Holding hands isn't just for lovers - it's for anyone hoping to make it through Texas Hold'em. This topsy-turvy obstacle features sharply two sharply angled platforms on a pivoting base. You'll need to grab hands with another Mudder (friend or stranger, it doesn't matter at a Tough Mudder) and shuffle in unison to keep the whole seesaw from rocking you off.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Hold Hands
Sweaty hands are no excuse – clasp hands tightly and stay interlocked.
Do the Two Step
Moving out of sync is a fasttrack to failure. Coordinate those foot movements!
Find Your Center
No two participants are identical, so find your center of gravity before moving!
“We laughed, we cried, we fell off.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Texas Hold’em.
How To Conquer
The two things to remember here are balance and trust. Choosing a partner that is roughly your height won’t hurt either. Get a good grip on each other’s hands (crosslinking helps some people), bend your elbows slightly, and plant your feet on the platforms simultaneously. Shuffle, don’t step, in coordinated movements to keep the platform (relatively) steady.
A HISTORY: TEXAS HOLD’EM
Invented in 2019, Texas Hold’em was designed to add a simple-yet-engaging shot of teamwork to the Tough Mudder course. The design was further refined in 2021 to get that famous wobble just right.
Piggyback rides are fun. Hauling your tired, muddy friend (or new acquintance) along a long stretch of trail is exquisite. Don't worry - you'll get to switch with them halfway.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Choose your Style
Piggyback or Fireman style – that is the question. See what feels right.
Eye on the Prize
See that sign in the distance? That’s where you switch. Make haste.
Meet & Greet
Don’t know anyone? No problem. Odd numbers are as common as even numbers. It’s time to meet a new friend.
“It was the greatest, muddiest piggyback ride of my life.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Hero Carry.
How To Conquer
Talk with your teammate (or random partner) about how you’d like to carry and/or be carried. Piggybacking is traditional, but the advanced fireman’s carry technique – in which you carry your partner across your back by hooking one of their arms and one of their legs with your elbows – is the key for fastmovers.
A HISTORY: HERO CARRY
The concept of carrying a companion for the sheer joy of it is surely as old as humanity itself. Our innovative team would never dream of taking credit for it.
We'd tell you to watch your step, but it'll do you no good: there's no telling where the next hole will be. Pitfall will take you across a muddy swamp, filled with hidden sinkholes. Even the most sure-footed Mudder can expect some mud on their face.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Step Lightly
Don’t stomp through the swamp on this one. Tread carefully and feel for the holes.
Look Around
See where that guy just fell? Don’t step there.
Embrace the Mud
Face it – you’re getting muddy. Might as well laugh about it.
“Don’t be hasty. Those holes are SNEAKY.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Pitfall.
How To Conquer
Move slowly here and step lightly here, because there’s not much more that you can do to prepare. The holes are deep and random, so don’t go stomping.
A HISTORY: PITFALL
Originally devised by a sneaky excavator in the early days of Tough Mudder, Pitfall introduced a simple element of surprise that’s hard to top.
Inspired by obstacles of old, Well Swung is a brand new addition in 2021. Jump out, grab hold and swing your way through the air. Imagine it's like a giant trapeze just without the grace or style. At the end of your swing, launch yourself through the air and aim for the Cow Bell - either way, you're ending up in the drink.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
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?
This obstacle ups the ante as Mudders have to drag their muddy bodies up a pipe, and find themselves perched at the end of a 5’ drop into the cold water below. Falling gracefully isn’t really an option, so just hold your nose and take the plunge.
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.
