U.S. officials from the Donald Trump administration launched a challenge exercise that requires participants to perform pull-ups and push-ups within a short period to emphasize the importance of physical health.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense on the 21st (local time), Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. participated in a fitness session with military personnel at the Department of Defense gym on the 13th.
The goal was to complete 50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups in 10 minutes, and to be rated excellent, participants had to finish within 5 minutes.
Participants included five members each from six organizations: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, and the Ministry of National Defense, with the fastest recorded time being 2 minutes and 43 seconds by a Marine.
The two ministers also participated directly, with 45-year-old Secretary Hegseth completing 50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups in 5 minutes and 25 seconds, while 71-year-old Secretary Kennedy finished in 5 minutes and 48 seconds.
Former Fox News anchor Secretary Hegseth values external image and aims to enhance the military's combat capability. He has previously showcased exercising alongside young service members.
Secretary Kennedy is promoting the 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign. He is often spotted working out in a T-shirt and jeans at a gym in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
This event took the form of a challenge where participants who achieved their goals nominated the next participant. The two ministers noted that 78% of young people in the U.S. are unfit for military service due to physical standards, and they aim to expand the challenge beyond just military personnel to the younger demographic.
Secretary Hegseth said, 'This is solely to make America healthy again. We will not be overweight but healthy. We want new recruits who are ready to take on challenges.'
Secretary Kennedy nominated Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, while Secretary Hegseth nominated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and his former Fox News colleague Will Cain as the next challengers.