75 Soft Challenge – An Alternative to 75 Hard

November 17, 2023

Winter is finally here, and we understand all too well how hard it can be to follow our regular fitness routine with many festivals such as Diwali, Christmas, Bihu and let’s not forget everyone’s favourites, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. What if we told you can still enjoy all these amazing activities, all the while making sure that you are staying in shape? That’s right. Ever heard of the 75 Hard Challenge? What if you can do something different or softer? Well, that is what this post is all about.

These days, personal development challenges have become more of a trend across the globe. So, before we go to the topic at hand, let’s learn more about them. It’s true and agreeable that these challenges are created and done for self-improvement, physically and mentally. But there are some out there that can be considered too tough or extreme.

Assessing Your Goals and Preferences

Before you choose to start any of the many viral challenges, it’s incredibly important to think about what you want to achieve and what parts of your body and mind you want to make better. Also, think about what you like to do and how you live your life so you can make a challenge that fits you best. A personalized plan created by your personal trainer or taking some online zoom classes for fitness is preferably the best way to go.

Critique of Extreme Challenges

Now, as we have mentioned earlier, some challenges can be extreme, and a particular challenge may not be for everyone. Let’s take, for instance, the 75 hard challenge. The challenge lacks scientific support, and there are many arguments highlighting that the strict routine it entails is not sustainable, imposes limitations, and may pose potential risks.

The Problem with Arbitrary Self-Improvement Challenges

When you take on challenges without a solid foundation in key health basics, it can lead to issues. This might mean not having enough knowledge about moving, staying active, and eating well. It can also make it tough for you to build healthy habits that last.

What Is The 75 Hard Challenge?

The 75 Soft Challenge is a kinder version of TikTok’s very popular 75 Hard Challenge. With over billions of views for the hashtag #75hard alone on this social media platform, this challenge can be quite tough, with strict rules for a hardcore 75-day routine to boost mental strength and discipline.

The rules are as follows:

Do two workouts every day, one of them outside, and each lasting 45 minutes.
Drink a gallon of water every day.
Stick to a diet without alcohol or cheat meals.
Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book every day.
Take a picture each day to track your progress.

Now, if you miss one day, you have to start all over again. You can see how this might be too extreme for some. Due to its strict rules, there are concerns about its potential to trigger unhealthy habits and the focus on appearance.

Understanding the 75 Soft Challenge

Then, enter the 75 Soft Challenge. It still lasts for 75 days and has rules to follow, but it’s more about building good habits without going to extremes or being too strict. The goal is to help people create healthy habits in a balanced way.

Follow these simple rules for the 75 Soft Challenge to create a healthy routine over 75 days:

Eat well and only have drinks on special occasions.
Exercise for 45 minutes every day, taking one day a week for rest.
Drink three litres of water every day.
Read 10 pages from any book each day.

The Rise of the 75 Soft Challenge

If you’re into TikTok, you might have heard about the 75 Soft Challenge. This trendy health and wellness challenge has become really popular online, especially on platforms like TikTok, where videos of people taking on the challenge get millions of views.

Just like other challenges you might have seen, the main goal of the 75 Soft Challenge is to help you create a balanced and healthy routine. This includes things like regular workouts, eating healthily, and practising mindfulness. Basically, it’s a challenge designed to encourage you to adopt and stick with healthy habits for a period of 75 days.

The 75 Soft Challenge was started in 2019 by The Pohhu Experience, a lifestyle site. It was kind of a response to another challenge called the 75 Hard Challenge, created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella. Frisella describes his challenge as more about mental toughness than fitness.

Why 75 Soft Is More Realistic

Let’s look at why you might find the 75 Soft Challenge more realistic. The 75 Hard Challenge has stricter rules to follow. On the other hand, the 75 Soft Challenge claims to be more practical and doable. It pays attention to mental health, lowers the worry of failing, and gives you more flexibility, especially if you’re busy.

Benefits of 75 Soft for Beginners

The 75 Soft Challenge is a friendlier version for beginners compared to the more intense 75 Hard Challenge.

