Previously on The Biggest Loser the champions were put through their paces in the very first training session at Camp Biggest Loser. Cam chucked a wobbly and walked out for a bit but then he came back and did some more rowing and got cheered for it, hooray!

Back in Ararat Secret Weapon Mish had some of the rest of Ararat fill up two dump trucks with loose gravel. Presumably for her new mansion driveway or something?

Tonight! More training and then a challenge on the beach. Fun times ahead.

Hayley comes into the house and tells the contestants that two teams were competing back in Ararat for an advantage to ship up to the house. Black team won the advantage and Hayley says they’re really going to appreciate it when the time comes.

Shannan’s not worried, he’s going to use it to spur his team on.

Day two in Shannan’s gym. Ready to rock? Did everyone do their homework? Everyone but Mary! Mary got to 250 calories and then she hurt too much and gave up.

Cam’s disgusted and frustrated. Apparently forgetting he piked out of the first training session.

Shannan’s going to get Mary to make up the extra 350 calories in today’s session and Mary’s determined to show her team that she really is trying her best.

They’re doing a circuit. And Shannan wants them to do that thing where they do the circuit once and record their time, then do it again and try to beat that time.

Mary’s trying hard, she says. She’s going hell for leather. She’s certainly grunting like she’s putting in a huge effort!

Mary does manage to smash her distance rowed, so she’s done well. Cam’s still whinging at us though, saying she’s got more in the tank. Shannan just says as she gets used to more discomfort the stronger she’ll get.

Natalie’s the only one to fall short of her target. Just four metres short. Shannan wants her to go again and this time hit 800. Natalie’s worried because she thought she put everything into the first go and now she has to go again? What if she can’t do it?

“Harden up Mum, harden up Mum!” She gets 812 in the end. Shannan says she’s a survivor and a fighter. She’s stared death down (cancer) but now she just has to get her weight and health under control.

Natalie had to send her youngest away while she was fighting cancer. Shannan says she’ll have to do the same again, take a bit of time away from the kids and get better, then go back as a much healthier Mum.

Meanwhile on the back paddock Commando Steve has his team jogging back and forth. He wants them all working together as a team. Jog together as a unit, back and forth. Step over the rope at one end and go back. Steve calls Caitlin back because she didn’t go over the rope. No shortcuts, that’s the stuff that’s going to trip them up, Commando says.

Next up is pushup position on the rope. Caitlin’s not ready, her hair’s fallen out of the ponytail. Oh no!

They’re walking the rope forward. One hand at a time. Left, right.

They’re all struggling with the exercise a bit, not getting the movements right. Steve demonstrates the right way to do it, by himself, easily moving the rope. Even after the demonstration they’re still not doing it right, mostly.

Steve’s giving them a real arse kicking but Cal says he knows it’s just because he wants them working together. After it’s over Steve tells Cal he’s picking him as team leader for the upcoming challenge because he won’t be there himself.

Cal’s used to playing in a team environment, having played Aussie Rules since he was 8! He’s never even had a year off. Crazy. He’s used to encouraging others and being encouraged himself, etc.

After training they sit down in the lounge for a bit of a get-to-know-you session. They’re all from a small country town and so many of them know each other and have some kind of relationship to each other.

Kerry and Toni own one of the pubs in town, though they’ve leased it out at the moment. Rodger made the pool team for their pub. Rodger was nicknamed Tap-Tap, because for a big bloke he doesn’t hit the ball very hard. Bwahaha!

Then Rodger works with Cam, Cam’s his boss. Mary’s his second cousin. Toni’s taught Caitlin at school. Toni’s an art teacher, if you’ve not had time to read her profile!

Kerry and Jane work together, as does Matt. As does Shannon’s husband. Natalie lives a few doors down from Craig.

At this point there’s links drawn all over the whiteboard they brought in to illustrate. Steve says it looks like Sydney’s rail network.

