Work out with Vladimir Putin -- seriously

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has proved he's a macho man as a world leader -- now he's setting out to prove he's a macho man off the political circuit too. The feisty figurehead recently announced plans to produce a fitness DVD. No, really. I'm not kidding. Let's Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin was recently released in Russia.

But Putin, a black belt in the sport, has admitted that the title, while catchy, is little more than an advertising gimmick. Yes, Putin appears on the DVD, but the real teaching is left up to master of martial arts, Yasuhiro Yamashita, who is an Olympic Judo champion.

Sorry gang -- no word yet on whether the DVD will be released in North America.