Event Type: Infinity
Well Swung
Jump high, hang low, and let it all swing out on Tough Mudder's take on the trapeze.
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“There is nothing quite like the freedom of a good swing.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Well Swung.
How To Conquer
Keep your eyes focused on where you need your hands to be. Jump out and up with purpose. Maintain your momentum, this is key, you don’t want to be flailing around in the breeze. Release and feel the freedom.
Obstacle Training Tips
Apart from putting in some mental reps to help in conquering your fear of heights the key to success at Well Swung is grip strength. You want to be able to hold yourself suspended with your arms above your head and allow for the transfer of momentum when you catch the bar mid-jump.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How do you complete this obstacle?
A: The glorious ring of a Cow Bell.
A: The glorious ring of a Cow Bell.
A HISTORY: WELL SWUNG
Well Swung is a brand new obstacle in 2021. While it has close ties to the fan favourite King Of The Swingers it certainly is its own beast. A new take on the trapeze-like swing it was first dreamt up in 2019 as a more approachable way to get that swinging feeling. After testing in the desert and a few tweaks it is ready to hit the course this year. You ready?
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Shawshanked
Crawl with grace through these inverted tubes, because there will be no dignity when you flop out the other end.
Kiss of Mud
We've given you 14" of space between the ground and the barbed wire. The choice between mud and blood is yours.
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“There is no getting out from this obstacle clean!”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Arctic Enema.
How To Conquer
Pause to reflect on your first move and channel your inner commando crawl. Get on your hands and knees and aim to get as low into the mud as possible. Perform a forward motion army style crawl keeping your head low, to avoid the barbed wire. Surfaced will be uneven below the wet, muddy surface – so expect the unexpected.
A HISTORY: KISS OF MUD
Anywhere we can get away with throwing barbed wire into the mix, that obstacle becomes an instant classic. Kiss of Mud is known for not holding back and leaving Mudders crawling out from the obstacle covered head to toe in the muck.
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Electroshock Therapy
All the muscles in the world won't soften the blow of 10,000 volts.
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“What the hell just happened?”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Electroshock Therapy.
How To Conquer
Don’t overthink it – there may well be a correlation between the time spent procrastinating and the number of shocks… Psych up (a battle cry may help) and charge straight into the belly of the beast. Run like hell, cover your face and remember to get back up quickly if you do go down.
Obstacle Training Tips
There are not many recommended ways to train for this obstacle. However, keeping your feet is very important. So work on your balance and stability when moving over uneven ground. Working on your footwork, agility and ability to change direction quickly will all be beneficial. But in the end, just close your eyes and run.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: What does it feel like?
A: Being hit in the head by an angry ghost.
A: Being hit in the head by an angry ghost.
A HISTORY: ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY
Perhaps Tough Mudder’s most controversial obstacle, this simple structure remains largely unchanged from its inception and earliest days on course. A field of wires dangling from a rectangular frame, clicking as 10,000 volts crackle through them. Over the years mud, trenches, rows of hay and even a grandstand have been added to enhance the spectacle. A right of passage for most participants and favourite amongst spectators who enjoy watching the carnage.
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Mud Mile
A puddle of mud is an inconvenience. A series of 10' deep, rolling mud mountains is a privilege.
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“The dirtiest experience my friends and I have had in years”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Mud Mile.
How To Conquer
It’s time to get dirty. Really dirty. Grab your friends and be ready to get utterly covered in the soft sloppy stuff. There is no alternative but to slip into the mud and work your way through. Grab hold of all those sloppy helping hands to haul yourself up and over mounds of mud.
Obstacle Training Tips
There is not much you can do in the gym to get prepped for an obstacle like this. Your training time is going to be much better served to convince a bunch of your friends to be right there alongside you, down and dirty, in the trenches.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How dirty do you really get?
A: There will be mud in certain places for weeks…
A: There will be mud in certain places for weeks…
A HISTORY: MUD MILE
Mud has been an integral part of Tough Mudder since the first event in 2010. From a simple, non-lined excavation, filled with cold water and straw, the experience developed and the focus shifted to real muddy mud. As it evolved it became more about its positive attributes – slides, awesome photos, helping hands, and outrageous fun reminiscent of childhood. With this aim in mind, Mud Mile evolved into what we see today.
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Everest
Run fast, jump high, and reach for a helping hand over this greased 13' quarterpipe.
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“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: 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.
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Funky Monkey
A set of gussied up monkey bars, designed to fling you into the water with reckless abandon.
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“It’s the Demon Monkey Bar from hell.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Funky Monkey.
How To Conquer
On the way up, remember momentum is key. Once you reach the spinning wheels, you’re going to need grip and upper body strength to get across these.Take time with your transition, moving from the ladder to the first moving wheel is going to throw you so prepare yourself for the lurch and try to get two hands on the wheel.
Obstacle Training Tips
To no one’s suprise upper body strength is key for Funky Monkey. Shoulders, arms and grip strength will all play a crucial role in allowing you to avoid the drop in the drink. Go down to the park, get on the kids play equipment and practice.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: What makes these Monkey Bars Funky?
A: You will find out when you make it to the other side.
A: You will find out when you make it to the other side.
A HISTORY: FUNKY MONKEY
Funky Monkey is one of the original obstacles to grace Tough Mudder courses and has been a staple ever since. It has changed it’s makeup and tested Mudders in different ways throughout it’s exisitance but has always been one of the most challenging obstacles on course. 2017 saw the introduction of the spinning wheels with “The Revolution” and we haven’t looked back since.
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Arctic Enema
Take a dunk in this 4-degree ice pit. Glass will never be safe again.
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“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: 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 years progressed those nerds 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.
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The Block Ness Monster
Flip your friends off - and have them thank you for it. Rotating a set of 500lb blocks takes a village.
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“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: 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.
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