Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary and a well-known fitness enthusiast, has become the center of a new controversy. This time, it is not over policy, but his workout attire.

Kennedy was recently spotted hiking up Arizona’s Camelback Mountain in a pair of dark blue jeans on a scorching 107°F day, as reported by The Guardian. Photos of him drenched in sweat while climbing in a T-shirt and jeans quickly went viral, prompting both admiration for his stamina and concern for his sartorial and safety choices.

Kennedy, known for his unconventional stances on various health issues, has developed a pattern of working out in jeans.

Whether it’s hiking, lifting weights, or even wading into creeks, he seems committed to denim regardless of the activity or weather conditions.

While some fans praised his grit, others questioned the health implications of exercising in such restrictive clothing, especially given that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which falls under his department, advises people to wear "loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing" during extreme heat to avoid heatstroke and other complications.

Why Denim Isn’t Built for the Gym

While Kennedy’s denim devotion has captured public attention, fitness experts and health professionals advise caution when it comes to choosing workout attire.

Here’s why jeans aren’t the best choice for physical activity:

Restricted Range of Motion

Jeans are typically made from thick, non-stretchy fabric, which can severely limit mobility during exercise. Movements required in activities like squats, lunges, and even basic stretching become difficult, which not only reduces workout effectiveness but may also increase the risk of injury.

Personal trainer Justin Kraft, speaking to Newsweek, pointed out that restricting motion can be harmful, especially for those with pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure or sciatica.

Low Breathability and Overheating

Unlike moisture-wicking fabrics found in gym wear, denim traps heat and sweat. In hot weather or high-intensity workouts, this lack of breathability can lead to overheating, discomfort, and even heat exhaustion. The Guardian noted that Kennedy hiked during record-breaking Arizona heat, despite warnings from the CDC about dressing appropriately in extreme temperatures.

Chafing and Skin Irritation

Chafing is a common side effect of exercising in jeans. The seams and heavy fabric can rub harshly against the skin, particularly in areas like the inner thighs, leading to painful rashes or abrasions.

Not Designed for Functionality

While jeans might offer some resistance, experts say there are better alternatives for those looking to add intensity to workouts. Weighted vests, resistance bands, slam balls, and other functional gear provide added challenge without compromising comfort or safety..

Yoga has many poses, sometimes called asanas, with 84 main ones and millions of variations. Whether you're new to yoga or have practiced for years, the most important thing isn't to do every pose perfectly. Instead, it's about moving your body in ways that feel good and don't cause injury. As a beginner you must learn how to make yoga poses easier for you, this can actually make your practice much stronger overall.

What "Modifying" a Yoga Pose Means

Yoga is an ancient practice, and the pictures you often see show the most advanced versions of poses. Some of these can be very hard and take years to achieve. When you modify a yoga pose, you're simply adjusting it to fit your own skill level.

Sometimes, when people hear "modification," they might feel like they can't do a pose. But if you understand why you're doing a pose, you can choose an option that feels comfortable for your body.

How to Know When to Modify a Pose

The Cleveland Clinic explains that the first sign you need to change a yoga pose is pain. If you get into a pose and it feels a little uncomfortable or tight because you're stretching, that's okay. However, if something hurts, you need to stop. Don't try to push through pain. If it hurts, you should adjust the pose right away.

Yoga Stretching Tips for Beginners

Let's go back to those uncomfortable feelings. When you're stretching, remember that it takes time for your muscles to relax and lengthen. Your breathing is a huge part of this process.

If you push too far too quickly, your muscles will tighten up, which is the opposite of what you want. It takes about eight seconds for your muscles to even understand what you're trying to do. When stretching, start very gently and slowly go deeper. Also, focus on your breath. When you breathe out, that's the part where your body releases and relaxes. So, focus on exhaling as you try to stretch a little bit further. Here are some poses and how can you modify them.

