Putin launches a new arms race: Action man Vlad's latest photo stunt shows him and Russian PM Medvedev pumping iron in the gym (... but this time he keeps his shirt ON) 

  • Putin and his prime minister  Dmitry Medvedev were busy working out in a gym in Bocharov Ruchei, Sochi
  • Vladimir Putin, 62, demonstrated his muscular arms but managed to keep his shirt on for his whole workout 
  • The Russian President has previously been seen playing ice hockey and recently pledged to start yoga 

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From horse riding to hunting, Vladimir Putin has long portrayed himself as Russia's action-man president and this morning was no different as he was pictured enthusiastically working out with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev in his gym in Sochi.

Amazingly, Putin managed to resist the urge to rip off his t-shirt, preferring to complete his whole workout without revealing his famous torso.

After struggling to keep up with Putin, Medvedev joined the President for a relaxing cup of tea and breakfast at his residence in Bocharov Ruchei.

Amazingly Putin managed to resist the urge to rip off his t-shirt, preferring to complete his whole workout without revealing his torso

Amazingly Putin managed to resist the urge to rip off his t-shirt, preferring to complete his whole workout without revealing his torso

The Russian president has been pictured enthusiastically working out with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev in his gym in Sochi

The Russian president has been pictured enthusiastically working out with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev in his gym in Sochi

After struggling to keep up with Putin, Medvedev and the President enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea at their residence in Bocharov Ruchei

After struggling to keep up with Putin, Medvedev and the President enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea at their residence in Bocharov Ruchei

Wearing a pair of powerlifting gloves, grey jogging bottoms and a plain t-shirt, Putin appeared to be well-prepared for an intense workout.

Striding into the gym with Medvedev, the Russian president seemed to be at ease, quickly showing off his strength with an easy arm workout on the cable crossover. 

Pausing to reset his feet, Putin leans forward as he works on the cable crossover, slightly blowing his cheeks out as he starts to feel the strain to his arms and upper back. 

After powering through a few more reps on various pieces of gym equipment, Putin gave a few words of wisdom to Medvedev, watching closely over his shoulder as he worked out.

Putin also allows enough time to work on his hamstrings, gently bouncing on a balance board whilst holding on to a nearby conditioning machine.

While Putin is well known for his action-man personality, Medvedev is also no stranger to exercise either. He has previously been seen playing badminton and is a keen ice hockey and judo fan.

Ready for action: Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev have a quick chat before starting their intense workout at a gym in Bocharov Ruchei

Ready for action: Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev have a quick chat before starting their intense workout at a gym in Bocharov Ruchei

Concentraing hard: Medvedev tries to focus on his workout whilst Putin stands over his shoulder, offering a few words of encouragement

Concentraing hard: Medvedev tries to focus on his workout whilst Putin stands over his shoulder, offering a few words of encouragement

This is how it's done: No stranger to the showing off his manly strength, Putin demonstrates to his prime minister how to maximise results

This is how it's done: No stranger to the showing off his manly strength, Putin demonstrates to his prime minister how to maximise results

Sunday stroke: The two friends were enjoying a relaxing getaway at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi, Russia

Sunday stroke: The two friends were enjoying a relaxing getaway at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi, Russia

Barbecue time: Grillmaster Medvedev takes over the barbecue as he and Putin attempt to prepare their own breakfast after their workout

Barbecue time: Grillmaster Medvedev takes over the barbecue as he and Putin attempt to prepare their own breakfast after their workout

Time for tea: Toasting to a successful time in office, Putin and Medvedev enjoy a cup of tea for their breakfast 

Time for tea: Toasting to a successful time in office, Putin and Medvedev enjoy a cup of tea for their breakfast 

A few more lifts and the 62-year-old president called time on his workout before the two friends heading off for a quick barbecue. Always keen to take the lead, Putin quickly grabbed the tongs and demonstrated his culinary skills, turning the skewered meat over the flames.

The main chef intervened and gave the two men a bit of advice on achieving the perfect grill. With the meat finally ready, Putin and Medvedev sat outside at a table for a spot of breakfast.

Raising their china tea mugs, the president and prime minister made a toast before digging into a much deserved breakfast.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin was also pictured on Saturday sitting next to former boxer Natalia Ragozina as they attended an international combat sambo tournament in Sochi.

Discussing the finer points of combat: Putin sits next to former boxer Natalia Ragozina as they attend an international combat sambo tournament in Sochi

Discussing the finer points of combat: Putin sits next to former boxer Natalia Ragozina as they attend an international combat sambo tournament in Sochi

Putin looks on as one fighter goes to work on another at the sambo tournament, a Russian martial art developed in the 1920s by the Soviet Red Army

Putin looks on as one fighter goes to work on another at the sambo tournament, a Russian martial art developed in the 1920s by the Soviet Red Army

The Russian president congratulates victorious athletes with victory during an awards ceremony at the Plotforma S-70 international professional combat sambo tournament of League S-70

The Russian president congratulates victorious athletes with victory during an awards ceremony at the Plotforma S-70 international professional combat sambo tournament of League S-70

Russian mixed martial artist Akop Stepanyan and Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev shake hands at the sambo tournament

Russian mixed martial artist Akop Stepanyan and Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev shake hands at the sambo tournament

Medvedev was also by his side for the event in the resort on the Black Sea where Russia staged the Winter Olympics last year. 

According to the Kremlin, the Russian team won the competition, beating athletes from countries including the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. 

Both the Russian president and prime minister are always keen to show off his sporting prowess, particularly Vladimir Putin. Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, Putin said he was planning on giving yoga a try.

In May the Russian president took part in a charity ice hockey game, managing to get on the scoresheet and has also previously been seen fishing and hunting topless in various country settings.

Lone ranger: The Russian President is well known for his love of the outdoors and regularly takes to the mountains in Russia on his break

Lone ranger: The Russian President is well known for his love of the outdoors and regularly takes to the mountains in Russia on his break

Putin has often posed shirtless for publicity pictures

From horse riding to hunting, Vladimir Putin has long portrayed himself as Russia's action-man president

Powerhouse: Putin has previously shown off his powerful swimming skills and has also well known for his judo and ice hockey skills

Powerhouse: Putin has previously shown off his powerful swimming skills and has also well known for his judo and ice hockey skills

The name's Putin: The Russian President was photographed enjoying a ride in a mini submarine several years ago, looking strikingly like a villain from one of the James Bond films

The name's Putin: The Russian President was photographed enjoying a ride in a mini submarine several years ago, looking strikingly like a villain from one of the James Bond films

Going down: Putin looks slightly disinterested as the hi-tech mini submarine begins to descend into the water 

Going down: Putin looks slightly disinterested as the hi-tech mini submarine begins to descend into the water 

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