Regardless of party affiliation, it is important that our elected officials demonstrate a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness. Healthy Body, Healthy Mind!
Every year, Health Fitness Revolution recognizes politicians who choose to demonstrate healthy lifestyles for themselves, in addition to promoting physical activity within their communities. We recently published our new lists of the Top 40 Fittest United States Representatives 2020, Top 10 Fittest Governors 2020, Top 20 Fittest Senators 2020, and Top 20 Fittest Mayors in America 2020 as part of this effort to promote health and fitness in the U.S.
We are at the forefront of fitness in politics, and our previous lists of the fittest politicians have generated buzz in some of the nation’s leading media outlets. From the New York Times, to the LA Times, to the Houston Chronicle, Refinery29, Washington Post, and so on… Politico dubbed our list of the Top 10 Fittest Senators 2016 their “List du Jour”, they recently also mentioned our Top 20 Fittest Mayors in America 2020 list.
HFR founder and author of ReSYNC Your Life, Samir Becic intends to use this list to motivate other politicians to be more active, fit, and even more importantly- promote a healthy lifestyle to their constituents. “Especially now that our nation is greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is immensely important to promote a healthy lifestyle for both our physical and mental health. Let’s strengthen our immune systems as much as we can!” says Becic.
Here’s what matters to us in order of importance: promotion of fitness (actions, interviews, and social media)- this is the most important factor because sharing is caring, personal fitness level, nutritional habits, and age. “There were many extremely fit politicians who didn’t make this list because even though they are personally very fit, their lack of promotion of healthy living made them ineligible” says Becic. Here are the Top 20 Fittest Americans Politicians of 2020:
President-elect Joe Biden, 78
- Made our Top Fittest Heads of States, Top 100 Fittest U.S. Politicians, and Fitness Report Card for the 2016 Presidential Hopefuls lists.
- Joe Biden, at 76, is the picture of health and fitness and a phenomenal example to fellow Americans.
- Last year, Biden’s brother called a SiriusXM political talk show and made the claim that the President-elect can bench press multiple reps of 185 pounds.
- He also exercises on a rowing machine and Peloton bike, according to his campaign.
- Bikes outdoors
- Runs
- According to Men’s Health Biden’s eating habits include fruit juice and Greek yogurt for breakfast and salads with protein—usually fish—for lunch and dinner.
- Works on core exercises.
- Excelled in various sports in his youth.
- Played baseball as a child.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, 56
- Harris served as the district attorney of San Francisco before being named the state’s attorney general in 2011.
- Despite being so busy in her career, she still finds time to take care of herself
- She was the first woman, first African-American and the first Asian-American to hold the job.
- Said in a newsletter that she stays balanced by working out and eating healthy.
- “In order to find balance, I feel very strongly about two things in particular in terms of routine. Work out, and eat well. I can’t say how many women I’ve mentored in college. I say, “Are you working out every morning?” No. Then I say, “You’ve got to work out.” It has nothing to do with your weight. It’s about your mind. I work out every morning. Only half an hour. I get on the treadmill. That’s it. Every morning, I don’t care what time. It gets your blood flowing. It gets your adrenaline flowing. I believe in eating well. It’s not fanatical. Eat good food. Make sure you’ve got good vegetables.”
- “I work out every morning, regardless of how much sleep I’ve had,”
- “I had liter water bottles that I filled, of course, with water to use them as hand weights,”
- 30 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill, or swimming
- If she has time on the weekends, she will take an hour-long Soul Survivor class at SoulCycle.
- Made our list of 2017 Top Fittest Senators list.
- Made our list of Top 20 Fittest Senators 2020 list.
Representative Markwayne Mullin, 43
- Former college wrestler.
- Still very involved in the wrestling community.
- Former MMA fighter.
- Inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Hosts a regular MMA style workout routine for fellow congress members in the House gym.
- Leads annual outdoor fitness workout for Men’s Health Month.
- Includes an hour of various cardio and strength movements.
- Over 60 people attend.
- Has been joined by other politicians, former NFL players, and leaders in the fitness and nutrition industry.
- Encourages people to physically “push their limits” during a workout.
- Often posts instructional workout videos on social media to encourage and guide others.
- Prioritizes a healthy lifestyle and shares tips including:
- Stay active, get good sleep, eat a balanced diet, and don’t neglect your mental health.
- Made our 2015 Top 10% Fittest American Congress People list.
- Made our list of Top 40 Fittest Congresspeople 2020 list.
Senator Kyrsten Sinema, 44
- Senator Sinema heavily emphasizes fitness, being the first sitting member of congress to complete an Ironman.
