Tough Mudder 15K (different name, same formidable challenge) is a return to our badass roots. The ultimate obstacle course now with 30 obstacles over a 9+ mile run. These are the must know 15K obstacle tips.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Well, get training and watch as Tough Mudder EmCee Eric “ERock” Botsford breaks down the tips and tricks that will help you and your teammates conquer some of the most epic and infamous obstacles on the Tough Mudder 15K course.
(NOTE: If you’re skipping the 15K and trying the shorter—but still badass—Tough Mudder 5K this year, check out our Tough Mudder 5K: Tips & Tricks to get prepped.)
Let’s meet the 15K Obstacles
Mud Mile 2.0
By far Tough Mudder’s well, muddiest obstacle, this one requires you and your teammates to navigate six 6-foot trenches. It’s all about teamwork, people.
Throw up a knee
Give a boost
Turn around and help a friend
Mudderhorn
Mudderhorn is a three-story cargo net A-fram—the biggest obstacle on the Tough Mudder course, and new for 2019.
Get a boost to get up to the cargo net
Climb hand-over-hand
Don’t look down!
Funky Monkey
Grip strength, grip strength, and grip strength are the keys to conquering this classic Tough Mudder obstacle.
Train grip strength
Slow down
Choose your route wisely
Black Widow
Another new obstacle, Black Widow is a 30-foot cobweb of slacklines suspended over a pool of water.
Side shuffle or foot-over-foot
Use your hands and knees
Choose your route wisely
Block Ness Monster
A course favorite, this beast is a series of spinning blocks that you and your teammates have to get up and over.
Communicate — only 1-2 athletes should try to get over at a time
Be strategic: Stay on top of the block and pull from the other side
Keep the blocks spinning
The Gauntlet
This one’s all about you: 4 unique challenges—balance beam, wall traverse, and two tests of grip-strength—on the biggest obstacle Tough Mudder has ever created.
Keep your core tight and move your feet straight
Push your hands and feet straight into the walls
Channel your inner child on the ring swing
Kiss of Mud
Prepare to get yer face (and everything else) dirty: This is 40 feet of mud you’ll need to crawl through—with razor-sharp barbed wire just 18 inches above you.
Stay low. Really low.
Crawl with your arms, not your legs
Use the muddy lane to slide through
Berlin Walls
This 9-foot wall is the quintessential Tough Mudder teamwork obstacle.
Take a knee: Your teammates can step up
Give your teammates a boost
Rotate your hips over the top of the wall
Leap of Faith
It doesn’t get any more Tough Mudder than this obstacle: a 6-foot water gap jump, cargo net climb, and a pole traverse.
Spot your takeoff
Build up speed: Get a good running start
Aim high with your hands and grip the cargo net tight
Arctic Enema
Experienced Mudders know this obstacle is a Tough Mudder rite of passage.
Prepare your mind for the cold
Keep moving
Shake it off to get your blood flowing
Augustus Gloop
A true test of your courage and mental grit—especially if you’re claustrophobic.
Hold your breath and duck underneath
Don’t look up
Keep a firm grip
Everest
A 12-foot quarter-pipe that’s all about sprinting and commitment.
Sprint all the way up
Grab an outstretched arm
Swing your leg up
Devil’s Beard
It’s all about slowing down to speed up when it comes to conquering this 60-foot cargo net that’s staked to the ground. You can do it by yourself—but it’ll be easier if you don’t.
Grab your group
First person stands up halfway
Arch your back to elevate the net off the ground
Spread Eagle
A 30-foot slackline spaced about 18 inches apart.
Slow your roll—or you’ll end up in the water.
Use all fours, inchworm, or even roll across
Tight Squeeze
This brand new obstacle requires you to get down on your hands and knees and go under multiple tubes, and then climb and crawl your way out the other side. If you weren’t totally muddy before, you will be now.
Crawl under
Arch your back
Use teamwork to create a path
Electroshock Therapy
Nothing says Tough Mudder more than 800 square feet of dangling live wires.
Mental grit
Ninja moves
Get back up and finish
MORE: Top 5 Tips for Surviving Electroshock Therapy
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