STRONG, NBC's new reality fitness competition series, sent the Orange team packing and also welcomed back one previously-eliminated trainer and trainee during Thursday night's broadcast.
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The player in each group to complete the elimination tower in the fastest time would be allowed to re-enter the competition together as a new team.
Adam Von Rothfelder, a 33-year-old from Milwaukee, WI, was not medically cleared to compete, so he didn't even have the opportunity to potentially return.
In the end, trainer Todd Durkin, a 44-year-old from San Diego, CA, won his way back on the show as well as trainee Brittany Harrell-Miller, a 25-year-old from Lawrence, KS. They were formed into a new Yellow team on the spot and received one medallion worth $25,000.
Gabrielle then explained there would only be one challenge per week going forward dubbed the "Ultimate Challenge." The losing team must automatically face the elimination tower with no chance of saving themselves. Meanwhile, the winning team earns a $25,000 medallion and the ability to send one team to the elimination tower.
For this week's "Ultimate Challenge," each pair had to take turns rolling a 16-pound ball back and forth in order to hit a red button on either side of the setup. The task was tough on their shoulders, calves and glutes. The team to accomplish the most reps in 10 minutes would win.
After a tough fight, the Grey team was victorious. Trainer Wesley Okerson, a 37-year-old from Los Angeles, CA, and trainee Jasmine Loveless, have racked in a total of $75,000 in medallions so far. The Purple team -- Mathew Miller, a 34-year-old from Las Vegas, NV, and Nicole Bentley, a 25-year-old from Los Angeles, CA, finished in last place.
Wesley and Jasmine then deliberated and decided the Orange team -- comprised of trainer Chris Ryan, a 35-year-old from New York, NY, and trainee Giovanna Cicerchia, a 38-year-old from Wyckoff, NJ -- should face Mat and Nicole at the elimination tower, which features four levels of obstacles designed to push the contestants to their limits and leave them physically drained.
The race was extremely close, but the Purple team won with a faster time of three minutes and 34 seconds. Giovanna and Chris finished the tower only two seconds behind them. Before they left the game, Giovanna and Chris have their two medallions to the Mat and Nicole.
In a post-STRONG update, Giovanna started the show with 29% body fat, and now, she only has 21%. Her initial resting heart rate was seven, and now it's six. In addition to gaining seven pounds of lean muscle during and after her journey on the show, Giovanna also dropped from a Size 12 to a Size 6.
"The Giovanna that came out to STRONG wasn't healthy. I was a total emotional eater. Now I feel great. I'm a mom of three and the children actually saw mommy get stronger, lose weight and build muscle. I achieved so much and I feel proud. I get to be an example for them. This is my life... I'm going to be like this forever," Giovanna said in her update.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
