Am I a Masochist for Going Back to Workouts I Hate?

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Collage: Self; Source Images: Albert Shakirov/Bloomberg/Getty Images

I tried Solidcore—a high-intensity workout class on a Pilates-inspired reformer—for the first time in 2023. I spent all 50 minutes cursing under my breath, convinced that my muscles were ripping apart. (They were, in fact, not.) I hated it. And yet after it ended, I immediately booked my next class.

A quick scroll through Instagram and TikTok proves I’m not the only one addicted to the grueling workout. Every December, Solidcore hosts the “Solidays Challenge,” in which members commit to taking 10 classes over 15 days; in return, they get an exclusive mockneck sweatshirt along with products from Salt & Stone. This year nearly one third of members opted in, Athletech News reported, a 65% increase from 2024. Over the past five years, Google searches for Solidcore have steadily risen—and are currently at their highest of all time. Yet even amidst its widespread popularity, devotees of the cult workout still complain about the pain of the class. “It’s so hard that it’s borderline uncomfortable—but in the best way,” notes one TikTok user.

Solidcore isn’t the only rigorous workout gaining traction. In its 2025 report, ClassPass noted that searches for Hyrox classes increased 432% year over year. Hyrox, a global fitness competition that combines running and resistance training, was previously referred to by one expert as “the marathon of functional fitness.” (So in other words: Not for the faint of heart.) Another indication of the rising popularity of high-intensity workouts: Barry’s, the bootcamp-style class, reportedly plans to open 20 new studios worldwide in the next few years, according to CoStar, an outlet covering commercial real estate.

Why are these seemingly masochistic workouts on the rise? And why do so many of us—myself included—keep going back?

Rationally, I know that research indicates that exercise doesn’t have to be the most strenuous in order to benefit my overall well-being. But I put myself through it anyway—the choice to return to these high-intensity classes goes beyond simply wanting to get fit and live a healthy lifestyle. Ellin Gurvitch, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor and performance coach, says while social media trends can encourage us to do a particular workout or class, they’re not the only thing driving us to the studio or gym. “That feeling of what you’re getting after [your workout] is so powerful,” she says. Doing hard things, whether a two-minute plank or 20 burpees, ultimately leads to a boost in self-satisfaction, self-respect, and self-confidence in the minutes, hours, and days following your workout, she adds. Perhaps, in some instances, pain is gain.

By completing a tough workout, you’re doing much more than just checking off an item on a to-do list; you’re also learning how to respond to negative self-talk. During unpleasant exercises, your mind often gives up before your body, sports psychologist Haley Perlus, PhD, says. Negative phrases of “I can’t do this” or “I’m not strong enough” may start to enter your head while you trudge through 30 more seconds of jump squats.

But once you ultimately push through those final 30 seconds—or any challenging exercise you thought you weren’t capable of—you can experience a rush of positive feelings. Exercise triggers dopamine release, creating powerful reward loops in your brain, Gurvitch says. “That shows you the value of showing up,” she notes. “It teaches you to seek out rewards, even if they are challenging. That’s what makes you feel accomplished and helps you stay driven in a future-oriented way.” This flood of positive feelings also reinforces a desire to repeat behaviors, she adds, and may explain why I, along with other Solidcore devotees, keep showing up to the studio.

The truth is it’s nearly impossible to find pleasure in every minute of a workout—even an “easy” one. “I’ve been exercising my whole life, and I still don’t love every aspect of it,” says Perlus. “The better thing to do is ask yourself what you already love.” For example, while she says she doesn’t enjoy all components of mountain biking, she appreciates that the sport gives her the opportunity to be outside, and that’s what she focuses on. Brook Skidmore, CMPC, CSCS, a sport and exercise psychology consultant and fitness instructor, echoes this sentiment. When it comes to a difficult workout, she suggests finding a way to make it enjoyable, whether that’s doing it with a friend, queuing up a great playlist, or giving yourself a reward after finishing it.

In the two years since that first Solidcore session, I’ve taken over 100 classes. I’ve left my cozy apartment at 9 p.m. to slip into the late-night 9:15 p.m. time slot, and I’ve even contemplated waking up at 4:40 a.m. in order to make it to the 5 a.m. class. While these choices, which borderline on obsessive, would lead many to assume that this is my favorite workout, in fact, the opposite is true. I feel the exact same way that I did in 2023: I still hate every minute of it. And yet, after each class, I have a sense of accomplishment, strength, and resilience that makes the 50-minute session worth it.

Originally Appeared on Self