What Is The 75 Hard Challenge And What Does It Feel Like: Ed Armstrong

Caitlyn Davey • April 2, 2025

The 75 Hard Challenge is a 75-day health and fitness trend that is touted for being one of the toughest ones on record.It was created by Andy Frisella, an author, who is also known for his motivational speeches, supplement company, and his 'Real AF' podcast.The 75 Hard Challenge is a 75-day challenge of 'mental toughness'.It has six main principles that include:Taking a five-minute cold showerReading 10 pages of non-fiction a dayFollowing a diet that doesn't have cheat meals and alcoholWorking out twice a day for at least 45-minutesDrinking four litres of waterTaking progress pictures every dayIf you miss a day, you have to start again.On an episode of the Rebuild Health and Fitness podcast, we discuss the 75 Hard Challenge with Ed Armstrong, a mental health coach based in Sydney, who has completed it a few times. In the podcast, Ed shares why he took part in the challenge, what it feels like, and the ethics behind the challenge.This challenge is designed for those who like to push themselves — though people can get into an amazing shape by taking part in the challenge, the coach's perspective, however, is that the 'work hard, no sleep, strict diet' lifestyle isn't the best to promote. It may be easy to get inspired by someone who does this on a daily basis, those who share their routines online, on the other hand, don't necessarily recommend it. More often than not, the 75-Hard Challenge is something they're doing for their own physical and mental toughness. While challenges of this sort may not be the best thing for you, coaches still wouldn't advise against them.In Ed's experience, Andy's been of great help to him, particularly with regard to mental toughness and career development. His challenge has around four phases in total, and it takes a year to complete it. The basic premise is that it consists of six critical tasks that should be done every day without any breaks or mistakes for 75 days straight. The opinions on this challenge are quite mixed — you'll find coaches who agree that working out for 45-minutes, twice a day, isn't the best coaching strategy, nor is it wise to follow a strict diet of your choice regarding caloric intake. That aside, reading 10 pages of a personal development book, drinking four liters of water, taking progress photos, and taking a five-minute cold shower is relatively bearable and easy to complete. All in all, it has to be completed without any errors, because if there is one, you would be required to start the challenge from the beginning, which makes it quite a demanding program.The 75-Hard Challenge looks more like a mental resilience course, which is one reason people decide to take part in it. However, it's not the best routine to follow if you're looking for something that would benefit your health as a whole.Essentially, it's just to test yourself and push yourself when you don't feel like working out, explains Ed.

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By Rebuild Team April 24, 2025
When the mornings are darker, the beds are warmer, and the rain seems endless, it’s easy to tell yourself you’ll get back to the gym next week. But here’s the truth—winter isn’t a reason to pause your progress. It’s the season that separates the stop-starters from the ones who truly transform. When the mornings are darker, the beds are warmer, and the rain seems endless, it’s easy to tell yourself you’ll get back to the gym next week. But here’s the truth—winter isn’t a reason to pause your progress. It’s the season that separates the stop-starters from the ones who truly transform. At Rebuild, we know that consistency—especially when it’s hard—is what drives real change. So let’s talk about why winter consistency matters, what it does for your body and mind, and how to make sure you keep showing up. Why Consistency in Winter is Crucial Your body doesn’t know it’s winter. It only knows what you do. Skipping weeks at a time means reversing hard-earned progress, both physically and mentally. Research shows that regular strength training improves insulin sensitivity, bone density, and cardiovascular health—even more so when done consistently over time (Westcott, 2012). Momentum matters. Winter is also when stress, low mood, and fatigue creep in for many of us. Exercise has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, thanks to the release of endorphins and the regulation of stress hormones like cortisol (Harvard Health, 2021). So if you're feeling flat—this is the time to move, not pull back. How Staying Active in Winter Helps You Long-Term You avoid the restart trap Every time you stop, it takes longer to get back to where you were. Consistent training keeps your baseline high and avoids the start-again cycle that leaves you feeling frustrated. You build real discipline Motivation will come and go. But the ability to show up regardless—that’s discipline. And discipline spills over into every part of life: work, family, even how you show up for yourself. You’re ahead come spring Want to feel strong, energised, and confident when the layers come off? That starts now. While others are hibernating, you’re laying the groundwork. How to Stay Consistent When It’s Cold and Dark Set a realistic routine Don’t aim for perfection—aim for doable. Three sessions a week with intention is better than chasing five and quitting by June. Train with people who lift you up Community keeps you accountable. It’s easier to leave the house when you know someone’s expecting you. At Rebuild, you're never training alone. Track your progress Strength, reps, conditioning—see the data change. That’s motivation you can measure. Focus on how it makes you feel Training isn’t just for summer bodies. It’s for better sleep, less stress, more patience with the kids, and feeling like you again. Winter isn’t the enemy. It’s the proving ground. So show up. Not just for summer. Not just for weight loss. But for strength, stability, and the version of you that doesn’t give up when it gets hard. We’ll be here, with the lights on, the music up, and a team that’s ready to help you stay consistent—whatever the weather.
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