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Your Prez-Elect Is a Gym Rat

As pressure builds, Obama's workouts remain constant— seven days a week

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 25, 2008 6:09 AM CST

(Newser) – As Barack Obama prepares to take the helm of a sinking country, he's scaled back on the pastimes of his earlier life—dining out, reading novels, obsessing over Bears and White Sox stats. But one habit has endured: the president-elect is a gym rat who works out every single day, and has the buff physique to prove it. The gym, say his friends, has become Obama's principal refuge.

Like clockwork, the president-elect arrives at a friend's Chicago apartment building around 7:30, where he spends half his workout lifting weights and half doing cardio. Even the day after he won the election, only hours after his Grant Park acceptance speech, Obama hit the gym. "They might think he's just going through the motions," said one friend. "But he goes hard. He's fit. He could convince you he's half his age."

In this Aug. 14, 2008, file photo people on the beach call out to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as he heads back into the water while body-surfing in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In this Aug. 14, 2008, file photo people on the beach call out to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as he heads back into the water while body-surfing in Honolulu, Hawaii.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
President-elect Barack Obama arrives to play golf in Kailua, Hawaii Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama arrives to play golf in Kailua, Hawaii Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President-elect Barack Obama practices before playing a round of golf at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama practices before playing a round of golf at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
Barack Obama waves onlookers after working out at the Semper Fit Center on Marine Corp Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.
Barack Obama waves onlookers after working out at the Semper Fit Center on Marine Corp Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President-elect Barack Obama waves to pedestrians across the street as he leaves a local gym following his morning workout Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pa.
President-elect Barack Obama waves to pedestrians across the street as he leaves a local gym following his morning workout Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pa.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President-elect Barack Obama, left, arrives to a local gym for a morning workout Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pa. Walking behind Obama are Marvin Nicholson, right, a member of Obama's staff.
President-elect Barack Obama, left, arrives to a local gym for a morning workout Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pa. Walking behind Obama are Marvin Nicholson, right, a member of Obama's staff.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President-Elect Barack Obama, back to the camera, exits his vehicle as he heads to gym for his workout in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008.
President-Elect Barack Obama, back to the camera, exits his vehicle as he heads to gym for his workout in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to their vehicle after a seaside memorial for his grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to their vehicle after a seaside memorial for his grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
In this Aug. 14, 2008, file photo Barack Obama body surfs at Sandy Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. President-elect Barack Obama is in Hawaii for Christmas with family and friends.
In this Aug. 14, 2008, file photo Barack Obama body surfs at Sandy Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. President-elect Barack Obama is in Hawaii for Christmas with family and friends.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Dec 27, 2008 2:19 AM CST
Having a fit President is outstanding.
Guest
Dec 24, 2008 9:42 PM CST
Why shouldn't he workout? Exercise will help him with the stress of the job. Welcome to the new type of leader: Strong, Intellegent, and Active. Time to get rid of the old, fat and lazy government we have had.

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