I Took The ‘Gladiators’ Eliminator And Learned Why This Fitness Challenge Is Exploding

There’s no doubt about it—Gladiator fever is back and it’s inspiring us all to be strong. While American Gladiators started things in 1989, the recent success of international restarts in Australia, France and the United Kingdom has revived the global scene again. And it’s in the UK that the world’s first “Gladiators Experience” has opened at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham. So, as a childhood Gladiators fan who is now a grown-up fitness writer, I couldn’t resist the chance to step inside the arena, and while I quickly learned that winning isn’t always possible, I also learned that giving your best effort is non-negotiable.

Writing to you M&F it’s not your typical day job. In the last few years I have trained with the strongest men in the world, I have been tested in wrestling, and I have even been banned from the England Rugby League team. And, during each of these painful but very inspiring moments, I have learned that enjoying sports is not limited to those elite athletes. Fortunately, it was this positive, if naive, attitude that took over when I put on my competitor’s uniform and prepared to go solo in the Gladiators’ final assault course known as “The Eliminator.” It was here that my experience became epic.

M&F Author Takes Eliminator on The Gladiators Experience

The climax of each episode of Gladiators requires two contestants to race through The Eliminator’s attack course, to win the show outright. As a reporter, my first plan was to slowly walk around the circuit with my photographer, mostly for photo purposes, but this plan to detour the full body of the course was quickly thwarted when fellow Gladiators competitor, and record-breaking Eliminator finisher, Nathan Bland tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wanted to chase him. My answer? Of course not! Yet seconds later, the whistle blew and I found myself navigating a difficult part of the course. In all fairness, Bland, who reached the semi-finals of the reality show, was never in danger of losing to me, often slowing down to encourage my progress along the way, but it all felt too far away when I exercised my body and mind, and left it all on the floor of The Eliminator in Birmingham.

For beginners, the Eliminator Course is the same in each country, and includes challenges such as obstacle beams, balance beams, cargo nets, high ropes, and the famous walker. As the whistle blew, Bland explained that the first obstacle beam required a “big jump” to get through, and so far, so good. I then pulled myself up, by rope, to a higher point and slowly crossed the first measuring line before scaling the endless supply net that went up to the top of the plank. “This is the worst part,” offered Bland, as I tried to climb to the top, lactic acid in full effect.

Anyway, what goes up, must come down, and I managed to twist both feet under my knees as I finished my zip line trip with the kind of crash landing that makes loud screeching sounds in both of your legs. It must be said here that the health and safety team were there to check on me, but as my coach-turned-trainer encouraged me again, I picked myself up and completed the last set of balance beams before running up a walker and falling flat on my face. Anyway, adrenaline levels were through the roof at this point, so I paddled back to my feet and grabbed the last rope to cross the finish line. Are you being beaten? Yes! Are you injured? Surely? I’M so proud? Absolutely!

You Don’t Have To Be A Gladiator To Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

While you don’t have to be a Gladiator to try this experience, it’s comforting to know that competitors like Nathan Bland are there to give you some support. And, it must be said, that even the Gladiators themselves face difficulties with certain events. Gladiator Fire (Montell Douglas) holds the British woman’s record for the fastest 100m at 11.05 seconds but competing in events like the “Hang Tough,” where she has to face competitors by swinging through a series of rings placed at a height puts her in an unfamiliar place. “The more you do it, the better it gets,” Fire tells M&F.

For Gladiator Electro (Jade Packer), one of the fastest runners in the world and IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, one of the biggest challenges comes, surprisingly, from running events like “Unleashed,” where the pace is set from the start. “You only got one shot,” Electro explained about catching up with his rival.

Elsewhere, Gladiator Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) is a super-powered medalist, but says high-profile events are testing her low center of gravity. On the other hand, Diamond (Livi Sheldon) chooses “The Wall,” but this is Cyclone’s (Lystus Ebrosel) event that she doesn’t like very much. Undoubtedly, the different disciplines of each athlete lead to different strengths and weaknesses, and such a revelation is encouraging, because it means that regardless of our level of fitness, or where we are on our journey to greatness, the whole point of the Gladiators Experience is to find the hero in all of us and surpass our perceived limits mentally and physically.

“First of all, I’m not your friend,” explained Gladiator Phantom in the way he spoke to his gang. “Because I want you to do the work without being given, without help. I want you to bring your best, and then finally, we will break bread.”

Fortunately, the Gladiators Experience, while as close as you can get to the thrill of a TV show, is very much a family affair. “It brings life to what we do,” said Mlilo. “But also, how hard it is, and it’s fun.”

The Gladiators Experience continues at the NEC in Birmingham, England until August 31, 2026. For more information, click here!