If you’re a girl on TikTok, you’ve probably been initiated into Hot Girl culture. As Hot Girl Summer comes to an end, University of Miami students head back to school and revamp their daily routine. To maintain the Hot Girl persona throughout fall, this article will help you master the Hot Girl Walk, an exercise regime that includes matching sets, positive affirmations and a killer podcast.
Walk into the Herbert Wellness Center at any given time and you’ll likely conclude that the University of Miami is a fitness-obsessed school. Overrun with gym bros and stairmaster soldiers, it’s not the most welcoming environment for students looking for a low-pressure, low-impact workout. Enter the Hot Girl Walk: a viral TikTok craze that has revamped the very concept of cardio.
On TikTok, the hashtag #hotgirlwalk currently holds over 451.7 million views. The videos under the hashtag show thousands of women documenting their daily walks down to every detail: their outfit of the day, their normal route, and what they ate beforehand. But what exactly are these TikTokers up to, and what separates a Hot Girl Walk from just a plain old walk?
Elle Australia published that the Hot Girl Walk was invented by @exactlyliketheothergirls, a TikToker named Mia Lind. According to Elle, Mia’s essential components of a Hot Girl Walk include walking four miles, listening to an inspirational podcast or playlist, and reflecting on what you’re grateful for, your goals and, of course, your hotness.
But Hot Girl Walks don’t have to be one-size-fits-all. Here in Miami, data analyst and former resident Gabriela Ayala took the TikTok concept and brought it to life. By extending a virtual invitation via TikTok post to any woman in Miami, she asked if anyone wanted to join her on her weekly walks.
“The first time 20 girls showed up,” said Ayala. “The second time like 50, then like 80, then it’s been 100 plus ever since.” The 30-year-old started the group as a wholesome way to make friends in a city
that is best known for less than wholesome things.
“It was really nice to see that other people felt the same way,” said Ayala. “That they wanted to make girlfriends.”
@Hotgirlwalkmiami now has over 2,000 followers on Instagram and hosts a weekly Hot Girl Walk every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at various locations around the city. Ayala recently moved to Manchester, UK, where she launched @hotgirlwalkmanchester to keep “Hot Girl Walking” in her new routine.
Ayala said that besides making new friends, what makes a Hot Girl Walk special is using that time to clear your mind and to reflect on yourself. Ayala added that she uses them to contemplate how she can be the best version of herself.
Senior Allie Rosen enjoys social time on her Hot Girl Walks too, but usually via phone call. “That’s usually when I catch up with people,” said Rosen.
The 20-year-old walks 10 thousand steps each day, but “any distance counts as a Hot Girl Walk,” said Rosen. For her, Hot Girl Walking is “a time to focus on [herself],” and enjoy some sunshine.”
Ultimately, Hot Girl Walks are not about how far you walk or how long you walk for, but about how good you feel in the moment. They’re a convenient, cheap, and customizable way to work out while practicing
mindfulness or to enjoy some downtime.
clothes. My advice is to obviously wear something you feel good in. It makes the walk better,” said Rosen.
LISTENING RECOMMENDATIONS
- H3 PODCAST: Pop-culture comedy podcast hosted on YouTube
- EXACTLYLIKETHEOTHERGIRLS PLAYLIST: Music playlist on Spotify that consists solely of songs that will make you feel like your hottest self
- STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW PODCAST: Educational podcast that details random things you would like to know about
- GIRLS GOTTA EAT: Top-rated comedy podcast hosted by two women that talk about everything relating to sex, relationships and dating
words_cat mcgrath. design & illustrations_isa márquez
This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2022 print issue.