Downward-Facing Dog

This pose stretches your whole body, forming an upside-down "V." Push into your hands and feet, lifting hips high. For comfort, bend your knees if hamstrings are tight, or place blocks under your hands for wrist support. You can also widen your feet for more stability and a gentler stretch.

Warrior II

Warrior II is a strong standing pose building leg and core strength while opening hips. Stand with one foot forward, knee bent over ankle, other foot turned out, arms stretched sideways. To modify, shorten your stance, avoid bending your front knee too deeply, or place hands on hips to ease shoulder strain, maintaining balance.

Seated Forward Fold

This relaxing pose stretches your hamstrings, spine, and shoulders. Sit with legs extended, then gently fold from hips, reaching towards feet or shins. If hamstrings are tight, bend your knees a lot. Use a strap around your feet or sit on a folded blanket to help you hinge comfortably.

Tree Pose

Tree pose requires balance. Stand on one leg, placing the other foot on your inner thigh or shin (avoiding the knee). For support, use a chair nearby to hold onto until you feel steady. You can also start by keeping your toes on the floor, with your heel just above your ankle, before lifting your foot higher.

Pigeon Pose

Pigeon pose can be intense for tight hips. One leg bends in front, the other stretches behind. To modify, place a blanket under your hips for support. You can also adjust your leg position into a "zigzag" shape by bringing the back knee forward, which still provides a good hip stretch comfortably.

Using Blocks for Balancing Poses (like Triangle or Half Moon)

For poses that involve bending sideways toward the floor, such as Triangle Pose and Half Moon, yoga blocks are very useful. Place a block under your hand instead of trying to reach the floor. This provides essential support, helps maintain proper body alignment, and ensures you get the correct stretch without straining.

If you are someone who does yoga or have even read about yoga and its poses, practices, etc., you may have noticed an interesting fact about the exercise. Many of the poses in yoga often have animal names in them, like cobra pose, bird pose, cat-cow pose etc. That is because, as a practice of health and healing, yoga pulls from our own surroundings. Nature has inspired many poses in yoga such as tree pose, mountain pose and many more.

One such pose is inspired by dogs. Downward Dog is one of the most famous yoga poses, but it's easy to do it wrong! Things like rounding your back, putting your feet too far apart, or pushing too much weight into your wrists can actually cause more of a stretch than you need, and even lead to injuries.

What Is Downward Dog?

Downward Dog (also called Downward-Facing Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana in fancy yoga language) is a basic yoga pose. You'll often see it used to connect other movements, like in a Sun Salutation sequence. It's also a way to rest actively, stretch your body, and make yourself stronger all at once. It gives you a moment to check in with how you're feeling during your yoga practice.

In this pose, your body looks like an upside-down "V" shape, or like a pyramid. Imagine a straight line going from the top of your head, through your back, and right up to the ceiling from your bottom.

How to Do Downward Dog the Right Way

Downward Dog usually isn't the first thing you do in a yoga session. It's best to warm up your muscles and joints a bit first. Once you're warmed up, follow these steps. according to the Cleveland Clinic:

1. Put your hands right under your shoulders (about shoulder-width apart) and your knees directly under your hips.
2. Spread your fingers wide and press firmly into your whole hand. Tuck your toes under, as if you're trying to grip the floor.
3. As you breathe out, push your hips up and back, like someone's pulling your bottom towards the ceiling. This makes your body look like an upside-down "V."
4. Focus on keeping your back flat and straight, not rounded. Let your head and neck hang loosely between your upper arms. Think about pushing the floor away from you with your arms to keep them strong.
5. Pull your belly button in towards your spine to use your core muscles.
6. Keep your legs straight. If it feels okay, try to gently drop your heels towards the floor, but don't force it down.
7. Shift your weight a little between your hands and feet until you feel steady and comfortable in the pose.
8. Stay in this pose for 10 to 15 seconds, and remember to keep breathing deeply.
9. If the stretch feels too much, simply bend your knees a little and adjust your position until it feels better.
10. When you're done, breathe out and either move into your next yoga pose or gently lower yourself down to the floor into Child's Pose.