- She uses half marathons to train for Ironmans.
- She currently holds the ACLI Course Record for women, and recently qualified for the Boston Marathon.
- Senator Sinema has also made food security in the US a priority, especially during the covid pandemic. She’s worked to provide additional funding to food banks, helping ensure proper nutrition for children and seniors.
- Made our list of Top 10% Fittest Congress Members.
- Made our list of Top 20 Fittest Senators 2020.
Representative Adam Kinzinger, 42
- Air Force pilot with 3 tours completed
- Named Men’s Health top 25 politicians
- Enjoys running and weightlifting
- Made our 2015 Top 10% Fittest American Congress People list
- Made our list of Top 40 Fittest Congresspeople 2020.
Mayor Steven Fulop, 43
- Steven Fulop is the Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey.
- Has completed two and a half Ironmans, one of which was finished in under 12 hours!
- Has said that the Ironman was probably the hardest single task he was a part of because it really requires not only physical endurance but mental endurance.
- Ran in the 2012 NYC Marathon.
- Believes that being healthy and active can teach extreme discipline which is needed in order to be successful.
- Created an Adult Fitness Class to help encourage the adults of Jersey City to become fit and then pass the mentality onto their children.
- Made our list of Top 25 Fittest Mayors 2018 list
- Made our list of Top 10 Fittest Mayors 2019 list
- Made our list of Top 20 Fittest Mayors 2020 list
- Read our exclusive interview with Mayor Steven Fulop here.
Representative Tulsi Gabbard, 39
- Has worked out with Aaron Schock, Paul Ryan, and Scott Peters
- Is an Army National Guard major
- Frequently tweets her grueling workouts including a military-style workout of 25 exercises using just a bench and another video shows Gabbard lifting weights and doing burpees.
- Follows P90X
- Does a Brazilian martial art called “Capoeira”
- Surfs and paddleboards on her more leisurely days. She told a fellow surfer at a town hall, “It’s magic, man! It’s magic. It’s hard to describe. The renewal you get from the ocean and across Mother Nature keeps us centered and connected to our planet.”
- Veteran
- Took the Army Physical Fitness Test with a score of 287
- Did the Army 10-miler this year (remotely because of COVID-19)
- Took up yoga during the Pandemic
- Helps to calm her mind and relax
- Made our 2015 Top 10% Fittest American Congress People list.
- Made our list of Top 40 Fittest U.S. Representatives 2020.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, 63
- Goes fishing
- Played basketball with his dad growing up
- Goes on walks with his husky
- Snowmobiling at Saranac Lake
- Touring places
- Para la Naturaleza Las Cabezas de San Juan, with family where he also planted trees
- Assists with rescue operations
- Ex: flash flood conditions
- Has a home gym that he works out in- free weights, treadmill
- Is an avid boxing fan and trains in boxing gyms
- Made our lists of Top 10 Fittest Governors in 2014, Fittest American Politicians 2017, Top 10 Fittest Governors in America 2020
Mayor Sylvester Turner, 66
- We highlighted Mayor Turner’s good work in our article 10 ways Mayor Turner is promoting health in Houston article.
- He frequently dances and participates in physical activities with his constituents at health events.
- He has helped revitalize Discovery Green. The park is now gaining national recognition for its oasis-like atmosphere and opportunities for people to participate in healthy activities in the city.
- He is active is in bringing awareness to Mental Health. He frequently posts tips so that people recognize the signs of mental illness so they can reach out for help and also recognize when our loved ones may need it.
- Art is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and Mayor turner has been attending the Houston Art Fest to help draw awareness to its benefits. The festival additionally helps support and fund non-profit organizations.
- Turner participated in the 75 mile Tour de Houston bike ride.
- Houston has about 220 bike lanes right now. He wants to expand that number to 800 and eventually to 1500.
- He is making sure that Houston is the nation’s best location for middle-class families. One of the greatest ways he is doing this is by making sure Houston is a place where families can spend time together participating in healthy activities- by investing in public parks and bike programs.
- He supports the revitalization and renovation of Memorial Park, whose world-class municipal golf course is slated to host the 2020 Houston Open.
- Mayor Turner is putting climate change solutions at the forefront, so we can all have cleaner air and better health- a big deal in a city that has so many cars!
- His administration is partnering with local businesses and communities to implement a farmer’s market program, taking farmer’s markets to different areas throughout Houston.
- Urban farmer’s markets, such as the 5th Ward’s Last Organic Outpost, provide fresh produce for affordable prices and form a deep connection with the local community.
