What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

Considering trying the 75 Hard Challenge? The 75 Soft Challenge might be a better choice if you want to commit to creating new habits that don't involve dangerous restrictions or extreme lifestyle changes.

If you haven't heard about the viral 75 Hard Challenge that has taken TikTok by storm (that's right, the term has over 500 million views and counting), it's a hardcore daily routine that was created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella to "build mental strength and discipline".

While countless fans of the programme have taken to social media to share their results after doing the 75 day challenge, others have questioned its potentially dangerous and extreme 'rules' that could trigger many into making unhealthy decisions.

Instead, the 75 Soft Challenge is a more accessible alternative to the trend, encouraging users to stick to some healthy habits for 75 days, but with far less restrictions. Here's what we know...

There is actually a version of the challenge that came about in 2019, created by lifestyle site The Pohhu Experience - but the TikTok trend was inspired by Stephen Gallagher, or @StephenGFitness on the video sharing site.

It incorporates four rules - unlike the original which has five - and as the name suggests, it's a much kinder and more realistic challenge.

What are the rules of the 75 Soft Challenge?

  1. Eat well and only drink on social occasions.
  2. Train for 45 minutes everyday for 75 days. One day a week is to be active recovery.
  3. Drink three litres of water a day.
  4. Read 10 pages of any book a day.

Why is the 75 Soft Challenge more realistic than 75 Hard?

The 75 Hard Challenge requires participants to religiously "follow a diet" and drink no alcohol (any diet will do, apparently, without giving any advice or caveats), do two 45 minute workouts a day (one outside, no matter the weather), drink a gallon of water, read 10 pages of inspirational non-fiction a day and take a picture of your body everyday.

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

For anyone with any sort of disordered relationship with food or exercise, or anyone who leans towards more obsessive behaviour, this could trigger some potentially dangerous habits. And while the challenge states it is for "mental toughness" rather than anything to do with weight loss, the idea of taking daily 'transformational' photos certainly suggests a focus on appearance rather than wellbeing.

While the 75 Soft Challenge encourages participants to move their body everyday, it incorporates active rest and suggests limiting drinking alcohol rather than removing it completely. The rule of "eating well" is much more expansive, and Stephen's own meals always include a variety of food groups, rather than anything restrictive.

What are people saying about the viral challenges?

While some people enjoy extreme challenges and the difficult nature of them, others have spoken out about how they felt the 75 Hard Challenge would be triggering, or that the rigidity of the routine is unnecessary.

"When you want to do it but you have ADHD and a history of eating disorders so it’s probs a bad idea and you’ll forget you’re even doing the challenge," one TikTok user commented under a viral video on the 75 Hard Challenge. Another responded: "Or... enjoy things in moderation and get long term results."

Of the 75 Soft Challenge, however, many are loving it as a way to kickstart a routine without feeling it's being taken to restrictive or extreme behaviours. “Ah, yes. Finally, [a] SUSTAINABLE challenge that is realistically attainable!” one commented.

Others have created their own versions of the challenge, incorporating journalling or mindfulness instead of any control when it comes to food. 

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The 75 Hard Challenge has been rampant on social media, but it isn’t for everyone and is potentially dangerous. If you’re looking for an effective alternative to the extreme plan, check out our 75 Soft Challenge.

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

First – let’s take a look at 75 Hard

We first heard about Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard extreme challenge in 2020. The free “transformational mental toughness program” includes 6 rigid rules to obey for 75 days.

The podcast host of RealAF created the 75 Hard Challenge, and he doesn’t have any medical background that we could find. 

The 6 Daily Rules for 75 Hard

  1. Follow a diet & consume no alcohol.
  2. Complete Two 45-minute workouts, and one has to be outside.
  3. Eat no cheat meals
  4. Take a progress picture daily
  5. Drink 1 gallon of water
  6. Read 10 pages of a personal development book (audiobooks don’t count)

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

Can I modify 75 Hard?

No, you cannot modify the 75 Hard Challenge according to the creator, Andy Frisella.

If you don’t hit all 6 rules 100%, it’s back to Day 1 for you! Mind you, these are all rules he’s come up with. 

