I do love Christmas, really I do, but I’m already looking forward to being clear of all the indulgence and also the distractions of the season.

I am particularly looking forward to getting fit and healthy and not feeling constantly over fed like some battery chicken.

I realise it’s entirely my own choice to stuff myself with chocs and mince pies, but it is Christmas after all.

So I have been having a little look at what Clifton has to offer in terms of gyms and fitness facilities.

I do also have a goal in mind as I am planning to run the Edinburgh Marathon in May next year, so look out for updates about my training exploits once I finally get off my backside and start running again.

Personally I find it much easier to have a goal to train for and focus my fitness, as it were.

One of the first things to do of course is join a gym, and January/February is one of the peak times for places like the Nuffield gym on the triangle.

I was a member when it was Canons and I did used to enjoy going there, although for me, it did seem to be full of people who were a bit too young and beautiful looking to be needing the kind of work out I was struggling with. Friends of mine in less intellectual moments would suggest it might be a good place to meet women, but really, I wasn’t at my best breathing like a bellows and sweaty fat round face peering out over the exercise bike.

It does have a fantastic range of facilities with the bonus of a pool as well.

Rob J Smart is a keen user as he wrote the following review in our business directory: “For the biggest city in the South West, there aren’t many gyms or fitness centres in the centre of Bristol.

“The Nuffield Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Centre therefore has the immediate advantage of being one of the few within easy commute to most workers on their way to or from the office, with it being situated at the top of Park Street, on the south side of the Triangle. With a rather eye-wateringly high membership price of £50 per month, you would expect something above your average local leisure centre gym, and if you can afford it then you won’t be disappointed.

“The gym and fitness centre itself comes highly recommended by a number of national fitness publications, and has a stunning indoor heated pool and impressively equipped fitness centre. Best of all though the staff are fully trained health and fitness specialists, who give you regular health MOTs essentially, your hard-earned cash gets you what is pretty much a shared personal trainer.

“With Sky Sports, it’s a great post-work hangout as well, but that’s where the real downside comes in. Because it’s so good, it’s pretty popular, and at rush hour you’ll probably find that there aren’t enough lockers or treadmills to go round. However, this shouldn’t detract from what is a real first-class health and fitness centre, and well worth the money should you have it.”

If you prefer to do your training in the great outdoors Clifton is of course blessed with one of the greatest running areas in Bristol and possibly the South West in the Downs.

I spent a year training to run the London Marathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and most of it was on the Downs. It’s such a great open space and really is one of the reasons I think that I’ve stayed in Bristol all these years. It’s a bit tricky in the winter when it’s too dark  to run the whole way around, but it’s spectacular in the summer evenings and you really feel part of a running community with so many lycra-clad runners buzzing around at the same time.  I’ve also enjoyed running around the streets of Clifton in the past as you can just follow your nose and end up in all sorts of places you never knew existed.

Clifton also has a number of personal trainers operating out of private gyms providing highly motivational services, which may seem like torture at first but like all health related drastic measures it will do you good in the end.

Aaron Tyler Peronsal Training operates out of The Berkeley Centre on Berkeley Square with several trainers qualified in various types of health and fitness, as well as nutrition experts.

One of the courses they run is a boxing exercise class every Tuesday at the QEH School, which I have signed up for after my free session.

I have also had some sessions with Aaron recently and he really does know his stuff and told me a lot of things I’d not heard before about my physical condition, not all of it was bad news either.

Also working out of the Berkeley Centre is Tom Lakos who runs Pro Tom Fitness and also comes well recommended.

If you are looking to simply de-tox and feel healthy again check out the Lido’s current offer. The January Detox Day Spa for two is £40.00. Check out their website for the voucher which is for two people to enjoy a one hour spa treatment each and use of the lido pool, sauna, steam room and spa pool from 9am to 5pm.  This is available throughout January from Monday to Thursday.

You can also get gift vouchers from the Relaxation Centre on All Saints Road if you want to start the New Year in a more clensed state of mind and well being.

So, I for one will be indulging as usual this Christmas but looking ahead to a fit and healthy 2011 and getting back onto the Downs for some hardcore training in the run up to the Edinburgh Marathon. Maybe see you up there?