This is a perfect chance to practice your backstroke...under 60ft of steel fence with only a few inches of air. Muster up the mental grit and you'll do just fine. It’s as easy as breathing.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Face Your Fear
Take a deep breath and stay calm. That’s the best way to face an obstacle that incorporates claustrophobia and water.
Use The Cage
Hook your fingers onto the cage to pull yourself through the water. Keep the rest of your body still and float your way to freedom.
“It was intimidating but when I made it out the other end I truly felt like I’d overcome a fear.”
The Inside Word
Deep dive into the details of Cage Crawl.
How to Conquer
Ease yourself into the water and beneath the cage. Submerge your body in the water and grip onto the fencing. Keeping the rest of your body still and breathing steadily use your hands to pull yourself along. Having your teammates on hand with words of encouragement and directions will see you through to the end.
Obstacle Training Tips
Cage Crawl is a an obstacle that tests your mental fortitude more than your physical strength. But good grip strength will help you hang on and get you to the end faster, in the gym pull ups are a good exercise to try but scrunching up a ball of newspaper at home will do too.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: Is it really that scary?
A: We all have different fears. However being trapped in water is going to get even the calmest Mudder’s heart rate going.
One of our signature obstacles, Everest first appeared on Tough Mudder courses way back in 2010. To reach the summit you require unyielding determination and a reliance on those that have gone before you. You must commence your ascent on your own, however, the only way up and over the top is to grab the hand of another Mudder and have them haul you to the summit.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
CURVED SURFACE
Just like a half-pipe only bigger.
HELPING HANDS
Many Mudders waiting to haul you up to the top.
CURVED LIP
This means the only thing to grab a hold of is another Mudder.
THE RUN UP
Make sure you hit top speed at the right time.
“Just look for those helping hands. Your team will get you over the summit.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Everest.
How To Conquer
Just like the real thing, to reach the summit of Everest you require planning, deep breaths and the help of a team. Take a running start and keep your feet moving as you head up the vertical section – run up it, not at it. Lock your eyes onto an outstretched hand and leap towards it. Finally, allow the team of Mudders to haul you up and over.
Obstacle Training Tips
While it might seem like strength is a key part of hauling yourself up and over the summit, you will have help. The key is to make sure you get the running start right. Working on both your running and lower-body explosiveness will give you the best chance of hitting the incline just right. Keep your eyes on the prize and those legs pumping.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How will I know when to jump for the hands?
A: When you think you have run far enough. Take a couple more steps.
A HISTORY: EVEREST
Originally a bit shorter than what you see on course today, Everest has stood the test of time. First introduced to the course in 2010, while it has seen changes to structure and materials, the design, premise and enjoyment of this obstacle have stayed the same since the beginning. A true legend.
Shimmy your way up inside a pipe, as water cascades down. As long as you enjoy tight, dark spaces and water you'll be good.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
CASCADING WATER
Hold your breath and keep calm, with water pummelling on you from above there’s no time to panic.
GREAT GRIP STRENGTH
The inside of the pipe will have small hand holds to help you get a grip and shimmy your way to the top.
“It’s easy to feel claustrophobic in there but I just kept breathing and kept climbing.”
The Inside Word
Deep dive into the details of Augustus Gloop.
How to Conquer
As with any water obstacle start by taking a deep breath – you’re going to need it. Enter the water and duck into the tube. Using the grips and gaps on the inside of the tube use your finger and toetips to climb up. Keep moving until you reach the top.
Obstacle Training Tips
You’ll work your full body in this obstacle, so that’s what you’ll need to train in the gym. It’s your grip strength that’s really going to get you through though so don’t forget to train your hands and fingers.
Obstacle FAQs
Question: Would this obstacle be better if you filled it with chocolate?
Answer: Yes, probably.
Get ready to toss your hats in the ring, because the Gauntlet is about to hit you with three obstacles in a row. Starting with an unassuming, yet surprisingly challenging, balance beam section, things escalate quickly onto two separate upper-body traverses. Channel your inner Tarzan to swing across rope-mounted handholds in section #2, before finishing up with an overhead shimmy across a dastardly mix of climbing holds, fingerboards, and whatever else we decide to throw up for you to cling onto.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Watch Your Step
These suckers are wobbly, so move quickly, calmly, and with good intentions.
Feel the Rhythm
A good grip will only get you so far here. So hold tight, get some momentum, and fly.
Stay Focused
This is where things get tricky and technical. Grip tight and keep your eye on the prize.
“Three obstacles in one? Now THAT’S value.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Gauntlet.
How To Conquer
Take this one section at a time. Focus on your footwork across the balance beams first. Once you reach the ring section, keep your arms slightly bent at the elbow and let the swinging motion do most of the work. Save that grip strength for the final section of handholds. where you’ll want to grip tight and move fast.
A HISTORY: GAUNTLET
Cracked up in 2019, the Gauntlet sought to combine three classic Tough Mudder features into a challenge that was more than the sum of its parts. Modified version of Twinkle Toes, Hangin’ Tough, and Just the Tip were strung together for the toughest trio this side of the Three Stooges.