In the side bits Steve is just cracking up. It’s pretty funny. Small towns, man!

Craig’s met Jane’s sister. And Caitlin’s aunty. At the pub, of course! And he’s played golf with Matt.

Sharon’s eaten some of Rodger’s donuts.

Shannan tells them it’s the most common ground they’ve had between contestants in the first week, and with elimination coming up it’s going to be a rough ride, he says. And word will get back to town pretty quick, too.

Now it’s time for the challenge. They’re at the beach. No beaches in Ararat, no beaches anyone near Ararat. They’re at Collaroy Beach today.

The challenge is called Chains of Pain. It’s a 350m stretch of sand, four obstacles in the way. Dig to crawl under a log, over a blockade, sprint back to the start to finish the challenge.

They’ll be tethered together with 21m of chain that weighs 75kg. After every second obstacle they get another chain. By the end they’ll be carrying 3 chains that weigh a total 225kg.

Except Black team, who only have to carry 2 chains thanks to the advantage won for them by the people back in Ararat.

The winning team today will get a big 2kg advantage at the first weigh in.

Cal’s confident with his team’s strength. Mary’s thinking she’ll let the team down. We’ll see!

Cam’s giving his team a pep talk after they’re all tethered up. Keep your heads up, guys. And Mary, just walk!

Mary says it’s hard enough just walking in the sand without any extra weight. But she wants to prove she can carry her weight in the team.

Don’t worry Mary, just keep up the exercise and healthy eating and your weightloss will more than make up for any deficiencies in challenges!

Katrina says it was like dragging a truck, the chains were so hard to pull along.

Sharon’s worried they’ll have to dig some very big holes because they’re still very big people!

Craig “Boobs” Booby is the biggest bloke so he’s expecting it to be a tight fit. His nickname is Boobs though. That’s the important thing to take away from this. BOOBS.

Cam says it’s tough to dig in the loose sand with a chain attached. He’s trying to unite the team because he runs supermarkets, has a team behind him. He employs the most people in town, he says. He’s doing it partly for his workers, to be a better role model. His workers are the ones who put him up for it, by the way.

Cal’s trying to get through under the first set of logs but they’ve not quite dug enough out so he has to flail his arms up behind his head to dig a bit more out. He eventually squeezes through, just as Rodger squeezes through on Blue’s side.

Ahh but it’s time to try and get Mary underneath the log. Mary’s not going to fit. They haven’t dug far enough, not just because she’s fat. No, it’s more because she’s quite tall too. She can’t really bend the way that’s needed to get under the logs. Not her fault. Well, suppose it’s her fault she’s so big but they should have dug a bigger hole!

Cal wants his team to beat Blue through the log so they have to watch Black walking on to the next bit.

Mary’s had to readjust herself a few times to get through but she’s managed to get there in the end without giving up.

Black’s strategy is to get everyone through before Craig, having the biggest lad go last. Gives them more hands on the far side to dig out the hole big enough for him to get through.

It’s still not big enough though. Sharon says Cal’s being a bit like the Commando, saying get this done and get it done now.

“Turn your head around, Boobs!”

Blue’s gotten through the first obstacle in first place while Craig’s still trying to squish under the log. Just dig it out a bit more, it doesn’t take that long guys!

Next obstacle is an up and over box thing. Mary’s struggling but with a lot of pushing and shoving from her team she makes it over with only minor dings to her dignity.

Craig’s asking for a beer but Toni says that’s what got them into this in the first place. Nobody seems to be helping him dig himself out though. Come on guys.

Blue’s picked up their second chain. Matt says it’s like having a car attached to them and trying to drag it along.

Cars don’t weight 75kg. I can lift 75kg, I can’t lift a car. Cars do not weigh 75kg.

Black’s catching up to Blue as they get to the next digging section. Mary’s trying to dig but is flinging sand in the face of people behind her. Oops!

