Choose your challenge
Winter Arc vs 75 Hard
Both challenges promise a stronger, more disciplined you, but they work in very different ways. One is a strict program; the other is a flexible season you design yourself.
What is 75 Hard?
75 Hard is a 75-day challenge created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella. Its rules are fixed: every day you follow a diet of your choice with no cheat meals or alcohol, do two 45-minute workouts (one of them outdoors), drink a gallon of water, read ten pages of a non-fiction book, and take a progress photo. Miss any task and you restart from day one.
What is Winter Arc?
Winter Arc is a self-improvement season, usually from October 1 to December 31, in which you choose your own goals across fitness, learning, habits, and mental health. There is no official rulebook and no restart rule. Read more in What is Winter Arc?
Side-by-side comparison
| Winter Arc | 75 Hard | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Usually about 90 days (Oct–Dec) | 75 days |
| Rules | You choose your own goals | Five fixed daily tasks |
| Missed day | Continue the next day | Restart from day one |
| Focus | Any area: fitness, skills, study, habits | Mostly fitness, diet, and mental toughness |
| Time per day | Flexible | Often 2+ hours |
| Best for | Steady progress alongside work or study | People who want a strict, all-in test |
Which one should you choose?
Choose 75 Hard if you want a clear, non-negotiable structure, your schedule can absorb two workouts a day, and the restart rule motivates rather than discourages you.
Choose Winter Arc if you want to grow in several areas, need a plan that survives busy weeks, or have struggled with all-or-nothing challenges before. Its flexibility makes it easier to sustain alongside a job, studies, or family life.
You can also combine them: use 75 Hard-style daily tasks as some of your Winter Arc goals, but keep the freedom to adapt them. If you have health conditions, talk to a doctor before starting any intense diet or training program.
Starting your Winter Arc
Pick your dates, write down your why, and choose three to five goals. Our Winter Arc challenge plan breaks the season into three phases with a daily checklist, and our 40 Winter Arc ideas can help you choose goals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Winter Arc easier than 75 Hard?
It is more flexible rather than easier. You set the difficulty, and there is no restart rule, which makes it easier to sustain over a longer season.
Can I do 75 Hard during my Winter Arc?
Yes. Some people use 75 Hard as the fitness part of their Winter Arc. Starting in mid-October finishes it around the end of December.
Which is better for building habits?
Habits last when they fit your life. Many people find Winter Arc’s flexible, review-based approach easier to continue after the season ends.