Fitness influencer Ashton Hall's ice water and banana peel 'morning routine' goes viral

Ashton Hall’s early morning routine goes viral for repeated ice water face dunks and banana peel face rubs.

Fitness influencer Ashton Hall has ignited a wave of online fascination and confusion after a video showcasing his early morning routine went viral, amassing over 40 million views on YouTube.

Hall’s highly structured schedule, which begins at 3:50 AM, includes a series of workouts and meditative practices—but it's his repeated ice water face dunks that have become the internet’s newest obsession.The video, titled The morning routine that changed my life 3:50am to 9:30am, outlines Hall’s six-hour regimen featuring gym sessions, swimming, cold exposure, and mindfulness.

While the disciplined schedule caught some attention, viewers were more fixated on Hall submerging his face in a bowl of ice-cold sparkling water—twice. The first occurs before his workout; the second, oddly, after his shower and skincare routine, moments before starting work. Mid-routine, Hall also proceeds to eat a banana and then rub its peel on his face.

The peculiar practice triggered a flood of reactions across social media. "Men used to go to war and now they're rubbing banana peels on their faces” one viewer posted. Another joked, “The second bowl of ice water being HANDED TO HIM ten minutes after he washes his face is completely frying me.” Others questioned the necessity and purpose of such extreme habits, especially given the ritual's timing.

men used to go to war and now they’re rubbing banana peels on their faces https://t.co/Em8hwCwjGQ

— Sarah 🏆LADODGERS (@SaritaSueG) March 22, 2025

the water and banana peel guy is definitely involved in some horrible crypto scam that much is clear

— Vincent Martella (@vince_martella) March 23, 2025

the masculine urge to wake up at 4am and rub a banana peel on my face

— Chris (@citehchris) March 22, 2025

Forgot to dunk my face in ice water at 4:30am now my girl is leaving me

— tre¥ (@wholelottatr3y) March 22, 2025

Despite the amusement, experts suggest there could be merit to the routine. According to Healthline, cold water facial exposure may reduce inflammation, increase alertness, and improve skin tone—potentially explaining its inclusion in Hall’s routine.

Hall, who recently celebrated reaching one billion YouTube views in a month and eight million Instagram followers, continues to post variations of his morning rituals, each including the now-signature ice dunk. The unusual habit has sparked wider conversations around influencer wellness culture and the growing popularity of extreme routines in the digital age.