Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing criticism from fitness experts and military observers regarding the form displayed in his widely circulated workout videos. While Hegseth has emphasized strict physical standards for military personnel, including recent initiatives on testosterone screenings and critiques of leadership fitness, analysts at The Atlantic and veteran coaches have identified technical flaws in his push-ups, pull-ups, and kettlebell techniques that they argue would not meet standard military requirements.
Fitness Standards and Technical Critique
The Pentagon’s emphasis on physical readiness has become a central theme of Pete Hegseth’s tenure. However, his public-facing workout content has drawn scrutiny for what critics describe as a sacrifice of proper form for speed. According to The Atlantic, which consulted military fitness guidebooks, Hegseth’s push-ups lack a full range of motion, often described as “half-ups” that would fail to pass muster in any military branch.
Pull-up technique is also under review. While The Atlantic noted his pull-ups were generally textbook, the publication highlighted instances where Hegseth employed “kipping”—a swinging motion that provides momentum. This technique is explicitly forbidden in the eight-page pull-up guide published by the U.S. Marines. Maureen LeBoeuf, a retired brigadier general and former head of physical education at the U.S. Military Academy, remarked that the kicking motion observed in his videos would typically result in a trainer stopping the exercise entirely.
Did you know?
The “Pete & Bobby Challenge,” a fitness test involving 100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups in under 10 minutes, was performed by Hegseth alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last year. During the challenge, Kennedy was observed performing the exercises while wearing jeans.
Professional Assessments of Training Methods
Beyond basic calisthenics, Hegseth’s use of kettlebells has drawn specific technical pushback. Joel Del Rosario, a Marine veteran and professional kettlebell coach, analyzed a January video of Hegseth training with recruits at UCLA. Del Rosario stated that Hegseth brought the weight “far too close to the ground,” a movement he categorized as incorrect because it places unnecessary strain on the shoulders and lower back.
Del Rosario acknowledged that it is common for beginners to struggle with kettlebell form, but noted the discrepancy between Hegseth’s public focus on discipline and the technical lapses in his own execution. “You’d stop somebody; you’d say, ‘Okay, you’re done,'” LeBoeuf said regarding the standards Hegseth promotes versus the standards he demonstrates.
Pentagon Response to Criticism
The Department of Defense has pushed back against the characterization of the Defense Secretary’s workouts. Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez characterized the scrutiny as “nitpicking” and dismissed the criticism as politically motivated.
Valdez pointed to a perceived double standard in media coverage, noting that the physical fitness or workout form of former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not receive similar scrutiny from outlets like The Atlantic. “This is such a stupid thing to nitpick on,” Valdez stated, emphasizing that the focus should remain on policy rather than the performance of individual workout repetitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “kipping” in fitness training?
Kipping is a technique that uses a swinging motion of the body to generate momentum during pull-ups. It is often used in CrossFit, but it is prohibited in many traditional military training manuals because it reduces the isolation of the upper body muscles.
What are the current fitness requirements for the Pentagon?
Standards vary by branch and role, but they generally involve timed tests for push-ups, pull-ups, and running. Hegseth has recently pushed for stricter enforcement of these standards, including requirements for testosterone screenings for young officers.
How does the Pentagon justify the Secretary’s workout videos?
Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez has argued that the criticism is an unfair focus on the Secretary’s personal form, suggesting that similar scrutiny was not applied to previous defense leadership.
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