We’ve found most dietitians, personal trainers, or therapists would say this is too extreme. The challenge actually could cause you more physical and mental issues than you started with!

Sounds crazy, right?

If you’ve read to this point and you’re going, “uh no, thanks! That’s nuts.” You’re our people. HA!

Cue the 75 Soft Challenge!

What is the 75 Soft Challenge?

The 75 Soft Challenge, also called a 75 Easy Challenge, is a realistic mind and body challenge that can fit into even a busy lifestyle!

The free challenge focuses on a flexible meal plan, workouts, and personal development to help you feel and look your best. 

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

If you’d benefit from additional trackers, recipe ideas, meal planners, and more — you may also like our 75 Soft Book! It’s available as an instant download. Get 50% off with code READER.

  1. Choose foods that fuel your body properly 90% of the time
  2. Workout 4x a week at least a half hour 
  3. Take a picture on Day 1 & Day 75
  4. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day
  5. Pray or meditate 5+ minutes a day
  6. Read or listen to 10 minutes of personal development a day

You can get LES MILLS on Demand for free for 30 days to get started!

How do you do a 75 Soft?

You can do a 75 Soft Challenge by modifying the rules of 75 Hard to not be so crazy intense. We recommend choosing a start date and committing to the 75 Soft Challenge Checklist below!

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

75 Soft Challenge Checklist

The 75 Soft Challenge Checklist was designed based on the feedback we read from nutrition experts and personal trainers. (You can read more about that at 5 Legit Reasons You Should to Avoid 75 Hard)

These rules are designed to give structure to your days so that you can progress towards your goals.

We are not condoning an all-or-nothing mindset. If you break one of these rules on Day 15, get back on track Day 16! 

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

Click Here for a Printable Version of the 75 Soft Challenge Checklist

We hope this 75 Soft Challenge Checklist motivates and empowers you versus feeling like a slave to a silly Internet challenge.

Want more trackers? Check out our 75 Soft Challenge Book! Get 50% with code READER.

Our goal for this “75 Day Easy Challenge” is to help men and women feel confident in their mind and body and also pass along healthy habits to their family and friends.

Here’s a Quick & Easy 75 Soft Challenge Tracker!

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

75 Soft Resources

After several challengers asked, we put together a 75 Soft Book!

It includes additional trackers, recipe ideas, meal planners, and more, and it’s available as an instant download. Get 50% off with code READER.

Diet Ideas

  • 9 Week SIMPLE Meal Plan for You & Your Family
  • What is Clean Eating? Tips, Meal Plans and Recipes
  • Our Favorite Diet Book: Joy Bauer’s 90/10 Diet

Workouts

  • Get a Free Trial to Les Mills on Demand
  • Learn More about LES MILLS — Beginners Guide

We love LES MILLS BODYPUMP and BODYCOMBAT! Grab a free workout calendar here!

Personal Development

  • Born to Win by Zig Ziglar
  • The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
  • Boundaries by Henry Cloud
  • Morning Routine System to Maximize Your Time (Without Stressing!)

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

Our 75 Soft Bundle

We put together an ebook that includes 50 PAGES of helpful ideas including: weekly & daily trackers, meal planners, personal development ideas, how to pick a workout you ENJOY, and EASY recipes that you AND your family will love!

Click Here for a Special Price on the Bundle!

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What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?
What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 soft?

What is the difference between 75 Hard and soft?

The rules are simple, you have a list of things to complete every single day for 75 days. The hard version makes zero exceptions for off days, but with the soft version there will be a few exceptions.

What is the 75 day soft challenge?

What are the rules of the 75 Soft Challenge? Eat well and only drink on social occasions. Train for 45 minutes everyday for 75 days. One day a week is to be active recovery.

What is the easier version of 75 Hard?

The 75 Soft Challenge, also called a 75 Easy Challenge, is a realistic mind and body challenge that can fit into even a busy lifestyle!

Can you drink on 75 soft?

The 75 Hard Challenge rules Absolutely no alcohol or cheat meals are allowed (it doesn't specify what counts as a cheat meal) Complete two 45-minute workouts per day (one of them has to be outside, no matter the weather) Drink 4.5 litres of water each day. Take a daily progress photo.