you.

It sounds as though you don't count for very much in the pecking order if his friends and the gym are more important to him than you on Christmas day

atamlin · 22/12/2025 22:26

I used to go running on Christmas morning, same thing isn’t it? I only stopped because I got pregnant but I’d like to start again.

TheChosenTwo · 22/12/2025 22:26

My gym is shut on Christmas Day and even if it wasn’t I wouldn’t be going - our Christmas Day is very busy and we’re hosting for 30, there won’t be a spare 10 minutes to do anything let alone hour and a half! In an ideal world I’d love an hour to go for an outdoor swim but I’m doing it on Friday instead.

what were your plans for Christmas Day supposed to look like before he announced he was going out?

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:27

1DD age 19 months. My parents will be here too so not just me left with DD

OP posts:
JoannaTheYodelingCowgirl · 22/12/2025 22:28

Are gyms even open on christmas day?? Confused

Dollybantree · 22/12/2025 22:28

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:27

1DD age 19 months. My parents will be here too so not just me left with DD

I wouldn’t be impressed at all.

What would he say if you suggested similar ie. Just off for a walk by myself dp? He’d think it weird, no?

Howardyoudo · 22/12/2025 22:28

Why can’t he just do the next day? Yanbu im sure he could find something to do at home?

Mrsclausemunchingonamincepie · 22/12/2025 22:29

Nobody hearing alarm bells?

Whaleandsnail6 · 22/12/2025 22:29

Is he ducking out of hosting/cooking responsibility by going or will he be back in time for all of that?

If hes going at a time after present opening and before the cooking starts then I wouldn't have an issue with it... I'd be happy to spend time with lo and my parents and him go and have fun.

Barney16 · 22/12/2025 22:29

I wish my gym was open on Xmas day.

Christmaseree · 22/12/2025 22:30

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:27

1DD age 19 months. My parents will be here too so not just me left with DD

It may be nice to have a couple of hours with just your parents and DC.

AvocadoJam · 22/12/2025 22:31

My DH does this and it is such a non issue

He goes every day and I'm bloody grateful that he is fit and takes care of himself

I'd rather a happy hil for 22 hours on xmas day, than a grump for 24

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