Abbott and Obama become workout buddies

Tony Abbott has a new gym buddy.

The prime minister has told the TODAY show he shared a workout with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of this week's special UN meeting in New York.

"We were gym buddies this morning," Mr Abbott laughed.

"He was on treadmill, I was on the bike, so I guess we both stuck to our strengths."

Karl Stefanovic told the prime minister: "It's like the beach volleyball scene from Top Gun, it conjures up all sorts of images."

"Haha," Mr Abbott replied.