Erik's Weekly Fitness Tip: A Workout Fit For A Chief

obama running
 

Hail to the Chief! Since President's Day is February 16th, I thought it would be fun to examine which kind of exercise each of the president's preferred. 

President Obama's workout routine consists of weight training, running on the treadmill, and playing basketball. 

“You have to exercise, or at some point you’ll break down.” -President Obama

President George "W" Bush was an avid runner and mountain biker.  According to Bush's medical checkup released by the White House in 2001, Bush's resting heart rate was 43 beats per minute (the same as a well-conditioned NBA guard or marathon runner.) 

"One of my jobs as President is to set an example. I have an opportunity to send the message to the American people that I’m serious about exercising and you should be, too. “ -President George Bush

President Clinton spent most of his time jogging while President. Though he wasn't the healthiest while in office, he sure has come a long way. Now a vegan, Clinton credits his weight loss to his change in diet.

“The main thing that was hard for me actually- much harder than giving up meat, turkey, chicken and fish- was giving up yogurt and hard cheese. I love that stuff, but it really made a big difference when I did it.” -President Clinton

President Reagan lifted weights and jogged, but that wasn't his true passion. He loved horseback riding and doing chores on the ranch. 

“In my view, every exercise program should have an outdoor element to it.” -President Reagan

President Teddy Roosevelt may have been the fittest one of all. Amongst boxing, wrestling, rock climbing, jujitsu, tennis and hiking Roosevelt also had time to fence.

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” -President Roosevelt

*Image by Wisconsin National Guard, Flickr


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