Pete Hegseth roasted by fitness experts for military ‘workout’ videos he keeps sharing

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing criticism from fitness experts regarding the form shown in his military exercise videos. These clips, which often feature him performing push-ups, pull-ups, and kettlebell swings, are now under scrutiny by professionals who argue that his techniques fall short of standard military protocols.

Experts note that Hegseth frequently uses momentum to complete repetitions, a practice often referred to as kipping. Retired brigadier general and physical education expert Maureen LeBoeuf stated that the specific kicking motions he displays during pull-ups are prohibited under established training guidelines. Other coaches pointed out that his kettlebell form places unnecessary strain on his shoulders and back.

This criticism arrives at a time when Hegseth has made physical fitness a central pillar of his tenure as defense secretary. He has introduced new, stricter fitness and grooming standards across the military, including mandatory testosterone screenings for officers. His public focus on these metrics has made the technical failures in his own videos a point of contention among critics who argue that he should model the standards he enforces on the troops.

The Defense Department has dismissed these critiques as superficial. Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez characterized the reports as politically motivated nitpicking, noting that similar scrutiny was never applied to previous officials. Despite this defense, the clash between Hegseth's public emphasis on rigorous discipline and his own exercise form remains a topic of active discussion.