The YMCA of Selma and Dallas County is giving the community the opportunity to get buff before you get stuffed.

From 9-10 a.m. on Thanksgiving, Darion Alexander will be leading a free fitness class for the public.

“Before you pig out you get to come work out with me,” Alexander said. “I think it will be a great thing and I think it will be fun.”

Ann Murray, chief executive officer at the Y, said the idea came from a staff member.

“We were in the middle of a staff meeting and someone said, ‘Have we ever done a workout on Thanksgiving’ and of course everywhere is closed on Thanksgiving, and we just thought it would be a great idea to invite the whole community to come workout before they chow down,” Murray said. “We’re going to have a workout in our gym, and it’s open to the whole community.”

Murray said it’s a great time to get people into the YMCA that may not ordinarily have the opportunity to go and check it out.

Only the gym will be open on Thanksgiving, and only from 9-10 a.m. during the class, but Murray said she is encouraging people to come out and make friends and enjoy the one-hour class.

“We’re so excited about it. It’s a great time for people from out of town to come and see the Y and just get a good sweat out so that you can eat as much as you want,” Murray laughed.

“They’ll have a great work out, it will be high energy.”

Murray said she is looking forward to having the community come out Thursday and attending the workout session.

“We are so excited and we hope that lots of people will come. Anyone who wants to come we’d love to have them,” Murray said. “Darion Alexander is going to be leading a class and he’s going to give you a good workout before you eat too much.”

Alexander said he is excited about the class and he is ready to help people prepare to feast.

“I’ll work them our pretty good and then let them go eat all the good food,” Alexander said. “I’ll have a lot of fun and I’ll make it fun for them. I’m really looking forward to it.”