Gladiators: Train 2 Win

Synopsis

The first series emphasised fitness education, with young contenders answering health and fitness questions while playing specially adapted games. It was presented by Sharron Davies, then starring as Amazon in the parent series, and Daley Thompson, and initially aired on Saturday mornings as part of Scratchy & Co. The second series underwent a major format revision, becoming much closer to the main show. It moved to 4:40pm on Fridays, and most educational content was removed.

Contenders now played in teams of two, each captained by a Gladiator. This series was notable as the first time Gladiators competed against one another in any domestic competition. Each episode featured four events from a pool of six, ending with the Eliminator. This format continued for the third and fourth series.

The second series was presented by the Gladiators themselves on rotation. Margherita Taylor and Kyran Bracken presented the third series; Lee Sharpe replaced Bracken for the fourth. John Sachs commentated the first two series, then Mitch Johnson for the third and fourth. Frank Dick refereed the first series, John Anderson the second, and Andrew Norgate the third and fourth. Scripted commentary writers included Andrew Whelan.

Events

Danger Zone: The Gladiator captain runs the Danger Zone while a contender from the opposing team fires tennis balls. The Gladiator has no weapons and must shield using four weapon stations, each exploding after five seconds. Reaching the lower target awards 5 points; being hit gives 1 point per station reached. Skytrak: Both contenders and their Gladiator captains are attached to the Skytrak.

A contender runs the first half of the course, then tags the Gladiator captain for the second half. The first team across the line receives 10 points; the runners-up get 5. Hang Tough: This event is a relay race. One contender and the Gladiator captain each cross the Hang Tough grid once, tagging the other at the opposite platform.

The first team to complete the relay earns 10 points; the runners-up get 5. The Wall: Also a relay. One contender completes the first half of the wall, then tags the Gladiator captain waiting on the overhang. The first team to the top receives 10 points; the runners-up get 5.

Atlasphere Alley: One contender is mounted inside an Atlasphere and must power it toward ten giant bowling pins. Each pin knocked over awards 1 point. Pyramid: All three team members participate. Pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle are placed across the pyramid.

Each member collects one piece and assembles it on the arena floor. When the puzzle is complete, the Gladiator captain races to the top of the pyramid to collect the points. The winning team receives 10 points.