TikTok’s Viral 75 Hard Challenge Gains Momentum in 2025

The intense 75-day regimen promises mental toughness but faces criticism for its extreme demands and lack of flexibility.

The 75 Hard challenge, created in 2019 by entrepreneur Andy Frisella, has surged in popularity on TikTok, with over a billion views under its hashtag.
The program requires participants to follow strict daily tasks, including two 45-minute workouts, a healthy diet with no cheat meals or alcohol, drinking 3.5 liters of water, reading 10 pages of nonfiction, and taking daily progress photos for 75 consecutive days.
Experts warn that the challenge’s rigidity may be unsustainable for many, especially those balancing work, family, or other responsibilities, and lacks clinical validation for its claimed benefits.
Softer adaptations like 75 Medium and 75 Soft have emerged, offering more manageable alternatives with flexible rules, such as one workout per day, rest days, and occasional indulgences.
Critics emphasize the importance of sustainable, personalized wellness approaches, suggesting small, incremental changes over extreme programs for long-term success.