- During his campaign, he accepted Samir Becic’s challenge to join #PushUpsEverywhere without any hesitation. Dropping to the floor and delivering 10 high-quality pushups for the whole world to see.
- One of the initiatives Mayor Turner is involved in is children’s asthma research. He has been speaking on effected children’s behalf and participating in projects to help draw awareness to the public health issue.
- Mayor Turner has recently created a “Better. Together” multilingual health initiative to help teach the people in Houston, that don’t speak English, about ways to stay safe from the virus.
- Educated people in their homes, schools, parks, businesses, houses of worship, restaurants and other places in order to reduce positive COVID-19 cases.
- Turner has stated that he wishes for the Coronavirus rates to go from 23% to 5% in Houston with this program.
- Read Mayor Turner’s proactive COVID-19 tips for Houstonians
- Created a partnership with Prairie View A&M University to reduce health disparities in Houston’s underserved and under-resourced communities.
- The goal of this partnership is to improve the communities’ health, nutrition and wellness.
- Expanding awareness of healthy living programs, health services, and educating residents on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
- Made our lists of Top 10 Fittest Mayors in America 2019, Top 25 Fittest Mayors in America 2018, and Top 20 Fittest Mayors in America 2020.
Governor Phil Scott, 62
- Former race car driver and snowmobile racer
- Has a passion for building things, which has driven him to be innovative and more fit
- Used to build wooden race cars
- Began strength training and biking during his 20’s to build endurance and maintain his physique
- Competitive biker
- Placed second in his age group at Race to the Top biking competition in 2015
- Wakes up before 5 am and cycles for at least 30 minutes before beginning his days
- “by staying in shape, I might have a bit of an edge over some of my competitors.”
- Devoted to helping maintain and preserve Vermont’s outdoor recreation.
- Made our list of Top 10 Fittest Governors in America 2020.
Representative Tim Ryan, 47
- Uses mindfulness techniques for stress reduction and encourages them to others
- Wrote a book on it called “A Mindful Nation”
- “Well, What more can you give to a human being than to teach them how to be responsible for their own health by reducing their stress level, increasing their focus and boosting their immune system?”
- “If we can shave a fraction of the health care costs of chronic stress, we’re talking about real savings,” He said. “Heart disease. Type 2 diabetes. Politically, this cuts across the aisle. You hear one side talk about being compassionate towards kids and investing in education. We also hear about saving money and deficits and individual responsibility.”
- Plays on the Congressional Baseball Team
- Snowboards with family
- Walks for Down Syndrome
- Made our 2015 Top 10% Fittest American Congress People list.
Senator Chuck Grassley, 87
- President pro tempore of the United States Senate
- Senator Grassley commits himself to running 12 miles every week, waking up at 4 AM to ensure his exercise doesn’t interfere with his busy work schedule.
- Understanding how important nutrition is in fighting obesity and disease, Senator Grassley is a major advocate for better nutrition across the US.
- He’s focused on better, high-quality nutrition for kids as well as the general population.
- An avid farmer
- Has a #cornwatch on his Instagram to keep people updated on when the corn in his farm is ready for harvesting.
- Made our list of Top 20 Fittest Senators 2020.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg, 43
- Mayor Ron Nirenberg has served as the Mayor of San Antonio, Texas for the past 3 years and as mayor, Nirenberg has stated that his main priority is “restoring public trust so that all residents are confident that their representatives are working in their best interests.”
- Prior to politics, he pursued careers as a fitness and nutrition consultant, as well as a competitive bodybuilder for seven years.
- He is a firm believer in mind, body, spirit, and balance.
- Uses his high-intensity fitness regime to balance himself out and to keep sane and happy.
- Credits athletics, especially being in individual sports with very little instant gratification that requires a long-term outlook and self-discipline.
- Did some graduate work in bodybuilding.
- He emphasizes the importance of a balance between the mental and physical, which exercise allows him to have.
- Describes that getting his “adrenaline flowing and endorphins pumping” makes him feel his best.
- Started a “Get Strong” fitness campaign which was intended to show all the different ways that people can have fun and get fit and adapt to the lifestyle that best suits them.
- During COVID-19, this campaign provided the public with creative ways they can stay fit utilizing San Antonio outdoor spaces, as well as several resources they can utilize to tackle the mental and physical implications of COVID-19.
- Recently joined by San Antonio Spurs player, Lonnie Walker IV, Mayor Nirenberg discussed how to remain physically fit during the pandemic and while in quarantine.
- Made HFR’s list of Top 10 Fittest Mayors in America 2019, Top 25 Fittest Mayors in America 2018, and Top 20 Fittest Mayors in America 2020.
