People are beginning ‘life changing’ fitness challenge for the new year

'New year, new me' has arrived, and your favourite machine in the gym is going to be occupied until February.

With that said, the idea of going from no exercise at all to working out like a nutter on 1 January is something we've all probably done at some point.

As is the case with everything though, consistency is key, and being able to complete an actual fitness challenge could mean sticking to it long-term.

The 75 hard challenge, however, is seriously tough and requires a lot more discipline than a more conventional workout routine.

As reported by Vogue, the trend has been around for around five years and consists of five key rules over the course of 75 days.

Five rules of 75 Hard challenge

The 75 hard challenge isn't for most people (Getty Stock Images)

1) No alcohol or cheat meals for 75 days

2) Two indoor and outdoor workouts a day lasting 45 minutes

3) A gallon of water a day

4) Read 10 pages of a self-improvement book a day

5) Take a progress pic every day

Experts have warned against the 75 hard challenge (Getty Stock Images)

You're probably thinking: "Why the f**k would anyone put themselves through that?"

Well, fans of the programme say it can develop the 'traits and habits necessary to succeed in life'.

Taking to Reddit, one supporter claimed: "This is by far the best I’ve ever felt in my life — the confidence and self love this journey will bring you is life changing.

"Being able to look yourself in the mirror as someone who is true to their own word is damn near euphoric.

"My discipline is my superpower; I feel like I can do anything I put my mind to."

Eleanor Thrupp, a nutritional therapist at Innermost, also said to Women's Health that ‘following a good nutrition and exercise programme for 75 days (albeit not as intense as this one) will certainly improve your fitness and weight management’.

Some claim the 75 hard challenge has worked for them (Getty Stock Images)

Celeb PT Jenny Francis-Townson added: "You choose the diet that suits you, you choose the exercises and you choose the books to read. This makes it more personal to you, which is a good thing."

However, fellow celebrity trainer Luke Worthington explained why this particular challenge has a high failure rate.

“A challenge like this doesn’t account for people’s current levels of activity, health background, history with exercise, emotional relationship with food, body type, age, or even access to equipment/coaching,” he pointed out.

“Applying such a ‘catch all’ criteria to a hardcore challenge will mean the failure rate is high, plus the chances of injury for those who may not be used to such an intensive regime are significant.”