<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/" -->

---
title: The Gravity Challenge Is Getting Everyone Super Soaked
description: Everyone has their own interpretation on the visual gag of the #GravityChallenge and here are the best ones.
canonical: https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/
author: Ashley Hoffman
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2019-10-17T13:31:14.000Z
article:modified_time: 2024-01-17T14:59:52.000Z
og:title: The #GravityChallenge Is Here to Rain Down on Everyone With the Latest Greatest Visual Gag
og:description: These are the best ones
og:url: https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
og:image:width: 1200
og:image:height: 675
og:image:alt: TIME
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: The #GravityChallenge Is Here to Rain Down on Everyone With the Latest Greatest Visual Gag
twitter:description: These are the best ones
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
---

# The #GravityChallenge Is Raining Down on Everyone With the Latest Greatest Visual Gag

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="9c493d3f-0813-425f-83c4-29fcbc82be05" campaign="time-nl-network-2026q3" creative="time-nl-network-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: September 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=9c493d3f-0813-425f-83c4-29fcbc82be05&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) |

Source: TIME, August 2026.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read.
*   All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=9c493d3f-0813-425f-83c4-29fcbc82be05&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).
*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=9c493d3f-0813-425f-83c4-29fcbc82be05&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=9c493d3f-0813-425f-83c4-29fcbc82be05&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What newsletters does TIME publish?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Are TIME's newsletters free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes TIME's newsletters?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->



by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Updated: Jan 17, 2024 2:59 PM UTCPublished: Oct 17, 2019 1:31 PM UTC

by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Updated: Jan 17, 2024 2:59 PM UTCPublished: Oct 17, 2019 1:31 PM UTC

The latest, greatest [viral challenge](https://time.com/5622802/walk-a-mile-meme/) to get people from all walks of life around the world “doing it for the social media platform TikTok has been dubbed the “Gravity Challenge.”

What’s really revving people up is the chance to demonstrate that the law of gravity, well, “works”—using a visual gag. Specifically, people are posting videos of themselves leaning back and spitting water into the air. The joke? Much, much more water is dumped back on them thanks to an assist from a friend overhead.

Some people get a little moisture on their head that they can towel off. Some people get soaked. Some people really, _really_ get a downpour.

All set to the tune of John Mayer’s 2006 soft rock song “Gravity,” these videos call to mind the ice bucket [challenge](https://time.com/5515262/people-eat-fingers/) from way back in 2014, but the amount of the spillage is more comical.

The full swatch of lyrics to the song go, “Gravity is working against me. And gravity wants to bring me down.” But who needs all that? The only snippet of the song that plays features Mayer singing “gravity is working.” TikTok users have taken the theme of this song literally with the “Gravity Challenge,” and boy are they committing.

It first kicked off on [TikTok](https://time.com/5561726/car-alarm-challenge/) with the hashtags “gravity” and “gravity challenge” as trendsetters took it from there, doing their thing with all kinds of interpretations.

Everyone is along for the ride with their showiest efforts, from elaborate to simple.


This contribution to the challenge didn’t hide the method behind the madness.

Shout out to the mischief makers known on TikTok as the @TheGumbotwins for setting the bar with a massive wave. As for how they pulled it off, they’ll post the behind the scenes magic soon enough.

And this one proves if you want to participate in the challenge, you need a lot of water and some willingness to deal with a wet carpet for days.


John Mayer did enter the fray for the [bottle cap challenge](https://time.com/5618930/bottle-cap-challenge/). But now’s really the time. Your move, Mayer.

See everyone take their best shots at the gravity challenge below.


```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/"},"headline":"The #GravityChallenge Is Raining Down on Everyone With the Latest Greatest Visual Gag","datePublished":"2019-10-17T13:31:14.000Z","dateModified":"2024-01-17T14:59:52.000Z","description":"These are the best ones","url":"https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/","keywords":["Newsfeed","viral","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Ashley Hoffman","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5703201/gravity-challenge/","name":"The #GravityChallenge Is Raining Down on Everyone With the Latest Greatest Visual Gag"}}]}]
```

