In March 2025, a video set social media ablaze. Ashton Hall, an American fitness influencer, unveils his morning routine. This clip, viewed by hundreds of millions of users, blends extreme discipline with absurd moments. It sparks fascination, parodies, and debates. Why does this “morning routine” captivate so much? This article explores the trend, its origins, and its impact. Let’s dive into this viral phenomenon that’s redefining the codes of online wellness.
The Rise of Ashton Hall’s Morning Routine
A Video Goes Viral
Ashton Hall has been sharing his morning routine on Instagram and TikTok since February 2025. However, it was a repost on X on March 20 that triggered the explosion. The video quickly racked up 700 million views. It shows a muscular man waking up at 3:50 a.m.. He removes tape from his mouth, drinks Saratoga water, and plunges his face into a bowl of ice. Each meticulously timed step either intrigues or amuses. This staging captivates internet users.
Key Steps of the Routine
The routine lasts five and a half hours. It begins with a wake-up at 3:52 a.m.. Ashton does push-ups at 4:04 a.m.. At 5:49 a.m., he dips his face in ice water. He journals, swims in a pool, and uses a banana peel as a face treatment. A faceless woman brings him breakfast at 9:30 a.m.. Every moment seems calculated to grab attention. The absurd timestamps, like a four-minute plunge, fuel reactions.
Why Such a Craze?
Morning routines fascinate on social media. The hashtag #MorningRoutine has amassed 47 billion views on TikTok. Ashton Hall’s stands out for its exaggeration. It blends fitness discipline with absurd elements, like the mouth tape or the banana. This contrast draws people in. Internet users see it as satire or a model to follow. The video becomes an instant meme.
Who is Ashton Hall?
A Fitness Influencer’s Journey
Ashton Hall was born on October 24, 1995, in the United States. A former football player at Alcorn State, he transitioned into fitness. He went from being a training director at a gym to an online coach. Today, he boasts 8.7 million followers on Instagram. His popularity surged during the pandemic. He offers workouts, motivational tips, and structured routines.
A Calculated Content Strategy
Hall masters the art of virality. He studies trends and adapts them. In one video, he says: “Look at what works, do it better.” His morning routine follows this logic. It targets a male audience with hustle culture codes. He also sells training programs for fitness coaches. This buzz strengthens his personal brand.
A Controversial Figure
Hall divides opinions. Some praise his discipline. Others criticize his flashy style. His videos, like “10 Things Real Men Don’t Do,” flirt with masculinist rhetoric. His luxurious routine, featuring mineral water and an invisible assistant, irritates. It reflects a lifestyle unattainable for many.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
A Wave of Parodies
The video sparks hilarious parodies. French influencer Tibo InShape films himself doing absurd tasks. Spotify and McDonald’s join the trend. Internet users mock the ice bowls and Saratoga bottles. Hall’s only line, “You’ve got to hit at least 10,000,” becomes a meme. This wave highlights the absurd power of viral content.
A Boost for Saratoga
The Saratoga brand rides the buzz. Hall integrates it into every step. Sales soar. Internet users poke fun at the blatant product placement. Some call the routine “a six-hour ad.” This partnership shows how influencers monetize their audience.
A Reflection on Masculinity
Observers like CNN analyze the phenomenon. The routine fits into a wave of masculine content. It promotes extreme discipline and a virile aesthetic. Some see it as a caricature. Others, a toxic pressure on men. Hall rides this wave but raises deeper questions.
Reactions from Internet Users and Media
Fascination and Mockery
On X, reactions pour in. “He wakes up at 4 a.m. to do nothing,” jokes one user. “Four minutes underwater? A record!” quips another. Media outlets, from Vulture to BFMTV, dissect the video. They note its deliberate absurdity. Yet many admire its marketing boldness.
Skeptical Experts
Experts question the benefits. The mouth tape, meant to reduce snoring, lacks scientific evidence. It might even hinder breathing. The banana peel as a skincare trick? A TikTok fad with no basis. The routine impresses, but its real value divides opinions.
Hall Responds to the Buzz
Ashton Hall responds with a new video. He adds winks to the parodies. He poses with fans and smashes a Saratoga bottle. His caption: “Easy paths don’t pay off.” He embraces the virality. This PR move bolsters his image.
A Broader Trend: Morning Routines in 2025
Why Are Routines So Obsessive?
Morning routines dominate social media. They promise productivity and well-being. Stars like Mark Wahlberg (wake-up at 3:30 a.m.) or Jennifer Aniston (lemon water at 4:30 a.m.) inspire. Hall’s takes it to the extreme. It reflects a quest for control in a chaotic world.
A Blend of Wellness and Performance
Studies link structured mornings to less stress. Morning exercise boosts energy. But Hall goes further. He sells a life of luxury and success. His routine becomes a symbol. It draws those dreaming of transformation.
The Model’s Limits
Not everyone can wake up at 3:50 a.m.. Parents, precarious workers, or night owls laugh at the idea. LBC critiques: “It’s narcissism disguised as wisdom.” Hall’s routine entertains but feels out of touch for many.
What to Take Away from This Phenomenon?
A Marketing Genius
Ashton Hall turns a routine into media gold. He captures attention and sells his image. His video, absurd or not, achieves its goal. It gets people talking. It draws clients to his training programs. It’s a lesson in digital strategy.
An Invitation to Reflect
This buzz raises questions. What do we seek in these routines? Inspiration or distraction? Hall embodies an ideal for some. For others, he caricatures a world obsessed with performance. His video entertains but prompts us to question our priorities.
What’s Next?
The trend won’t stop here. Other influencers will mimic Hall. Morning routines will evolve. Perhaps we’ll see more accessible versions. Or even more absurd ones. One thing is certain: Ashton Hall has left his mark on 2025.
Conclusion: The Morning Routine as a Mirror of Our Time
Ashton Hall’s morning routine is more than just a video. It’s a cultural phenomenon. It blends fitness, marketing, and satire. It captivates with its absurdity and precision. It sells a dream but polarizes. In 1500 words, we’ve explored its rise, impact, and limits. Whether you admire or mock it, it reflects our fascination with wellness and performance. So, tomorrow, will you wake up at 3:50 a.m.? Or stay under the covers, far from the ice bowls? The choice is yours.
