75 Soft Challenge: The Flexible Alternative to 75 Hard

75 Soft Challenge: The Flexible Alternative to 75 Hard

FORGE - Habits & Fitness

FORGE - Habits & Fitness Team

January 9, 20266 min read

The 75 Hard challenge has taken the fitness world by storm. But let's be honest—it's intense. Two 45-minute workouts daily, strict diet adherence, no alcohol, a gallon of water, and zero flexibility for 75 consecutive days? That's not sustainable for everyone.

Enter 75 Soft: the kinder, gentler cousin of 75 Hard that still delivers real results without burning you out.

What is the 75 Soft Challenge?

The 75 Soft challenge is a modified version of Andy Frisella's famous 75 Hard program. It maintains the core habit-building philosophy while introducing flexibility that makes it achievable for more people.

Created as a response to the rigidity of 75 Hard, 75 Soft acknowledges that life happens—and that building lasting habits doesn't require perfection.

75 Soft Rules: The Complete List

Here are the official 75 Soft rules:

1. Exercise for 45 Minutes Daily

The Rule: Complete one 45-minute workout per day. One day per week should be dedicated to active recovery (walking, yoga, stretching).

Why It Works: Unlike 75 Hard's two daily workouts, this is sustainable long-term. The active recovery day prevents burnout and allows your body to heal.

2. Follow a Diet and Drink 3 Liters of Water

The Rule: Eat well and drink at least 3 liters (about 100 oz) of water daily. You can have alcohol on social occasions.

Why It Works: Instead of strict "no alcohol ever" rules, 75 Soft allows for reasonable social drinking. The water goal is still substantial but more achievable than a full gallon.

3. Read 10 Pages of Any Book

The Rule: Read 10 pages of any book daily. It doesn't have to be non-fiction or self-improvement.

Why It Works: The original 75 Hard requires non-fiction only. 75 Soft lets you enjoy fiction, which makes the habit more enjoyable and sustainable.

4. No Cheat Meals (With One Exception)

The Rule: Stick to your chosen diet, but you can enjoy alcohol in social situations without penalty.

Why It Works: This allows for real-life flexibility while still building discipline around daily food choices.

75 Hard vs 75 Soft: Key Differences

| Aspect | 75 Hard | 75 Soft | |--------|---------|---------| | Daily Workouts | Two 45-minute sessions | One 45-minute session | | Outdoor Workout | Required | Not required | | Water Intake | 1 gallon (128 oz) | 3 liters (100 oz) | | Alcohol | Zero tolerance | Allowed socially | | Reading | Non-fiction only | Any book | | Progress Photo | Daily required | Optional | | Failure | Start over from Day 1 | Continue next day |

Who Should Do 75 Soft?

The 75 Soft challenge is perfect for:

  • Beginners who want to build consistent habits without extreme measures
  • Busy professionals who can't commit to two workouts daily
  • Parents with limited time for self-care
  • Anyone recovering from injury or burnout
  • Social butterflies who don't want to give up occasional drinks
  • People who failed 75 Hard and want a more sustainable option

How to Succeed at 75 Soft

1. Choose Your Diet Wisely

Don't pick something extreme. Choose an eating approach you can maintain:

  • Balanced macros (protein, carbs, fats)
  • Whole foods focus
  • Calorie tracking if weight loss is the goal
  • Flexible dieting with portion control

2. Schedule Your Workouts

Treat your 45-minute workout like an appointment. Morning workouts work best for most people because:

  • Fewer excuses pile up throughout the day
  • Your willpower is strongest in the morning
  • It energizes you for the day ahead

3. Make Reading Easy

Keep a book by your bed. Reading 10 pages before sleep is often the easiest time to complete this habit. Choose books you actually want to read—this isn't punishment.

4. Track Your Progress

Use an app like FORGE - Habits & Fitness to track your daily tasks. Checking off completed items provides psychological satisfaction that reinforces the habit loop.

5. Find Accountability

Share your challenge with friends or join an online community. Research shows that accountability partners increase success rates by 65%.

Sample 75 Soft Week Schedule

Monday: 45-min strength training + 10 pages reading Tuesday: 45-min cardio + 10 pages reading Wednesday: 45-min HIIT + 10 pages reading Thursday: 45-min strength training + 10 pages reading Friday: 45-min yoga + 10 pages reading Saturday: 45-min active recovery (walk) + 10 pages reading Sunday: 45-min workout of choice + 10 pages reading

Common 75 Soft Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Starting Too Hard

Don't pick an extreme diet or intense workout program. The goal is consistency, not intensity. Start with habits you can maintain.

Mistake 2: Skipping Active Recovery

That recovery day exists for a reason. Take it seriously. Your body and mind need the break.

Mistake 3: Not Tracking

What gets measured gets managed. Use a journal or app to track daily completion. This simple act significantly increases success rates.

Mistake 4: Going It Alone

Find a community, workout partner, or accountability buddy. The social element transforms challenges from chores into shared experiences.

What Happens After 75 Soft?

After completing 75 Soft, you have several options:

  1. Maintain the habits — Keep the daily practices going
  2. Try 75 Hard — Now that you've built the foundation
  3. Create a custom challenge — Design your own program
  4. Take a break — Rest and reflect on what you've learned

Many people find that 75 Soft habits naturally continue because they were sustainable from the start.

Track Your 75 Soft Challenge with FORGE - Habits & Fitness

The FORGE - Habits & Fitness app makes tracking 75 Soft simple:

  • Daily task checklist for workouts, reading, and water
  • Progress tracking to visualize your journey
  • Streak counter to maintain motivation
  • Community features to connect with others on the same path
  • Custom challenge builder if you want to modify the rules

Whether you're doing 75 Soft, 75 Hard, or creating your own challenge, FORGE - Habits & Fitness provides the structure and accountability you need to succeed.

The Bottom Line

75 Soft isn't "75 Easy." It still requires daily commitment, discipline, and effort. But it acknowledges that sustainable change doesn't require extreme measures.

If 75 Hard feels overwhelming, 75 Soft offers a path to building the same core habits—exercise, nutrition, hydration, and learning—without the all-or-nothing mentality that causes many people to fail.

Start with 75 Soft. Build the habits. Then decide if you want to level up.

Ready to start your 75 Soft journey? Download FORGE - Habits & Fitness and track your progress from Day 1.

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