Tête-à-Tête-Tête

Here’s a funny thing. Dan Froomkin points to George W. Bush’s most recent medical examination, which includes the following:

Exercise: The President exercises six times per week. Workouts include bicycling (15-20 miles, 15-18mph), treadmill (low impact “hill-work”), elliptical trainer, free weight resistance training, and stretching.

That’s a lot of exercise, and Bush is apparently in great shape for his age. Here’s a snarkier perspective on it. Assuming that Bush exercises an hour at a time, which seems reasonable, and reading that

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports estimates that only one in five Americans exercises for the healthy minimum of 20 minutes, three or more days a week. In fact, the average American gets less than 50 minutes of exercise per week.

it’s also true that

…Bush exercises more than 80% of the U.S. population.

…Bush gets more than six times as much exercise as the average American.

…Bush’s nickname for himself, Bike Guy, is probably well-deserved. That last link says Bush’s fitness last year put him in the top 1% of men aged 55 to 59.

So I am totally impressed. Bush could undoubtedly kick my ass in a physical contest. I wonder if anyone has thought of proposing gladiator contests between the leaders of countries at war, to save on the bloodshed? I’d put some money on our guy.