Tough Mudder 15K: Obstacle Tips & Tricks

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