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Pete Hegseth’s Bad Workout Form

Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, has been criticized for his poor workout form in videos posted by the Pentagon. Critics argue that he fails to follow proper exercise techniques, including not fully extending his arms during bench presses and kipping during pull-ups.

By The Atlantic·Jul 20·theatlantic.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Pete Hegseth’s Bad Workout Form
Image: theatlantic.com

Pete Hegseth's workout videos have been criticized for his poor form, including not fully extending his arms during bench presses and kipping during pull-ups. This is ironic given his own criticism of others for their lack of push-up prowess.

Why it matters

Pete Hegseth's workout videos are a trademark of his tenure as secretary of defense, and his poor form has been criticized by experts. This matters because it raises questions about his commitment to proper exercise techniques and his ability to lead by example.

Imagine you're at the gym and you see someone doing a workout incorrectly. They're not using the right form, and it looks like they're going to get hurt. That's basically what's happening with Pete Hegseth's workout videos. He's not following the proper form, and it's making his workouts look easy. But the thing is, proper form is important for getting the most out of your workout and preventing injury. So, it's kind of ironic that Hegseth is criticizing others for their lack of push-up prowess when he's not even following the proper form himself.

Analysis

A Secretary's Workout Woes

Pete Hegseth's workout videos have become a staple of his tenure as secretary of defense. However, critics have been quick to point out that his form is often subpar. In a recent video, Hegseth was seen not fully extending his arms during a bench press, making the exercise easier than it needs to be. This is a problem because proper form is essential for getting the most out of a workout and preventing injury.

The Marines Have Standards

The U.S. Marine Corps has strict guidelines for proper exercise form, including the bench press. According to the Marine guide, soldiers must not 'jerk or shrug the shoulders, arch the back, or allow the hips to rise off the bench.' Hegseth's form fails to meet these standards, and it's not the first time he's been criticized for his poor technique.

A Pattern of Poor Form

Hegseth's poor form is not limited to the bench press. In a recent challenge, he was seen kipping during pull-ups, a technique that is forbidden by the Marines. This is ironic given his own criticism of others for their lack of push-up prowess. It's also a problem because kipping can lead to injury and prevent you from getting the most out of your workout.

The Consequences of Poor Form

Hegseth's poor form is not just a matter of personal pride. It also raises questions about his commitment to proper exercise techniques and his ability to lead by example. As secretary of defense, Hegseth is responsible for setting the standard for the military's physical fitness program. If he can't even follow proper form himself, how can he expect others to do so?

Key points

  • Pete Hegseth's workout videos have been criticized for his poor form.
  • Hegseth's form fails to meet the standards set by the U.S. Marine Corps.
  • Hegseth has been criticized for his poor form in the past, including during a recent challenge.
  • Proper form is essential for getting the most out of a workout and preventing injury.
  • Hegseth's poor form raises questions about his commitment to proper exercise techniques and his ability to lead by example.
The Upside

If Pete Hegseth can take steps to improve his workout form and follow proper techniques, it could set a positive example for the military's physical fitness program. This could lead to a culture of accountability and a focus on proper form, which would be beneficial for the military's overall health and fitness.

The Downside

If Pete Hegseth continues to prioritize his own interests over proper workout form, it could lead to a culture of complacency and a lack of accountability within the military's physical fitness program. This could result in a decrease in overall health and fitness, and potentially even injuries.

Originally reported at

theatlantic.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsus-politicsunited-statesmilitaryfitnessexercise

Author

The Atlantic

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 20, 2026

Source

theatlantic.com

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Topics

us-politicsunited-statesmilitaryfitnessexercise

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