2006 Biggest Loser Winner 
Erik, X Gym's 2006 Biggest Loser contest winner lost more than 85 pounds of fat in just 8 months! He got in shape so fast, he even started competing in the Fireman's Combat Challenge where he quickly qualified for and competed in the world championships in Vegas! Now he is training for wrestling at the world police and fireman games in Australia. He went from a 300 pound guy to a world class athlete in under a year! How's that for amazing?

The Combat Challenge is a grueling course involving the following events:

  • 5 story stair sprint carrying a 45 lbs hose pack (plus the 40 lbs, of gear already on).

  • 50 foot vertical rope haul with a 45 pound hose pack tied to the end of the rope

  • Sprint back down stairs (without missing a single step).

  • Keiser sled sledge hammer slam (sled weighs 175 lbs.)

  • Slalom run (not easy in fireman's boots)

  • Full hose drag (gets heavier as you go)

  • 175 lbs. dummy drag (must run backwards)

Most fireman complete this course in 4 minutes. May need medical attention after and some have even died because of the extreme difficulty and physical exertion. Erik's time is currently down to 2:09 and dropping. We will see him in the  World Championships next year too! 

His relay team also qualified for worlds on Saturday 7/8/06 with the second fastest time of the day! Travis Air Force Base was the only team with a faster time and they are the current world champions and the world record holders. Erik's team only practiced for 2 weeks before competing while Travis has been together for years! For the video of their incredible relay performance click the link at the bottom of the page (Erik does the full hose drag segment).

Since Erik has lost so much weight and increased cardio as fast, he now trains with a 60 lb. weight vest in our 50% incline trainer (most treadmills only go to 12%) 

 

Erik 1.JPG (481387 bytes)  Go Erik!  Erik 2.JPG (603023 bytes)

 

Click below for a video of him as a beginner (he's even faster now!)

 

Erik's practice run: