( CNN ) -- Personal trainer Cornell McClellan was working out with President Obama one morning when he had a revelation . `` Being a personal trainer is just like being the president , '' McClellan told Obama , whom he has trained for 11 years . That certainly got the president 's attention . `` We 're faced with similar things , '' McClellan said . `` We have people that come to us , and they 've created conditions or situations that maybe we 've had nothing to do with , and immediately they want us to change it . Even if they do n't do what they 're supposed to , they 're upset with us when it 's not changed . So I thought our jobs were pretty similar . '' McClellan spoke at last month 's American Council on Exercise conference in San Diego , where he thanked fellow personal trainers who donated their time to help military families get fit . McClellan splits his time between Chicago and Washington , where he helps the Obamas and key members of the administration stay in shape . The imposing former martial arts guru is one man in the world who can tell the president what to do -- at least when it comes to exercise . `` If we 're short on time , we try to mix things up , '' he said . `` We 'll try to make sure there 's some high-intensity stuff . We might do some weights , throw some cardio in there and throw some plyometrics in there with abs . We go from one thing he needs to another , because his time is short . '' The president is in tiptop shape age 50 . Obama passed a physical exam in October with a healthy body mass index and normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels . The doctor wrote that Obama was in `` excellent health and 'fit for duty . ' `` `` I was very pleased , '' McClellan said . `` We joked about it . '' And McClellan is no doubt pleased with Michelle Obama 's much-coveted arms , which are so admired that they have spawned exercise DVDs with titles like `` Arms of a First Lady '' and `` Totally Toned Arms : Get Michelle Obama Arms in 21 Days . '' Although it 's easy to say that the presidential couple can get in shape easily because of their resources such as personal trainers and professional chefs , it 's not just about that . McClellan said busy people can realistically integrate fitness into their lives because it 's a mental thing . `` He is the busiest man in the world , '' McClellan said of the president . `` I do n't have to prod him . '' The excuses -- too busy , too little time -- just do n't fly with McClellan . Long before the White House , the Obamas made their health a priority . Michelle Obama came to his Chicago gym 14 years ago , and her husband joined about three years later . Before she became first lady , she would go to McClellan 's gym as early as 4:45 a.m . It 's about a mindset , McClellan said . `` People have to first understand the benefits , '' said McClellan , who serves on the President 's Council on Fitness , Sports and Nutrition . By exercising and reaping its benefits on health and stress relief , he said , `` it is how we can maintain these busy lives , and how we can sustain them . ''
Coach McClellan has coached the Obamas for over 10 years . The biggest barrier to success is mental , he says . He works on high - intensity exercise , balance , cardio , flexibility .