The 75 Hard Challenge is going viral on TikTok. Countless individuals have signed up for this program which promises unbelievable fitness results in 75 days. But experts are warning that it could be dangerous.
What is the 75 Hard Challenge?
The 75 Hard Challenge calls for individuals to follow a healthy diet, complete two 45-minute workouts, take a daily progress picture, drink a gallon of water, and read 10 pages of a book every day. If they miss a day, they must restart.
The program was created by supplement seller and YouTuber Andy Frisella. He refers to it as a “transformative mental toughness program” that can “change your life” and give you “complete control”. He says it has been completed by over 100,000 people around the world.
TikToker @missgreeneyes15 shared a before and after video that shows how she lost 21.2 pounds on the program.
Sabrina Reynolds took to the platform to describe how much better she feels after losing 23 pounds in 75 days.
@Philthemachine shared before and after videos in which he states that the program “pulled (him) through a nervous breakdown and saved (his) life.”
The social media platform is also filled with footage from disappointed people saying they failed the challenge and are now starting over or giving up.
Opposition to the 75 Hard Challenge
While the program has yielded some positive results, it is gaining negative feedback from experts like Global Nike trainer Lauren Schramm who says she’s “strongly opposed to this type of program.”
“It pushes the boundaries of safety for the majority of the population and does not promote healthy levels of movement, diet, and rest,” she states.
She went on to say that the program “does not seem realistic for the average person” and that it “promotes the idea that fitness, health, and wellness are all or nothing’” as opposed to “balancing acts”.
The regimen has also been called out because it does not entail rest days. Without rest days, muscles cannot repair themselves and the body is unable to properly absorb nutrients and restore energy levels.
Professional trainer Daniela Celi says the program can work for a person with a flexible lifestyle if the workouts’ intensity is closely monitored. But she also points out potential mental health drawbacks.
“It’s important to note that physical stress can also cause mental stress which may have the opposite of the potential benefits of the program,” she said.
She recommends that people start small when reaching their fitness goals instead of opting for the major overhaul the 75 Hard Challenge requires. She says that finding the right exercise and eating habits calls for some trial and error.
Tara Schmidt, a lead registered dietician at the Mayo Clinic Diet, isn’t completely against the 75 Hard Challenge. She notes that skipping alcohol and cheat meals, taking progress pictures, drinking a lot of water, and reading can have positive effects. But she is concerned that the program may not be sustainable, and she doesn’t approve of the forced activities it entails.
“I understand the desire to fully commit to something, but unfortunately slow and steady wins with your body,” Schramm says.
