The Hot Girl Walk

Written by Emma Goshin, Culture Staff Writer | Photographed by Jami Balicki, Staff Photographer and Emma Spaciel, Contributing Photographer | Makeup by Nicole Escobia, Staff Makeup Artist | Styled by Ella Cunz, Fashion Staff Member Videography by Elizabeth Kallies, Staff Videographer | Modeled by Allison Milano Johnson and Jada Ajami

Flashback warning: whipped coffee, banana bread and dancing to “Renegade” are a few TikTok trends reminiscent of the March 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns. While the pandemic resulted in an overall explosion of social media use, TikTok in particular experienced a massive user growth rate with a 75% uptick in users in 2020.1 One of the most popular trends that came out of the surge in media use was the “Hot Girl Walk,” a viral trend encouraging users to go on a daily walk for physical and mental well-being.

Mia Lind, self-proclaimed CEO of Hot Girl Walk, introduced the fad in a TikTok video that now has 2.9 million views.2 Lind recommends listening to music while on your walk and even compiled her own Hot Girl Walk playlist filled with empowering anthems by artists like Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion and Fergie.3 She attests that her mental and physical health has improved since implementing the activity as part of her daily routine.

Lind explains: “It’s what you do on the ‘hot girl walk’ that matters.”4 On your own walk, the goal is to focus only on self-growth and empowerment: things you are grateful for, your goals, dreams and, like its namesake, how hot you are. After you finish walking, take the positive energy you have generated and apply it to the rest of your day.

In one of Lind’s videos on the Hot Girl Walk, she tells users to tag her in their videos and spread the #hotgirlwalk. That hashtag now has 99.6 million views, proving the trend’s popularity has spread even beyond the initial months of the pandemic.

¹ John Koetsier, “Massive TikTok Growth: Up 75% This Year, Now 33x More Users Than Nearest Direct Competitor.” Forbes, Sept. 14, 2020. ² Mia Lind, @exactlyliketheothergirls, “#greenscreen literally my best glow up advice in 45s follow if you wanna hear my whole journey #advice,” TikTok, accessed April 2022. ³ Mia Lind, “Soundtrack your 2022 resolutions with Mia Lind,” Spotify, accessed April 2022. ⁴ Mia Lind, @exactlyliketheothergirls, “#greenscreen literally my best glow up advice in 45s follow if you wanna hear my whole journey #advice,” TikTok, accessed April 2022. One product, the Bala Bangles, has been named a Hot Girl Walk essential by its enthusiasts.5 The wrist and ankle weights are a modern version of the types of weights many women would wear in the ‘80s during workouts. The sleek bands come in 1 or 2-pound options and add resistance to your workout.6 Tons of TikTok users have added Bala Bangles to their Hot Girl Walk vlogs or “get ready with me” videos.

The Hot Girl Walk was only one of many wellness trends to arise in 2020, as the concept of maintaining or improving health during a time of isolation became a theme. Posting about Hot Girl Walks became a fun way to take part in the online discussion at the time, but research indicates the trend has serious positive health benefits, too.

It is widely known that exercise is great not only for physical health, but mental health as well.7 A study that asked two groups to write either what they were grateful for or irritated about found that those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic, exercised more and visited physicians fewer times than the other group. Gratitude helps people feel positive emotions, enjoy good experiences and deal with misfortune.8 Additionally, setting aside time to be alone can lead to great social energy, creativity and personal exploration.9

The beauty of the Hot Girl Walk lies in its accessibility. You don’t have to be a girl to go on this trek, nor do you do not have to be a young TikTok user who keeps up with all the trends. Walking is free, low impact and can be done regardless of fitness level. Lind challenges walkers to take control of their thoughts and build their confidence to make a positive lifestyle change. The Hot Girl Walk is empowering. Focusing your thoughts on positive aspects of your life is a superpower you can obtain—one step at a time. ■

⁵ Rory Satran, “Bala Bangles: Essential Weights for a ‘Hot Girl Walk,’” The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 4, 2021. ⁶ Bala Bangles. ⁷ Larissa Ham, “Hot Girl Walk: Why Women Need to Start This Empowering Exercise Trend,” The House of Wellness, Jan. 26, 2022. ⁸ “Giving thanks can make you happier.” Harvard Health Publishing, August 14, 2021. ⁹ Kendra Cherry, “How Important Is Alone Time for Mental Health?” verywellmind, May 27, 2021.