- Read our exclusive interview with Mayor Ron Nirenberg here.
Senator Cory Booker, 51
- Eats a vegan diet.
- Works out consistently.
- An active voice for weight loss.
- Was an honorary vice-chairman of Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America.
- The initiative in his city focuses on better food options and more-active lifestyles.
- Played football at Stanford University.
- During his first year as the Senator of New Jersey, Booker gain almost over 60 lbs.
- Booker has slimmed down and stayed fit through running, cycling and a vegan diet.
- In past campaigns, “Run With Cory” jogging events have dotted his schedule.
- Made our Fittest American Politicians 2017 list.
- Made our list of Top 20 Fittest Senators 2020.
Senator Jeff Merkley, 64
- Has said that his workouts have been “very helpful in managing the stress of the job.”
- “When things go awry and you’re trying to make a project happen… I say to myself, ‘you know, I’m going to hold off on worrying about that until I’ve worked out tomorrow.’”
- In 2012, Senator Merkley completed an iron distance triathlon- which consists of 140 cumulative miles of swimming, biking and running.
- Lost a whopping 30lbs between 2010-2012.
- His very own daughter is an avid runner who maintains an active lifestyle- which in turn positively influences senator Merkley to stay fit.
- Made our 2016 list of the Top 10 Fittest Senators.
- Made our list of Top 20 Fittest Senators 2020.
Senator Mitt Romney, 73
- 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 very fit politician Paul Ryan as both his running mate and personal trainer.
- Frequently enjoys the great outdoors of Utah with his family- they hike, bike, horseback ride!
- In May 2020, he challenged his team to a virtual fun run, his team in Utah and Washington ran a 34-mile relay race—using technology to pass the virtual baton. He wrote on Instagram “We might have to physically keep our distance, but it’s important that we remain connected with friends and family. These are challenging times, but one thing is certain: We’re in this together.”
Representative Dan Crenshaw, 36
- Former U.S. Navy SEAL officer
- Lost an eye while in combat
- Skydives
- Showed off his regular workout on FOX26Houston as a campaign to get fit and stay fit before New Years.
- Bench pressed 225 lbs
- Deep lunges with barbell and 50lbs added on
- Tire flips
- Encourages people not to give excuses when going to exercise
- Start with attainable goals and don’t “shoot for the stars” when setting exercise expectations
- Did a five-day 100-mile run through his district in Texas.
- Did it to raise money for Hurricane Harvey relief
- Made our list of Top 40 Fittest United States Representatives 2020
Representative Sharice Davids, 40
- Former MMA fighter
- 5-1 amateur, 1-1 MMA Fighter
- Boxed at local gym with a group of all-stars
- Did this during Sharice’s Shift, an outreach program designed to connect directly with local small businesses
- Joined KCK Youth in the Ring Boxing
- Build relationships between police and community
- Did push ups for good luck at Capitol Hill while awaiting finding out position in the office lottery
- Plays on Congressional Women’s Softball Team
- Made our list of Top 40 Fittest United States Representatives 2020
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “AOC”, 31
- Does push ups (in her heels) whenever she needs to take a break and get some new ideas
- Goes on walks with her dog around Capitol Hill
- Also loves to go on runs through Capitol Hill
- Loves to garden
- Created community gardens all over New York to bring fresh fruits and veggies to the people that live in those areas
- Has a community garden in DC as well
- She announced in December of 2018 that she was taking a self-care break, and now she makes sure to take care of her body even when she is very busy and overwhelmed.
- Before congress, Ocasio-Cortez did yoga three to four times each week, ate nutritious foods, and wrote for leisure, according to the Huffington Post
- As she shared in 2019, now, she is very busy and sometimes eats fast food for dinner because of lack of time. However, she is trying to get back on her workout schedule.
- The first couple months of her term were very exhausting, and she was not taking care of herself, according to Vogue
- Now, she makes sure to take time for herself even if she feels guilty about it
- Made our list of Top 40 Fittest United States Representatives 2020
Pete Buttigieg, 38
- The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, runs at least twice a week, a spokesperson told The Hill.
- Pete Buttigieg is a runner who completed a half-marathon in an hour and 42 minutes when stationed in Afghanistan.
- Journalists have stated while on the 2020 campaign trail, Buttigieg began his days with intense workouts.
- Men’s Health wrote that the lean 37-year-old Afghanistan combat veteran begins his day with a workout whenever possible and utilizes his hotels’ swimming pools and weight rooms.
- In 2017, he stopped by a local boxing gym to support at-risk youth to guide them to success and health.
