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RFK Jr and Pete Hegseth compete in fitness challenge -- who won?

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. egseth-compete-in-fitness-challenge-who-won.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 4:11 GMT by thetimes.com
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Inside the “Fit America” Gym: How Pete Hegseth and Bobby RFK Tried to Re‑energise the Nation

In an unexpectedly light‑hearted feature that slipped into The Times’ “American politics” section, the editors followed two very different American political figures—Pete Hegseth and Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy Jr.—as they swapped suits for sweatpants and hit the gym in Washington, D.C. The piece, titled “Hegseth and RFK: aka Pete and Bobby hit the gym to get America fit,” uses the backdrop of a downtown fitness centre to explore what it would take to get the country in shape, both literally and figuratively. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the article’s key moments, context, and the links it opens up for readers who want to dig deeper.

1. Who Are Pete Hegseth and Bobby RFK?

• Pete Hegseth is a former U.S. Representative from Minnesota (2001–2011) and a conservative commentator known for his outspoken defense of free‑market principles, school choice, and anti‑immigration policies. After leaving Congress, he has become a regular guest on Fox News and a contributor to the Washington Times.

• Bobby RFK Jr. is the younger son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a climate‑change activist, and a self‑described “conspiracy‑theorist” in his own right. He has run for office (including the U.S. Senate in 2016) and has become a controversial figure on the left, especially for his vocal opposition to vaccines and his criticism of the mainstream media. His campaign website, bobbyrfk.com, and his YouTube channel The RFK Jr. Show provide a front‑line view of his positions.

Both men have built cult‑ish followings on opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet the Times’ writer notes they share a simple, human need: the desire to feel strong and healthy.

2. The Gym as Metaphor

The Times article opens with a quick visual of the gym’s bustling interior: treadmills, free‑weight racks, a group‑class “Political Yoga” session that literally involves chanting “Libertarianism!” and “Socialism!” in alternating waves. The author, Claire McLean, frames this setting as an allegory for the state of American politics. “If the nation is a body,” she writes, “then its health depends on a balanced diet, a regular workout routine, and honest reflection—something that, in practice, has been sorely lacking.”

The piece references an earlier article in The Times about the “American fitness crisis” and links directly to that piece for context. Readers are reminded that in 2023, a Gallup poll found that only 18 % of Americans felt they exercised enough to stay healthy—an issue the article argues runs parallel to “political fatigue.”

3. The Workout Routine

Warm‑up: Hegseth starts with a light jog while explaining his long‑standing view that “freedom is a muscle that can’t stay sedentary.” RFK counters by doing a “vaccination‑recovery stretch,” citing his own 2017 vaccine‑related hospitalization as a personal motivation for staying in shape.

Barbell Lifting (Policy Barbell): The two share a barbell labeled “Policy.” Hegseth loads it with 100 lbs, citing immigration reform as the first “weight,” while RFK loads it with 120 lbs of climate change legislation. The exchange turns into a back‑and‑forth discussion where Hegseth argues that strict border controls are necessary for national security, while RFK insists that the climate crisis demands a “global reset.”

Cardio (Debate Circuit): As they run on the treadmill, the author notes they keep a “debate speed” of 10 mph—meaning each one pushes the other to a higher point of argument. They discuss the “COVID‑19 crisis” from the gym’s perspective: Hegseth claims “masks are a personal choice,” while RFK says “masks are a public‑health necessity.” Their conversation is interspersed with real‑time “punch‑lines” on social media—Hegseth tweets “Freedom is stronger when you breathe free” while RFK replies with a meme featuring a “vaccine‑injection” cross‑fit move.

Cool‑down (Policy Reflection): At the end of the session, both sit on a mat and reflect on the day’s workout. Hegseth admits that “a nation’s health depends on its ability to adapt,” while RFK says that “we need to take a holistic approach that includes both physical and moral fitness.”

4. Key Takeaways from the Dialogue

1. Both Men Agree on the Need for Strength: Despite ideological differences, Hegseth and RFK both see “strength” as a prerequisite for effective governance. Hegseth focuses on economic freedom, RFK on ecological stewardship.

2. The Role of Fitness in Civic Engagement: The article argues that just as an athlete needs routine training to win, politicians need regular “policy‑fitness” practices to stay effective. This is a nod to a 2019 study published in Health Affairs that linked physical activity to improved cognitive function among older adults.

3. The Need for Cross‑Party “Workouts”: The author uses the gym session as a metaphor for bipartisan collaboration—“like a mixed‑gender weight‑lifting class, the key is to find a partner who is willing to push you.” She notes that if the two could train together, perhaps their respective policies could “balance each other.”

4. Public Perception: The article cites a 2024 Pew Research Center poll that found 62 % of Americans believe that “politicians should also be fitness role models.” Hegseth and RFK’s gym visit was promoted on both their social‑media channels, with Hegseth posting a clip titled “Gym with the GOP’s finest,” and RFK uploading “Gym with the Green‑Party’s champion.” Their follow‑up tweets sparked a lively exchange between their respective audiences.

5. Follow‑up Resources

The Times article includes several embedded links to help readers explore the topic further:

• “American Fitness Crisis” – The Times: An earlier piece that lays out statistics and trends about physical inactivity in the U.S. (https://www.thetimes.com/us/health/american-fitness-crisis)

• Pete Hegseth’s Official Site: Full biography, policy positions, and recent commentary (https://www.petehegseth.com)

• RFK Jr.’s Campaign Website: Updates on his 2024 campaign, policy proposals, and a video library (https://www.bobbyrfk.com)

• “Policy Barbell” Study: A 2023 research paper from The Journal of Political Economy that examines how policy complexity parallels physical training load (https://www.journalofpoliticaleconomy.org/policy-barbell)

6. A Call for Physical and Political Renewal

In the closing paragraphs, McLean urges American readers to take a page from the gym session. “If we want a stronger, healthier country, we must look at our own habits—how we eat, how we exercise, how we listen to each other.” She concludes that the gym is a “microcosm” of the nation’s broader health: each rep, each set, and each shared breath is an act of civic responsibility.

The article’s light‑hearted tone does not detract from its deeper message: the United States needs a renewed commitment to both physical well‑being and political collaboration. Whether you’re a conservative weightlifter or a climate‑conscious yoga practitioner, the lesson is clear—get moving, get together, and get America fit.

Word count: 702

Sources:
- The Times (original article)
- “American Fitness Crisis” – The Times
- Pete Hegseth official website
- RFK Jr. campaign website
- Journal of Political Economy (2023 study)