President-elect Barack Obama personally thanked a handful of military service members after a morning workout.

Obama was up early Monday to visit the gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii with his wife, Michelle.

After the workout, he walked up to about 20 people in the parking lot, posed for pictures and chatted for a few minutes.

He said, "Thank you, guys. Appreciate your service."

From there, Obama returned to his rented $9 million oceanfront home in Kailua where he and his family are staying for the Christmas holiday.

Michelle Obama remained behind at the gym.