A. Giant. Ice. Bath. There's really not much else to say. Be ready to be fully submerged not once, but twice - in ice. This obstacle is all about testing your mental grit. There's no training that can prepare you for this. Still not clear? Re-read the name.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
SLIDE OR DUNK
Depending on the course designers, you will either dunk yourself or be dunked to enter.
TONNES OF ICE
Over 20 tons of ice will keep you nice and cool.
THE SECOND BAFFLE
Once you emerge, you must again submerge. Nasty.
THE EXIT
After what feels like years you will wade your way up and out of the ice chest.
“It’s like the worst brain freeze you’ve ever had, but for your body.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Arctic Enema.
How To Conquer
Focus and a clear mind. Making it through Arctic Enema is all about understanding that your body will feel shocked from the cold and focusing on your movements through the icy bath. There is no need to panic, once you re-surface from the first dunk, take a breath, plunge under the second baffle and keep your feet moving. You will be out the other side in no time.
Obstacle Training Tips
This obstacle is entirely mental, so it won’t matter how many chin-ups you can do or how far you can run. Everyone will react differently to the sub-zero temperature. While you cannot prepare physically, you can train your mind to stay clear and focused when under duress. Other than that, maybe throw a couple of ice-cubes in your next bath.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How cold is it really?
A: Cold. Very, very cold.
A HISTORY: ARCTIC ENEMA
What started as a variety of ice-based obstacles slowly morphed into Arctic Enema (Hot Shots anyone?). At first, you just had to climb in and wade through the ice. However, as the year’s progressed those crazies in the obstacle innovation lab started to add more ways to ensure that you had to submerge your whole body as many times as possible. Now it really lives up to its name.
To defeat this mythical monster, the Block Ness Monster, you will need an army. No solo soldiers will be able to negotiate the 9-metre long cuboid that sits semi-submerged in chest-deep water. Together with your teammates and fellow Mudders, you will need to rock, roll, push and haul yourselves over the rotating blocks.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
HUGE CUBOIDS
At over 9 metres long, it is these two huge wooden blocks that you will have to clamber over.
CHEST HIGH WATER
You’re going to get wet. Wading through the murky depths is not an option.
TEAMWORK IS ESSENTIAL
Giving each other a boost up and over while timing synchronized pushes and pulls is the only way through.
UP AND OVER
You can’t go under it, you can’t go round it. The only way is up.
“The most fun you can have out on course. The teamwork was incredible.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of the Block Ness Monster.
How To Conquer
The Block Ness Monster is all about teamwork. It requires strong communication between friends and strangers alike. A whole lot of people need to push one side up, while a lot more people push the other side down. Once it is moving a few people at a time can shimmy over the top as it rotates.
Obstacle Training Tips
Taking on the Block Ness Monster is more about communication and teamwork. Although, you will need to be able to pull yourself up and over the block. Having good upper body strength is certainly an advantage. While you will be required to push the block up and pull it down, the more people helping makes it easier. So just focus on being able to pull-up your body weight and you will be fine.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: Do you have to get wet?
A: Umm. Yes. Have you seen the pictures?
Q: Can I do it alone?
A: You can, however, you will never be on this obstacle alone.
Q: How heavy are the cuboids?
A: Technically speaking. Very heavy. The water and your fellow Mudders will help you.
A HISTORY: BLOCK NESS MONSTER
The Block Ness Monster is one of the best examples of crazy and unexpected our obstacle innovation process can be. Discovery and innovation continue to evolve throughout the whole innovation journey. Originally designed by one of Tough Mudder’s interns, the blocks were intended to have people run across it. During testing, as people kept falling in, they started to push and pull the blocks. The rest is history.
You'll be wishing you had four extra limbs when you face this web of tightropes suspended over a water pit. Grab on wherever you can and hold on tight as the movement of your fellow Mudders causes you to shake, rattle and roll.
The tallest obstacle to ever be erected on an obstacle course, Mudderhorn will take your breath away. Standing at almost 3 stories tall, our very own great ascent is sure to test your fear of heights. Clamber up one side towards the sun, admire the view and then try to not look down as you scramble down the other side.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
LOOK UP, NOT DOWN
As you approach, take it all in. Woah, it’s big.
GET A BOOST
Get your teammates to give you an initial leg-up.
TOUGH AT THE TOP
Stay calm, swing your leg over and start the descent.
TAKE IT DOWN
That’s right. You will feel it.
“It’s so high and you can see right through it. Unlike any other obstacle I have ever tried.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Mudderhorn.
How To Conquer
Stay calm and climb up like you’re on a really big ladder. Keep your eyes forward, your weight evenly distributed and a good steady pace on your ascent. When you reach the top, keep the same rhythm but now in reverse.
Obstacle Training Tips
While there is no real training for a fear of heights, there are few you can do to help you get over Mudderhorn. Key areas to help you out are leg strength and grip strength. You want to be comfortable holding your body weight and are well balanced at all times on the cargo net.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: What if you get stuck up there?
A: What goes up must come down. Eventually…
A HISTORY: MUDDERHORN
The Giant-A-Frame structure, first saw use at WTM 2016, creating an epic backdrop to the start line. Well received as it was, Mudderhorn’s size and complexity meant it wasn’t considered for wider use during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. 2019 saw a re-focus on the structure and Mudderhorn was finally scaled for Tough Mudder Classic and rolled out across the season to much delight among participants.
