The more Obama's life intensifies, the more he relies on the gym, claim friends

Washington, Dec 25 (ANI): Ever since Barack Obama has won the US Presidential election, he has cut down on all of his previous leisure activities, like reading, watching TV, eating out, visiting friends, except one-going to the gym, claim his friends.

The latest White House resident-to-be works out in the gym, for about 90 minutes a day, for at least 48 days in a row.

And it is believed that Obama, who has always treated exercise less as recreation than requirement, is all the more enthusiastic towards working out since he has confirmed his seat as the next US President.

And the recent pictures of Hawaiian vacation has given the world a glimpse of his toned body, showing chiseled pectorals sculpted during four weightlifting sessions each week, and a body toned by regular treadmill runs and basketball games.

His friends have revealed that the more Obama's life intensifies, the more he relies on the gym.

"He does it every day like clockwork. He doesn't think of it as something he has to do -- it's his time for himself, a chance for him to reflect. It's his break. He feels better and more revved up after he gets in his workout," The Washington Post quoted Marty Nesbitt, one of Obama's closest friends from Chicago as saying.

And the President elect is so particular to get his time in the gym everyday, that his aides had to arrange workouts for him in several dozen states, according to his schedule, while he was on his presidential campaign.

"That's one of the first things you learn working for him: You better make sure he gets his workout. If there isn't any time, he's not going to feel his best that day. If he only gets 30 or 40 minutes, he's still not really happy," said Jim Cauley, who managed Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.

He added: "You have to make time for him to exercise, at least an hour or so. You block it out and put it on the schedule, because that's what makes him happy."

And since the election, before leaving for Hawaii from Chicago, every morning around 7:30 Obama used to travel by motorcade to the gym at Regents Park

Obama, 47, devotes half of his workout to weight lifting and the other half to a cardiovascular rotation that includes a stationary bicycle, elliptical machine and treadmill.

And in between his warm-up and cool down, he sometimes moves through a dozen different exercises in an hour.

"It's something he takes seriously, and that's why he's in great shape. When people picture him running or whatever, they might think he's just going through the motions. But he goes hard. He's fit. He could convince you he's half his age," said Alexi Giannoulias, a friend of Obama's and a former professional basketball player.

"It's always been a priority in his daily routine. I think it's an example of how disciplined he is. It's one of the things that really keeps him balanced," said Christopher Lu, a marathon runner who worked as Obama's legislative director in the Senate and was named Cabinet secretary last week. (ANI)