The cool thing about 75 Soft is that if you miss a day, you don’t have to start all over again. This takes off some pressure and makes it easier to have a healthy relationship with exercise and food.

It’s also more flexible, which means you can still enjoy events with family and friends during the 75 days. Unlike the 75 Hard Challenge, it understands that life happens.

And here’s the best part – it won’t push you to do intense workouts every day, which is good because doing too much exercise can lead to injuries, especially if you’re not used to it.

So, if you’re looking to build healthy habits without feeling overwhelmed, the 75 Soft Challenge might be a good fit. It gives you a plan but also lets you live your life and make healthy choices along the way.

Key Differences Between 75 Hard and 75 Soft Challenges

When deciding between the 75 Soft Challenge and the 75 Hard Challenge, it boils down to what works best for you. Here’s a breakdown of the main differences:

Basis Of Comparisons	75 Soft Challenge	75 Hard Challenge
Intensity	Focuses on manageable daily activities, making it a gentler option for you.	Requires high intensity with tough workouts and strict discipline, suitable for those seeking a more extreme challenge.
Goals	Aims to improve your well-being, reduce stress, and foster personal growth through positive habits.	Concentrates on building your mental toughness, discipline, and resilience, pushing your physical and mental limits.
Accessibility	More accessible, catering to a broader audience due to its less demanding nature, which might be a better fit for you.	Physically and mentally challenging, suitable for those seeking an intense experience.
Sustainability	Generally considered more sustainable over the long term, giving you a better chance at sticking with it.	Can be physically and mentally taxing, potentially leading to burnout if not approached with caution.
Benefits	Ideal for stress reduction, skill development, well-being, and positive daily habits to benefit you.	Builds your mental toughness, discipline, and resilience, while encouraging physical fitness and dietary discipline.
Risk Factors	Low risk, involving fewer chances of physical strain or injury, ensuring a safer journey for you.	Higher risk, especially if workouts are not approached safely, and may not be suitable for individuals with certain health conditions.
Personalization	Allows for more personalization and flexibility in choosing daily activities, letting you tailor the challenge to your preferences.	Has strict rules, offering less room for customization, which may or may not suit your preferences.
Audience	Attracts individuals like you, seeking a gentler approach to personal growth, beginners, or those with limited time.	Appeals to those like you desiring extreme challenges, athletes, or individuals with a strong desire for discipline and mental toughness.

Customising the Challenge

Now that you know just what both 75 Hard and 75 Soft entail, remember that when picking between the 75 Soft Challenge and the 75 Hard Challenge, think about what you like, how fit you are, and what you want to achieve. Before you decide, think about your life, health, and how much you’re ready to commit. Each challenge is different, so choose the one that fits you best.

There is another option of the 75 Challenge you can try, and it’s called the 75 Medium Challenge. It’s not just effective; it’s also more achievable for you, especially if you’re busy and want to look and feel your best!

Here are the rules for the 75 Medium Challenge:

Diet: Aim to follow your chosen diet 90% of the time.
Exercise: Do a 45-minute workout every day.
Hydration: Drink water equal to half your body weight.
Progress Photos: Take a photo on both Day 1 and Day 75.
Mindfulness: Spend 5 minutes each day meditating or praying.
Personal Development: Read or listen to personal development content for 10 minutes daily.

The Importance of Consistency and Balance

For any progress to be seen, you must remember that the best fitness challenge is one that can be done consistently. We cannot stress enough the importance of balance and sustainability in a fitness challenge. So, before you choose any program, consider the time commitment and preparation required so that you will be able to reach your fitness goal.

Expert Advice on Choosing a Fitness Challenge

Now that we have come to the end of this post, allow us to leave you with a few pieces of advice. Before choosing any challenges, it’s incredibly important to prioritise your well-being and make informed decisions. Remember, the goal is not just fitness but overall well-being. Put your health first at every step. Consider factors like your current fitness level, any health conditions, and your personal goals. Always start by consulting health professionals, like the experienced fitness trainers at 6262 Fitness! They have the expertise to assess your unique needs and guide you toward a program that suits you best. Your health is unique, and when you have professionals by your side, they will help you with a tailored approach.