By Roger “Rock” Lockridge
Politicians are always trying to find new ways to connect with potential voters, and in recent years, one of those ways has been through fitness. The first obvious example of this would be Arnold Schwarzenegger, who used his fame from bodybuilding and Hollywood to become California’s Governor, but he isn’t the only example of this, nor is he the most recent.
Photos and videos of 2024 U.S. President candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Training at Gold’s Gym Venice have been circulating on social media, and he actually looked very impressive as he approaches his 70th birthday. He looked tan and lean while posing for photos or putting in sets at the Mecca of Bodybuilding.
While the obvious health and wellness benefits alone are good enough reasons to be dedicated to working out, it could also serve as a way for him to connect with people and establish common bonds in order for them to check his name at the ballot box.
Kennedy isn’t the only one that has been living the gym life and promoting workout clips. New York Congressman Jamaal Browner was seen benching four plates for a triple on Twitter, now known as “X.” These weren’t on a machine, either. He was barbell benching 405 for reps.
Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard now works in the media, but even when she was on the campaign trails, the military veteran was active surfing and running while running for office, as she showed on multiple social media posts. Another Governor who muscled his way into office was pro wrestling legend Jesse “The Body” Ventura, whose promos of him talking and flexing were shown on TV often as he ascended to the Governor’s seat in his home state of Minnesota.
This trend doesn’t only apply to the United States. You may remember when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began his first term, there were several media outlets talking about his passion for running.
He was also passionate about boxing training as a way to stay in shape and relieve stress. Men’s Journal once published an article about him questioning if he was possibly the fitness leader of a country in the world.
So, the conclusion here is an obvious one. Voters want to be assured that the leaders they vote for to be in great shape and do the job effectively. So, future candidates may want to hire trainers along with those campaign strategists and start hitting the weights and running trails while going on the campaign trail.
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