75 Hard has a cult following. Is it worth it?

Thousands of people each year take part in this 75-day program intended to build “mental toughness,” according to its creator, but health experts warn that the program could be too rigid and intense.

Two daily 45-minute workouts. A gallon of water. 10 pages of a non-fiction book. A diet. No “cheat meals” or alcohol. For 75 days.

And if you make a mistake, you have to start from the beginning.

Seems like a lot ? It's supposed to be. The program, called 75 Hard, aims to develop mental toughness. Some say the stiffness is what makes it great, and others say it makes it problematic.

Since its inception in 2019, 75 Hard has developed a kind of worship, with practitioners posting daily photos and videos of their progress that sometimes rack up millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. One of Reddit's largest subreddits, with over 44,000 members, is dedicated to the program.

But is it beneficial and are the changes lasting? Psychologists say that while the program may have mental health benefits, some vulnerable groups may go too far without benefiting. Exercise experts also say the diet might be too strenuous for those who aren't already young and active, and could lead to physical injury.

"It may seem really cool and exciting and useful, but is it something that is ultimately really useful, sustainable, good for the person? asked Dr Thea Gallagher, clinical psychologist and director of wellbeing programs at the University of New York.

“It would be great to continue more rigorous research around these exciting programs.-slash-challenges,” she said. p>

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