Benefits of Downward Dog (and Who Should Be Careful)

Downward-Facing Dog gives you a full-body stretch and also strengthens many parts of your body, including your:

• Shoulders
• Arms (triceps and biceps)
• Stomach muscles (abs/core)
• Backs of your thighs (hamstrings)
• Bottom (glutes)
• Fronts of your thighs (quads)
• Hip muscles (hip flexors)
• Knee joints

This pose really improves how flexible you are and how well you can control your movements. It also acts as a moment of active rest. Because your head is lower than your heart, it increases blood flow to your head and upper body.

Can you really pack all your weekly exercise into the weekend and still get the benefits? If you have diabetes, the answer might surprise you. A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that people with diabetes who follow a "weekend warrior" workout routine squeezing all their recommended physical activity into one or two days have a significantly reduced risk of premature death. Specifically, they were 21% less likely to die from any cause and 33% less likely to die from heart disease, compared to those who don’t exercise at all.

The term "weekend warrior" refers to individuals who do not or cannot exercise daily but instead cram their full weekly dose of recommended activity into one or two sessions typically on weekends.

For adults, the general guideline is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. That can include brisk walking, light cycling, yoga, dancing, or even heavy gardening.

And yes, that entire quota, according to this new study, can be done in just one or two days and still deliver significant health perks.

Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed health and exercise data from nearly 52,000 adults with diabetes, collected between 1997 and 2018 through the U.S. CDC’s National Health Interview Survey. They then compared this with death certificate data from 2019 to draw their conclusions. Here’s what they discovered:

Diabetics who exercised one or two times per week and met the total 150-minute weekly target had a 21% lower risk of all-cause mortality than non-exercisers.

Their risk of death from heart disease was 33% lower.

Even those who exercised more frequently — in three or more sessions a week — saw a 17% reduced overall death risk and 19% less risk of dying from heart disease but the most unexpected insight? Weekend warriors may actually have a slight edge over regular exercisers when it comes to reducing heart-related mortality.

Why Its Important for People With Diabetes to Workout?

If you’re living with diabetes, physical activity isn’t just about burning calories or building muscle. It has a direct impact on blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and long-term cardiovascular health.

• Lowers blood glucose levels during and after activity
• Improves insulin sensitivity, which helps your body use insulin more efficiently
• Reduces HbA1c levels, even without weight loss
• Helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol
• Improves mental health, reduces stress, and boosts energy

In short, movement is medicine especially for people managing a chronic condition like diabetes.

When and How to Work Out With Diabetes?

For people using insulin, the timing of workouts matters. The best time to exercise is typically 1 to 3 hours after a meal, when blood sugar levels are higher. If your blood glucose is under 100 mg/dL before a workout, eat a small snack or piece of fruit first to avoid hypoglycemia. Check your blood sugar before and after workouts — especially intense ones.

Be prepared, carry glucose tablets or candy, and wear a medical alert bracelet.

And remember, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. Whether it’s dancing, hiking, lifting weights, or long weekend walks, movement in any form helps.

What this study ultimately confirms is that flexibility matters. You don’t need to work out daily to gain life-saving benefits especially if weekday schedules make that hard.

Even if your job, caregiving duties, or chronic fatigue prevent you from regular weekday workouts, you still have a powerful tool in your hands. Just 2 to 2.5 hours of physical activity spread over Saturday and Sunday can significantly lower your risk of death and improve how your body handles diabetes.

It’s important to note: this study was observational, meaning it can’t prove cause and effect only association.

The researchers call for more comprehensive studies that track physical activity across entire days, including movement at work or during commutes. Still, this study adds to the growing body of evidence that any movement is better than none, and how you structure it can still produce powerful benefits.

If you’ve been feeling guilty about not being able to hit the gym every day, this research offers a hopeful message: even weekend workouts count, and in some cases, may be just as good or better. So the next time your weekend opens up, lace up those shoes, roll out your yoga mat, or head to the trail. Your body and your heart will thank you.