Barack Obama Opens Up About His Health in His 60s: 'I Don't Want to Pop Nothing' (Exclusive)
Barack Obama Opens Up About His Health in His 60s: 'I Don't Want to Pop Nothing' (Exclusive)
Janine RubensteinThu, June 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTC
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While his wife's "Let's Move" campaign famously got America up on their feet during the couple's White House years, former President Barack Obama says these days he's moving a little more cautiously.
"I feel good, I mean look, I don't look as good as her," the former president, 64, says while motioning to former first lady Michelle Obama, 62, seated next to him during an intimate interview for PEOPLE's new cover story. "Of course you do," she says, before adding, "It's because you don't dye your hair. You could have made the choice."
To that he says, "Yeah, it's too much trouble... but I feel great."
Barack Obama plays basketball in Iowa in 2007 (left); speaking at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on June 18, 2026 (right)Credit: Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated via Getty; Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty
But when asked whether he plans on playing any pickup games in the new Home Court gym at his Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, the basketball enthusiast quickly says, "No."
"Now I will take folks on for a game of Horse," he continues. "We can have some shooting contests. I am not running up and down that court because I want to protect my knees and my Achilles. I don't want to be in a boot."
He adds, "I'm in good shape if I'm just running north-south. You start getting me sideways and I start worrying about something kind of going [wrong]."
"Michelle, obviously she looks spectacular, but she is way ahead of me on the whole stretching and flexibility tip," he admits. "And that is my next stage."
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Nudging him, she says with a smirk, "Is that where you're going? Towards stretching and flexibility?" He confirms, "That's where I'm going."
The Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center in ChicagoCredit: The Obama Foundation
Visitors walk by Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on May 20Credit: The Obama Foundation
The new athletic facility on Chicago's South Side offers the public space and opportunity for that and more. "They'll hold birthday parties... there's more than just basketball that'll be going on down there," says the former first lady. "In the gym there are all of these multi-purpose rooms where hopefully community people will do yoga."
That's something her husband might be considering. "Put our yoga mats down and all that. Namaste," he says with a smile.
Former President Barack Obama plays air guitar to Stevie Wonder's music at the Obama Center dedication ceremony on June 18Credit: E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
For Michelle's part, "I tend to get fanatical about stuff that I try. So I started deciding, I'm going to play tennis. And in order to get good at something, you've got to play," she says. "She's gotten very good," notes the former president.
Though he played tennis when he was younger, she says he hasn't joined her much recently. "He's got to stretch out those calves or he's going to pop something."
And one thing's for sure, says the former president: "Don't want to do that. I don't want to pop nothing."
For more on the former first couple's love story, legacy and busy life now, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
