What Is the 75 Soft Challenge? (2024)

What a Dietitian and Personal Trainers Think of 75 Soft

Jenna Willis, an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)–certified personal trainer based out of Los Angeles, is a fan of the challenge. “The 75 Soft challenge is an incredible approach to boosting fitness and well-being and is a sustainable approach to leading a healthy lifestyle,” she says.

If someone follows the 75 Soft challenge for the full 75 days, they should expect to gain muscle tone and strength — and, very likely, shed some pounds, she says. Of course, those results will depend on the workouts you choose for the training portion.

And compared with the 75 Hard program, there’s a lower risk of injury if you’re new or returning to exercise, Willis adds. And, it's a more approachable plan for those leading a busy lifestyle because there is lots of room for customization, she says.

“The 75 Soft challenge supports nutritious food choices, a recovery workout, hydration, and reading, all on levels that are obtainable and not a huge life overhaul,” she adds.

RELATED: Post-Workout Muscle Recovery: How to Let Your Muscles Heal and Why

Possibly the only concern, according to Gardner, is that the exercise rule may be overwhelming for some people who aren’t used to working out daily. She adds, however, that the rules let the individual pick the workout of their choosing, so someone new or returning to exercise could tailor their routine to not be too intense and include enough variety.

“To me this is important, because to perform the same exercise (running, for example) every day does risk overuse or stress injury,” she says.

Orlando-based dietitian and ACSM-certified personal trainer Tara Collingwood, RDN, who is also a certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD), credits the plan for addressing both physical and emotional health in ways that are doable and sustainable. “Nothing they are asking is unrealistic,” says Collingwood, who specializes in working with clients on sustainable weight loss.

What Is the 75 Soft Challenge? (2024)

FAQs

What Is the 75 Soft Challenge? ›

75 Soft is a health challenge that is popular on social media outlets like TikTok and Instagram—especially at the start of the new year. It involves eating healthily, limiting alcohol, drinking plenty of water, reading a book, and doing 45 minutes of movement every day for 75 days.

What is the soft 75 challenge? ›

Gallagher outlines the “rules” of the 75 Soft in his viral TikTok: Eat well and only drink on social occasions. Train for 45 minutes every day, 75 days without a day off, and one day for active recovery every week. Drink three liters of water a day.

Does walking count on 75 Soft? ›

Does a walk count as a workout for the 75 Soft Challenge? Yes, a good-paced walk that gets your heart racing can count as a workout for this challenge. As always, choose exercises that fit your fitness level and are safe for you.

How much weight do you lose on 75 Soft? ›

12.2 lbs lost AND 16 inches lost. 75 Soft wasn't easy and I wanted to throw the towel in so many times, but I'm glad I didn't because these results speak for themselves."

Can you have a cheat meal on 75 Soft Challenge? ›

It can be a diet of your choice but you must follow it consistently each day. Drink a gallon of water every day. No cheat meals or alcohol for the full 75 days consecutively. Exercise twice a day for 45 minutes each time, with at least one session happening outside.

What is the difference between 75 Hard and 75 Soft Challenge? ›

The 75 Soft challenge is more realistic than the 75 Hard: It allows you to define what “eating well” and “drinking socially” means to you. It also cuts the amount of daily exercise in half (though it's still 45 minutes).

How do I prepare for the 75 Soft Challenge? ›

Eat well in general and avoid alcohol except for social occasions. Exercise once for 45 minutes each day, with one day of active recovery each week. Drink 3 liters of water daily. Read 10 pages of any book each day.

Is the 75 Soft Challenge worth it? ›

We think that 75 Soft is a generally healthy program that can provide great benefits to your body and mind. Its flexibility and less demanding nature make it a more doable approach than the 75 HARD Challenge.

Is there an app for 75 Soft? ›

The 75 Soft Challenge app offers a host of features to ensure your journey is smooth, motivating, and well-tracked: Progress Tracking: Effortlessly monitor your daily progress in all four categories. The app provides intuitive trackers to record your workout sessions, book reading progress, water intake, and meals.

Can you drink alcohol on 75 Soft? ›

For instance, 75 Soft is diet-free and allows alcohol, whereas 75 Hard instructs participants to follow a diet and not drink alcohol. 75 Soft suggests exercising 6 days a week with 1 day of rest, while 75 Hard encourages working out every day twice a day.

Can I drink diet co*ke on 75 Hard? ›

Yes, since it doesn't have sugars, a diet soda is okay. It doesn't count toward your water intake though.

Can you have sugar on the 75 Hard Challenge? ›

Frisella makes it very clear it's a transformative mental toughness program more than anything else. To accomplish it you will need to do the following for 75 days straight. Follow a nutritional plan of your choosing (i.e. no sugar, no carbs, etc…).

Is soft jiggly fat easier to lose? ›

Subcutaneous fat, while not as dangerous as visceral fat, is much more stubborn and harder to lose. Also called soft fat, subcutaneous is the layer of fat located just under the skin.

What to eat during 75 hard? ›

Opt for whole grains, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and oats. These carbohydrates release energy slowly, keeping you fueled throughout the day. Pay attention to portion control and consume carbs around your workouts for optimal results.

Can I eat pizza on cheat day? ›

Cheat days mean you can have pizza for breakfast, ice cream for lunch and burgers and fries for dinner! On a cheat day, you are allowed to eat whatever you want. It is possible that you may not count the calories as on a normal day.

What is the 90 10 cheat meal rule? ›

While a good diet is crucial for health, bending the rules on occasion probably won't hurt. A tip you can try is the 90-10 rule. "Eat a healthy diet 90% of the time and splurge 10% of the time," McManus says. "Eating three meals a day for a week means 21 total meals: avoid splurging for more than two of those meals."

Why is it called 75 Soft Challenge? ›

In 2021, Ireland-based fitness influencer Stephen Gallagher debuted a less intense version of the regimen called the “75 Soft Challenge.” “It's like the 75 Hard, but for people who don't have the time for two 45-minute workouts a day,” Gallagher said in the video, which now has over 2.5 million views.

How much water do you drink on 75 Soft? ›

The 75 Soft Challenge encourages you to start implementing daily movement into your life, leaving 1 day for active recovery each week. Move your body in a way you enjoy, and see how much stronger you feel. Drink 3 liters (100 fl oz) of water a day.

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