Hydrophobia is as unique as it is fear-inducing. Test your courage (and hold your breath) as you submerge yourself and slither beneath a series of submerged pipes.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
HOLD YOUR BREATH
Take the biggest breath you can and plunge beneath the tube. The gap is small but you can make it.
GUIDE YOUR TEAM
Although it might not look like it, Hydrophobia is a teamwork obstacle. Having a helping hand to guide you under the pipe is invaluable.
“I was so scared but I took a deep breath and grabbed my teammates hand – she pulled me through.”
The Inside Word
Deep dive into the details of Hydrophobia.
How to Conquer
Take the biggest breath you can and dunk under the water. The gap beneath the pipe is smaller and lower than you think so get down as far as you can, find the gap and slip your body through it. The water will be murky so you’re going to have to trust your hands and your teammates.
Obstacle Training Tips
As the name suggests Hydrophobia is all about overcoming fear. You can’t train for that in the gym. However, a good overall fitness is going to improve your lung capacity and ensure you can take a big old gulp of air before diving under the pipe.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: Why do you love combining water and small spaces?
A: Because we know Mudders can overcome their fears.
Sometimes you just gotta have faith to conquer an obstacle, and leaping over a 6’ water-filled gap to a hanging rope net is gonna require some serious belief (in yourself).
Pucker up because you're about to get up close and real personal with the mud. Navigate through less than 18" of barbed wire clearance in an army crawl motion through uneven muddy surfaces. The only way out is a low & slow motion to avoid a prick before you are on your way to the next obstacle filled with surprises.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
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.
At 9’ tall with a tiny 4” foot hold, this mud slicked wall is a deceptively difficult challenge that even the most experienced Mudders have to take seriously.
As you approach the angry beast, you can hear it clicking its 1,000 yellow tongues at you, just waiting for you to run right into its gaping mouth. Others go ahead before you and for a split second you think it will all be okay—hey, look, that guy’s making it through fine. But you can feel the sweat on your brow as you realize, holy sh*t it’s your turn. You’re about to dash through 10,000 volts of electricity...
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
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.
A Tough Mudder staple, Mud Mile is exactly what it sounds like. Truckloads of deep, wet, sloppy mud carefully sculpted into rolling mounds. With deeper trenches and higher hills for you and your team to scramble over, there is no way you're getting out clean.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
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.
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.
