Russian President Vladimir Putin Pumps Iron, Grills in Newly Released Photos

— -- The Kremlin wants the world to know Russian President Vladimir Putin pumps iron and grills meat before most of the world gets out of bed.

New photos released by the Kremlin show Putin working out and barbecuing with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at a government residence in Sochi before sitting down to breakfast and tea.

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Vladimir Putin Exercise Video Emerges

The Russian president's workout is previewed in this rare look at his routine.

ABCNews.com

Putin regularly works out, detailing his personal fitness routine to ABC News last year ahead of the Sochi Olympics.

"How does one control weight? By not overeating. How does one stay in shape? One plays sports. There are no magic pills here," Putin told ABC's "This Week" last January. "I spend a little time every day to play sports. Last night, I was skiing here until 1:30 in the morning. I hit the gym this morning. I swim almost every day, a thousand meters."

Putin had refrained from his characteristic macho antics for the last few years, but appears to be ramping them up again. Earlier this month, he took a mini-submarine to the bottom of the Black Sea to visit a shipwreck off the coast of Crimea.

ABC News' Benjamin Bell contributed to this story.