Ellen, Michelle Obama Compete In Push Up Challenge (VIDEO)

Michelle Obama holds a world record for jumping jacks and boasts arms worthy of their own workout routine, but that didn't deter Ellen DeGeneres from challenging the First Lady to a push up contest on national TV.

"How many push ups can you do? Because I like to do a push up," DeGeneres said in a segment of her show, slated to air on Thursday. "I can do some. Can you? I know you've got these back issues," Obama responded.

The First Lady is touring southern California this week in celebration of the 2nd anniversary of her anti-childhood obesity campaign Let's Move!, making an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday night and at a DNC luncheon reception on Wednesday.

Agreeing to the challenge, Obama and DeGeneres took to the floor to see who could do more push ups, as the audience counted off each one.

So who won?

WATCH:

Comments

[jenkait]

02:28 PM on 02/05/2012

I'm a runner but I don't have good arm strength. Seeing that made me roll out of yoga mat...I'm so inspired by Michelle Obama (and Ellen, too).

I've always been impressed with Michelle Obama's healthy food and exercise campaign because it seems timely and worthwhile. Seeing that...clearly she walks the walk!! I don't understand why people want to trash her for this. It's not like she's coming to your house and throwing out your Doritos and dragging you out for a run! But...seeing her there on Ellen, who wouldn't want to be like her?

[chris428]

10:14 PM on 02/04/2012

Awesome!!! love both women

[Pam James]

11:44 AM on 02/04/2012

So this is what a First Lady does? Hillary Clinton was out fighting for health care bills.

[Caribbean Lady]

03:34 PM on 02/04/2012

Ms. James,
Yes, this is SOME of what she does & has done as First Lady. Get real will you! Michelle O. has been fighting against childhood obesity in this country, has been a healthy role model for our kids as well as grown ups. She has ALSO supported the President in his HEALTH CARE proposals, etc. It's one thing to prefer another First Lady, but it's not OK to downgrade THIS FIRST LADY'S accomplishments. She is also actively INVOLVED in the lives of military families. Anything else you want to say about her?

[Pam James]

08:05 PM on 02/04/2012

Interesting....consider our former First Ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura/Barbara Bush, Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, and Eleanor Roosevelt. They each had roles and performed them well. While I respect Michelle Obama on health issues and her role with military families, she has impressive credentials and should utilize her skills more on the stump for the Obama Administration and not on the Ellen Show doing push ups.

[DeeFromTheD]

08:06 PM on 02/04/2012

You skipped over Laura and there's reason to. Michelle Obama is for exercise, fighting childhood obesity, she has the WH garden that donate food to food banks, working for military families, and the other part of Ellen's show Mrs. Obama was excercing with children.

[Patty Roldan]

11:18 AM on 02/04/2012

Michelle looks way better than any first lady. I know she is in better shape. She cares about her health and the health of American. I dont get it when republicans put her down for trying to get america healthy. Boy are they jealous.

[jenkait]

02:32 PM on 02/05/2012

Jealousy must be it. I keep seeing that clip on TV, and I keep thinking "Who wouldn't want to be like her?!" She's an inspiration!!

[highfivesix]

10:27 PM on 02/03/2012

What an inspiration!
Mrs. O. didn't accept or make excuses that would lead us to believe that at age 48 full fledged push ups are impossible for women and men! Unfortunately, there are people half her age who don't exercise that would need CPR after cranking out a set of push ups like that.
So for all those who are in their 30's 40's and beyond who aren't exercising its time to hit the deck and start doing some great push ups. Just remember to check with your physician before and during your exercise regimen.
Thanks once again FLOTUS for raising the bar of excellence.

[Dsetney]

12:42 PM on 02/03/2012

I recall an old Howard Cosell quote.....

[inkongirl]

12:41 PM on 02/03/2012

That is awesome! Mrs O and Ellen are great.

[Paul Finley]

11:00 AM on 02/03/2012

Wonderful viewing, Thanks Ellen and the producers of the show, also the sponsor and any encouragements of a healthier lifestyles for Americans who love this great Country that will overcome diversity within. Psalm 41:9 "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." Stop hating each other Americans we all can live together regardless of life choices.

[OAK STREET MAFIA]

10:49 AM on 02/03/2012

Mrs. Obama is the fittest First Lady in the history of the Presidential office. I never rememeber learning about Martha Washington doing jumping jacks with the troops at the Battle of Long Island. Ladybird Johnson never went to Paris Island during the Vietnam War and running 10 miles with the recruits.Case and Point, Mrs Obama is fit.

[Knowledgeseeker]

10:36 AM on 02/03/2012

Cool !

[media4meisback]

10:11 AM on 02/03/2012

Like MO was doing half-ups.

[Caribbean Lady]

03:36 PM on 02/04/2012

They BOTH were, so what's your point here?

[media4meisback]

02:42 PM on 02/06/2012

Ellen started off strong and fades, MO continues with the half-ups to look half good I guess.

[Blastrocat]

09:43 AM on 02/03/2012

Can you see Newties's squeeze doing this? Probably have her Nanny stand in. Not that we'll ever have to worry about seeing that.

[NatTurner1]

11:07 AM on 02/03/2012

Which one, there are so many. The first squeeze, second or third?

[Blastrocat]

11:29 AM on 02/03/2012

Good point. The one with the chicken-hawk eyes.

[annasophie1228]

09:26 AM on 02/03/2012

not that this is even a realistic situation, but i would seriously hate to be the next first lady after michelle obama in 2016.

she has set the affability, respectability, and accessability bar so high that i don't know that we (or I) will be able to tolerate some stiff, unfriendly stepford wife first lady ever again.

[BOCEPHUS57]

04:36 PM on 02/03/2012

racist

[annasophie1228]

05:05 PM on 02/03/2012

fail

[buc]

09:19 AM on 02/03/2012

Ellen and the First Lady is too cool, you just got to love em...

[bertinia]

08:53 AM on 02/03/2012

This is great!