Well Swung

Jump high, hang low, and let it all swing out on Tough Mudder's take on the trapeze.

Participant preparing to jump and swing to the other side of Well Swung

AIM HIGH

Keep your eye on the prize and jump upwards.

SWING TRUE

Use your forward momentum to keep a nice even swing.

FALL WITH STYLE

As ol’ Buzz Lightyear used to say.

THE DEEP END

A substantially deep body of water is waiting for you to drop into.

“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 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.

Participant crawling lowly to avoid barbed wires

Army Crawl

Use your knees and elbows to get you across to the other side

Low Ceiling

With only so much clearance, make sure to keep you head low to avoid the gnarly barbed wire

Wet & Wild

Uneven surfaces lurk below the muddy madness

Low & Slow

Take your time to avoid getting pricked

“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.

Participants linking arms while going through Electroshock Therapy

START FAST

Just start running and don’t stop.

WATCH YOUR FEET

Wet sloppy mud that makes you slip and the electricity worse.

SLOPPY MUD

Obstacles dotted among the wires to trip you up.

10,000 VOLTS

That’s right. You will feel it.

“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 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.

Participants exercising teamwork to conquer Mud Mile

TEAMWORK

You’ll need to grab a muddy hand to get through this one.

DEEP TRENCHES

From knee to waist deep, these watery pits will be waiting.

MUD MOUNDS

So steep and so slippery. Almost impossible to scale alone.

GET DIRTY

You will be covered. Truly covered, in mud.

“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 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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Cage Crawl

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.

Participant smiling while holding unto cage

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.

A HISTORY: CAGE CRAWL

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Everest

Run fast, jump high, and reach for a helping hand over this greased 13' quarterpipe.

Participant preparing to jump on Everest

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.

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Funky Monkey

A set of gussied up monkey bars, designed to fling you into the water with reckless abandon.

Participant holding on bars tightly and halfway through with the obstacle

UP YOU GO

Focus on getting a good start and a good grip.

KEEP YOUR MOMENTUM

Swing yourself. Feel the flow.

SPINNING AROUND

This is where things really get weird.

EXIT PLEASE

Do not mess it up at the end.

“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 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.

Participant submerged in Arctic Enema, catching his breath

SLIDE OR DUNK

Depending on the course designers, you will either dunk yourself or be dunked to enter.

TONNES OF ICE

Over 8 tonnes 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.

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