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The exercise of power - or PR? The exercise of power - or PR?
(31 minutes later)
By Victoria King Political reporter, BBC News President Barack Obama works out six days a week and plays basketballBy Victoria King Political reporter, BBC News President Barack Obama works out six days a week and plays basketball
The days of the portly leader who revels in their love of smoking, drinking and calorie-busting three course lunches are long gone.The days of the portly leader who revels in their love of smoking, drinking and calorie-busting three course lunches are long gone.
The US president is an ace on the basketball court, while his French counterpart jogs to the point of collapse.The US president is an ace on the basketball court, while his French counterpart jogs to the point of collapse.
On the day the UK general election was called, Conservative leader David Cameron still found time for his morning jog, and the Sun newspaper showed Gordon Brown out for a run on the front page.On the day the UK general election was called, Conservative leader David Cameron still found time for his morning jog, and the Sun newspaper showed Gordon Brown out for a run on the front page.
It is rumoured that even Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pounds the pavements in his trainers now and again.It is rumoured that even Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pounds the pavements in his trainers now and again.
So is all this exercise just about keeping fit, or is it more about showing you're fit to lead?So is all this exercise just about keeping fit, or is it more about showing you're fit to lead?
Mike Shallcross, deputy editor of Men's Health magazine, says: "If you look at people at the top of their game in all walks of life, the overweight, unhealthy type is a bit of a dying breed.Mike Shallcross, deputy editor of Men's Health magazine, says: "If you look at people at the top of their game in all walks of life, the overweight, unhealthy type is a bit of a dying breed.
I don't want Peter Mandelson to look like he's in a Hollyoaks calendar - I want him to use his intellect Mike Shallcross, Men's HealthI don't want Peter Mandelson to look like he's in a Hollyoaks calendar - I want him to use his intellect Mike Shallcross, Men's Health
"People are taking their fitness a lot more seriously, partly because it fits with the image they want to project."People are taking their fitness a lot more seriously, partly because it fits with the image they want to project.
"But also physical strength and mental strength are seen as inextricably linked - it's about being successful all-round.""But also physical strength and mental strength are seen as inextricably linked - it's about being successful all-round."
He adds: "Also, exercise keeps people sane. Think of William Hague - even when the chips were really down for him as Tory leader, he seemed to deal with it and I think there's no coincidence he was meditating and doing judo."He adds: "Also, exercise keeps people sane. Think of William Hague - even when the chips were really down for him as Tory leader, he seemed to deal with it and I think there's no coincidence he was meditating and doing judo."
Political big "guns"Political big "guns"
Jogging has long been a popular pursuit for top American politicians. George W Bush did it, as did his right-hand woman Condoleezza Rice, who got up at 4.30am just to get on the treadmill.Jogging has long been a popular pursuit for top American politicians. George W Bush did it, as did his right-hand woman Condoleezza Rice, who got up at 4.30am just to get on the treadmill.
President Barack Obama works out for 45 minutes, six days a week, and even his wife has been praised for her toned physique.President Barack Obama works out for 45 minutes, six days a week, and even his wife has been praised for her toned physique.
But it's only really in recent years that British politicians have gone public with their fitness regimes - David Cameron in particular.But it's only really in recent years that British politicians have gone public with their fitness regimes - David Cameron in particular.
He cycles to work and runs regularly - without music, he says - taking part in high profile events such as the recent Sport Relief mile or the traditional festive run along muddy ditches near his constituency home.He cycles to work and runs regularly - without music, he says - taking part in high profile events such as the recent Sport Relief mile or the traditional festive run along muddy ditches near his constituency home.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL TIPS Ditch the fast food and alcoholEat lots of lean protein and stick to low Glycemic Index-carbohydrates like porridge and brown riceWork out when you can - even 15 minutes is enoughYou don't need a gym - use your own body weight href="/1/hi/magazine/8564790.stm">Why we like tough guys in politics href="/1/hi/magazine/8170264.stm">Could jogging be bad for you? href="/1/hi/magazine/7855763.stm">Just what is it about moobs? CAMPAIGN TRAIL TIPS Ditch the fast food and alcoholEat lots of lean protein and stick to low Glycemic Index-carbohydrates like porridge and brown riceWork out when you can - even 15 minutes is enoughYou don't need a gym - use your own body weight href="/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8564790.stm">Why we like tough guys in politics href="/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8170264.stm">Could jogging be bad for you? href="/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7855763.stm">Just what is it about moobs?
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, as you might expect for a Lib Dems prefers a more middle way - he doesn't have a fixed regime, but his office say he eats healthily, takes the stairs not the lift, and plays tennis and goes hill-walking when he can.Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, as you might expect for a Lib Dems prefers a more middle way - he doesn't have a fixed regime, but his office say he eats healthily, takes the stairs not the lift, and plays tennis and goes hill-walking when he can.
"When he has any spare time, he likes nothing more than to spend time with his kids which is pretty good exercise - be it football down the park, trampoline in the garden or cycling," they add."When he has any spare time, he likes nothing more than to spend time with his kids which is pretty good exercise - be it football down the park, trampoline in the garden or cycling," they add.
Gordon Brown has also talked about his love of running - hitting the treadmill in Downing Street and sometimes, outside in London's parks, flanked by security.Gordon Brown has also talked about his love of running - hitting the treadmill in Downing Street and sometimes, outside in London's parks, flanked by security.