Black is clambering over the obstacle, helping each other over. Caitlin gets a leg up but falls down on the first attempt. She knows she’s not as fit as some of the others but she’s determined to give it a good go.

Mary says she’s exhausted already and Katrina says it’s just her mind that’s exhausted, not her body. Toughen up!

Black’s got their second chain on, which is their last. Blue still have one more to go.

Rodger’s first under the obstacle. Mary’s going to be second again. She’s not sure she has the energy for doing it again. Head down and into the hole, Mary!

Mary’s saying she can’t get under, there’s not enough room for her fat, not enough room for her butt. Cam’s on her case, telling her she can’t say can’t. “Suck and push, suck and push!” Chortlechortle.

Black’s hearing the Blue team fighting amongst themselves while they’re all working together really well. Caitlin’s very happy with their efforts.

Cal gets under the logs first, just as Mary makes it out from under them. Blue still in the lead, but they do still have that extra chain to pick up…

Blue is through their obstacle as Craig struggles to wiggle under. But those chains are getting really heavy…

Mary’s struggling to get up and over the final blockade. She feels like she’s just too big to get herself up and over. Everyone else is worried they won’t be able to help her over, either.

Mary tells us her head’s not in the right place since she’s had 48 years to get to where she is. She can’t see herself doing these things just yet.

Cal’s leading the team well, keeping them moving along calmly and surely. They lift Craig up and over, then Cal gets on his hands and knees in front of the blockade. It’s a bit hard on Cal but he’s willing to do it to get the team over the line.

The entire Black team gets over the obstacle before Blue can manage to get Mary over. They do eventually manage once Mary instructs her team to just lift her up one leg at a time, then pretty much roll her over the top. She doesn’t think it’s fair on her team, but that’s part of being in a team, Mary!

Everyone in the middle of the Black team line is struggling a bit, having done a lot of the digging. Craig’s lifting their team’s spirits a bit with a renewed burst of energy.

Black’s on the trip back to the start line as Blue gets their last chain hooked up. Mary’s spent and now she has to try dragging her feet through the sand the length of the course again? She’s getting a bit fed up with her unsupportive team, too.

Sharon’s finding it hard to look over at the Blue team because while she’s happy to be winning the other team is in shambles.

Mary tells Cam she can’t pull it but Cam says you can’t let it break you cause then they win.

Black’s a long way ahead, partway back down the course as Blue rounds the corner at the far end of the course.

Mary’s exhausted but Cam’s willing her to push further than she’s been pushed before. Cam asks her if she’s going to finish or not. They’re not going to tell her what to do! She’s trying the best she can, she says and starts into tears. Cam quietens her down while Katrina bitches in the background that they’re all tired, just pick it up.

In the home straight, Mary’s pushing on and pushing on… and then Mary’s passed out on the beach. Oh dear. Medic!

Black’s still pushing to the finish line. Craig is in the lead but he calls for them to cross the line together because it was a team effort, not an individual one today.

Cal’s stoked at their effort as a team today. They weren’t sure they were going to make it. Sharon falls to the ground under the weight of the chains, she says. She’s too tired to even unclip the chain.

The medic’s not allowing Mary to continue with the challenge, they’re unhooking her and the rest of the team will finish off the challenge. Mary’s having a sook later about wanting to finish with her team. Katrina also says she wishes they could have motivated Mary to finish the challenge. To be fair, she pushed to the point of passing out. You can’t ask much more than that!

Blue manage to drag their “three” chains to the end. There’s clearly only two chains they’re carrying at the end though.

Black team cheers them on from the finish line because it’s a township type thing.

Cam’s promising to come back stronger in the next challenge.

Sunday night on The Biggest Loser… last chance training! The first time the teams will face that monstrous challenge.
Then the first weigh-in, which will apparently be a record breaker of some kind?

Then… elimination. Who’ll be first sent home to Ararat? Care to take a guess, anyone?