Samir Becic and his Health Fitness Revolution team has put together a list of the Fittest American Politicians. Regardless of party affiliation, it is important that our leaders demonstrate healthy lifestyle and physical fitness. Healthy Body, Healthy Mind- we want our leaders to be healthy!
We first researched all the available data on the American politicians online and narrowed it down to 100. Then, we did more extensive research to narrow it down 50, 25, and then finally 12. We used a combination of interviews, internet, library, industry literature, and Samir Becic’s knowledge of over 33 years in athletics coupled with his experience as 4 times Number 1 Fitness Trainer in the World.
The politicians on this list not only lead healthy lifestyles themselves, but also promote within their leadership roles to their constituents.
The following was all taken into consideration: fitness level, nutritional habits, age, their own medical issues and how they coped with them, and involvement and promotion of healthy lifestyle.
Aaron Schock (U.S. Representative- Illinois)
known for covering Men’s Health magazine with a six pack, Schock really cares about fitness, which he says he got into in college when he felt his body was changing. He cares about others being fit too, which is why he launched “Fit for Summer, Fit for Life” in 2011 to motivate Americans to take control of their waistlines. He even touts one of his favorite quotes as being that of Ben Franklin “‘A good example is the best sermon,’” Schock said. “And I think if you want to start talking about healthy lifestyles and staying in shape, then you yourself should do your best to try to be a model, an example to people you’re trying to convince to do the same.” His personal fitness routine includes, calisthenics, jogging, swimming, p90x, and weightlifting- he works out 5 to 7 days a week because he acknowledges that working out makes him feel great, relieves stress, and gives him energy.
Adam Kinzinger (U.S. Representative- Illinois)
Adam Kinzinger was an air force pilot who did three tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan before joining the house of representatives. Those quick reflexes are probably what helped him save a woman whose throat got cut by a man on the streets of Milwaukee- he successfully wrestled the attacker to the ground and held him until police arrived. He says his workout routine consists of a mixture of weightlifting and running at least 5 times a week.
Adrian Fenty (Former Washington D.C. Mayor)
In 2009, Men’s Fitness Magazine named Fenty one of their 25 Fittest Men- a list dominated by professional athletes and actors, none with as demanding a schedule as the Mayor of the nation’s capital. He told the magazine then that he was training as much as “humanely possible”, and that daily workouts had become nearly impossible. His fitness routine while Mayor was three times a week, he would go on a long early-morning run and he would also swim and cycle when he could. As an avid cycler himself, he made the nation’s capital more bike-friendly. In his first 20 months in office, Fenty’s administration spent $7 million for road and trail improvements, bike racks, signage, maps, and general education. But one of the mayor’s proudest accomplishments has been the SmartBike DC program. People who pay a $40 annual fee can now swipe a card at bike stations and ride one of 120 three-speed bicycles in the fleet.
Gavin Newsom (Current Lieutenant Governor of California and former Mayor of San Francisco)
As a politician, Gavin has been pitching major health and fitness initiatives for years. When Newsom was mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, he signed laws that required city restaurants to put nutrition information on their menus, and proposed policy changes to bring healthy and sustainably produced meals from bountiful Northern California farms into the city. Even more impressive, he initiated the “Shape Up San Francisco” program, a five-year plan that aims to increase access to healthy food and make it easier for people to exercise. Today, San Francisco ranks among the fittest cities in the US.
Barack Obama (Current President of the United States)
Obama is very disciplined in his day to day life, and works out regularly. Not only does the President work out daily, but his wife, Michelle Obama and their two daughters are equally conscious for their health. Very particular about his health, the man eats healthy food and makes sure his family is very healthy as well. Obama practices alternate resistance training, plays basketball regularly, and devotes four days a week to weight training. Obama has been vocal about his opinion that workouts are the best way to bring harmony between your body and mind.
George W. Bush (Former President of the United States)
George W. Bush has a military background and was in the Texas Air National Guard. He is a passionate runner and was known to run 6 times a week during his presidency. He had a treadmill on the Air Force One, and was known to run for extended periods of time during international flights. He uses the elliptical, weights, and stretching as part of his regime. He was quoted saying “Exercise is so important that corporate America should help its employees make time. There should be flextime for families, and there should be flextime for exercise. A healthy workforce is a more productive work force. We have got to do a better job of encouraging exercise in America.” He once ran the Houston marathon in a good time of 3:44, running the first mile in 8:30 and the last mile in 8:30.
Mitt Romney (Former Governor of Massachusetts)
An avid jogger, Romney has said he runs at least 3 miles a day and reportedly hits the elliptical machine for 30 to 40 minutes at hotel gyms while on the road. While campaigning for the 2012 presidential election, he said he used fellow lister Paul Ryan as both his running mate and personal trainer. He loves peanut butter and honey sandwiches (getting protein and antioxidants without resorting to higher cholesterol lunch options), and counts skiing among his hobbies—after all, he was President and CEO of the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
Rahm Emanuel (Current Mayor of Chicago)
Rahm Emanuel is a seriously fit guy- in a 2011 interview will Wolf Blitzer, he enumerated his 7-day workout routine as follows: Three mornings a week, Rahm wakes up early, runs to the gym, and swims a mile in a 50-meter indoor pool. Then he does chest exercises and runs two miles back to his Ravenswood Manor home. The other two mornings, he rides 25 miles on a stationary bike, followed by a 15-minute turn on the elliptical, weights, 100 sit-ups, and 50 pushups. On Saturdays,he bikes 20 miles outdoors. What day of rest? He practices yoga on Sunday. Mayor Emanuel is working on childhood obesity too- he is working in partnership with agencies, foundations, corporations, and other key stakeholders, to give all children in Chicago the childhood they deserve by having access to parks and playgrounds.
Bill Clinton (Former President of the United States)
When President Clinton faced serious health problems in 2004, he did thorough research which let him to the vegan diet in 2010. In addition to this, he was known to be an avid runner that used this form of cardio exercise to dissipate the stress of the White House. He is a proponent of healthy lifestyle and Veganism which he credits to saving his life and dropping more than 20 pounds. Bill Clinton is also known to take long walks with his dog.
Paul Ryan (U.S. Representative- Wisconsin)
A former personal trainer, Paul only has 6%-8% body fat, works out like a warrior and leads fellow Hill staffers in daily morning sessions of the popular 90-day, body-sculpting program called P90X, which includes pull-ups, sit-ups, lots of cardio, karate, jump training, and yoga. After his father died from heart failure at the age of 55, Ryan dedicated himself to staying in shape to avoid the same fate and not only exercises but maintains a strict diet as well.
Andrew Cuomo (Current Governor of New York)
Andrew Cuomo loves boxing so much that he has a boxing equipped gym in his house with weights. He also jogs for around 2 to 3 hours a week. And Cuomo also likes to share his passion for physical fitness with the people who elected him. As the father of three girls who participate in soccer and track, he officially made Sept. 26 Women’s Health and Fitness Day in New York State!
Sarah Palin (Former Governor of Alaska)
Former Gov. Sarah Palin has always been a runner and still runs 5 to 7 miles a day. Now a mother of five kids, she says exercise is still very much a “family thing.” She and her husband, Todd, also an athlete, named their first son Track because he was born in that sport’s season. And because she still lives in Alaska, she enjoys outdoor sports regularly, such as hunting, finish, and hiking. Over her diet she says “My family and I eat a healthy diet heavy in wild Alaskan seafood, moose, caribou and fresh fruit.” In 2012 she announced she would be writing a fitness book.
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