Am I a Masochist for Going Again to Exercises I Hate?

I attempted Solidcore—a high-intensity exercise class on a Pilates-inspired reformer—for the primary time in 2023. I spent all 50 minutes cursing underneath my breath, satisfied that my muscular tissues have been ripping aside. (They have been, in actual fact, not.) I hated it. And but after it ended, I instantly booked my subsequent class.

A fast scroll via Instagram and TikTok proves I’m not the one one hooked on the grueling exercise. Each December, Solidcore hosts the “Solidays Problem,” wherein members decide to taking 10 lessons over 15 days; in return, they get an unique mockneck sweatshirt together with merchandise from Salt & Stone. This yr practically one third of members opted in, Athletech Information reported, a 65% improve from 2024. Over the previous 5 years, Google searches for Solidcore have steadily risen—and are at the moment at their highest of all time. But even amidst its widespread reputation, devotees of the cult exercise nonetheless complain concerning the ache of the category. “It’s so exhausting that it’s borderline uncomfortable—however in one of the simplest ways,” notes one TikTok person.

Solidcore isn’t the one rigorous exercise gaining traction. In its 2025 report, ClassPass famous that searches for Hyrox lessons elevated 432% yr over yr. Hyrox, a world health competitors that mixes operating and resistance coaching, was beforehand referred to by one skilled as “the marathon of useful health.” (So in different phrases: Not for the faint of coronary heart.) One other indication of the rising reputation of high-intensity exercises: Barry’s, the bootcamp-style class, reportedly plans to open 20 new studios worldwide within the subsequent few years, in keeping with CoStar, an outlet overlaying industrial actual property.

Why are these seemingly masochistic exercises on the rise? And why achieve this many people—myself included—preserve going again?

Rationally, I know that analysis signifies that train doesn’t must be essentially the most strenuous as a way to profit my general well-being. However I put myself via it anyway—the selection to return to those high-intensity lessons goes past merely desirous to get match and stay a wholesome life-style. Ellin Gurvitch, LMHC, a licensed psychological well being counselor and efficiency coach, says whereas social media tendencies can encourage us to do a specific exercise or class, they’re not the one factor driving us to the studio or fitness center. “That feeling of what you’re getting after [your workout] is so highly effective,” she says. Doing exhausting issues, whether or not a two-minute plank or 20 burpees, finally results in a lift in self-satisfaction, self-respect, and self-confidence within the minutes, hours, and days following your exercise, she provides. Maybe, in some situations, ache is achieve.