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The dramatic transformation videos alone showcasing peoples bodies before and after are clearly enticing.

But is the challenge really as good for you as it claims to be?

What is the 75 Hard Challenge?

woman sweating in the gym

an anti-diet dietitian based in Raleigh, North Carolina

Is 75 Hard actually good for you?

I really just think that the 75 Hard Challenge is so rigid for no reason.

In fact, the program is characterized by vagueness.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Participants are tasked with following a structured diet but not given a specific diet to follow.

You must complete two 45-minute workouts but there are no guidelines on what types of workouts to do.

And the promised outcomes are just as ambiguous: increased confidence, fortitude, and grittiness.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

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Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

an anti-diet dietitian based in Raleigh, North Carolina

Byrne worries that the challenge might actually have the opposite effect for some.

All of this can build to not only physical exhaustion, but mental exhaustion as well, MacPherson says.

But what about the mental toughness aspect?

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

Well, it depends on your definition.

The program also leaves little room for you to be in tune with your own body, MacPherson adds.

For some people, this is harder than following a fad blindly.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Is 75 Soft a better option?

Theres a newer, more forgiving version of this challenge circulating called 75 Soft.

But while its definitely less stringent than its predecessor, its by no means a cakewalk.

Thats definitely not soft, she says.

There are also countless other ways to foster mental toughness without devoting yourself to a extreme fitness trend.

MacPherson recommends leaning into forms of movement that you already love and finding ways to push yourself.

If youre a runner, have a go at tack on some extra miles each week.

If youre a yogi, commit to learning a new pose once a month.

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