He also hired a personal trainer in 2008 who put him through his paces while he was on holiday with his family.He also hired a personal trainer in 2008 who put him through his paces while he was on holiday with his family.
Backlash?Backlash?
Mr Brown has taken flak over the years for his sometimes tired appearance - while he says Mrs Brown might see him as Heathcliffe, the danger is voters see him as just looking knackered.Mr Brown has taken flak over the years for his sometimes tired appearance - while he says Mrs Brown might see him as Heathcliffe, the danger is voters see him as just looking knackered.
But Charlie Beckett, from the Polis think tank at the London School of Economics, says the importance of physical fitness can be overstated.But Charlie Beckett, from the Polis think tank at the London School of Economics, says the importance of physical fitness can be overstated.
"I think what's interesting is that in an age when we're ever more cynical about politics we're also more idealistic than ever before," he says."I think what's interesting is that in an age when we're ever more cynical about politics we're also more idealistic than ever before," he says.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was a champion body builder before becoming California governorArnold Schwarzenegger was a champion body builder before becoming California governor
"Above all, we want our politicians to embody the idea of change and that always goes hand-in-hand with the idea of youth."Above all, we want our politicians to embody the idea of change and that always goes hand-in-hand with the idea of youth.
"But I think we have to be careful about assuming there's always going to be overwhelming approval for a young, fit, athletic figure - not least because most of the population is anything but young, fit and athletic."But I think we have to be careful about assuming there's always going to be overwhelming approval for a young, fit, athletic figure - not least because most of the population is anything but young, fit and athletic.
"So yes, in this age of technology and spin there is something pure about physical fitness, but I wait for the backlash.""So yes, in this age of technology and spin there is something pure about physical fitness, but I wait for the backlash."
He adds: "When the going gets tough people might increasingly find themselves wanting grizzled experience rather than shiny youth."He adds: "When the going gets tough people might increasingly find themselves wanting grizzled experience rather than shiny youth."
In the US, the president has to undergo a regular medical with the results made public. In Obama's first such assessment in March, he was declared to be in "excellent" health, but struggling to quit smoking.In the US, the president has to undergo a regular medical with the results made public. In Obama's first such assessment in March, he was declared to be in "excellent" health, but struggling to quit smoking.
Mike Shallcross says: "A lot of politicians have been inspired by Obama, the way he looked during the campaign, always energetic.Mike Shallcross says: "A lot of politicians have been inspired by Obama, the way he looked during the campaign, always energetic.
"But it hasn't always worked and some have ended up looking a bit preposterous. Sarkozy came a cropper when he collapsed last year, Boris Johnson always looks like he's about to fall off his bike, and Peter Mandelson was picked on for his 'moobs'."But it hasn't always worked and some have ended up looking a bit preposterous. Sarkozy came a cropper when he collapsed last year, Boris Johnson always looks like he's about to fall off his bike, and Peter Mandelson was picked on for his 'moobs'.
"But then, as a voter, I don't want Peter Mandelson to look like he's in a Hollyoaks calendar, I want him to use his intellect.""But then, as a voter, I don't want Peter Mandelson to look like he's in a Hollyoaks calendar, I want him to use his intellect."
Stamina and concentrationStamina and concentration
For anyone committed to fitness, a life on the road - no routine, hotel rooms, nothing to eat but fast food - is a big challenge, and it's one the UK party leaders are facing now the election campaign has kicked off.For anyone committed to fitness, a life on the road - no routine, hotel rooms, nothing to eat but fast food - is a big challenge, and it's one the UK party leaders are facing now the election campaign has kicked off.
"There's another lesson from America if you just look at Sarah Palin," Mike Shallcross says."There's another lesson from America if you just look at Sarah Palin," Mike Shallcross says.
He says her mid-campaign stutters came "when she was cooped up in hotel rooms, being hot-housed, living off burgers, no exercise. All of that is just the worst thing when you need to keep your stamina and concentration up".He says her mid-campaign stutters came "when she was cooped up in hotel rooms, being hot-housed, living off burgers, no exercise. All of that is just the worst thing when you need to keep your stamina and concentration up".
Running took its toll on President Sarkozy when he collapsed last yearRunning took its toll on President Sarkozy when he collapsed last year
So what do experts recommend?So what do experts recommend?
"You need plenty of lean protein, low GI carbohydrates," he says. "Things that will give you regular bursts of energy. Fast food like burgers will just lead to big peaks and troughs in blood sugar."You need plenty of lean protein, low GI carbohydrates," he says. "Things that will give you regular bursts of energy. Fast food like burgers will just lead to big peaks and troughs in blood sugar.
"And you've got to fit in whatever exercise you can, whenever you can. If you've got 15 minutes even, do something. And you don't need equipment - the US rapper, Usher, he doesn't use the gym in his hotel - he does it all using his own body weight.""And you've got to fit in whatever exercise you can, whenever you can. If you've got 15 minutes even, do something. And you don't need equipment - the US rapper, Usher, he doesn't use the gym in his hotel - he does it all using his own body weight."
He adds: "There's a lot of lessons these politicians could learn from the Rolling Stones - today that is, not in their hey-day.He adds: "There's a lot of lessons these politicians could learn from the Rolling Stones - today that is, not in their hey-day.
"They take people with them to advise them on their nutrition, do their training, and they're guys in their 40s, 50s and 60s too.""They take people with them to advise them on their nutrition, do their training, and they're guys in their 40s, 50s and 60s too."