TV season

Season 6

2011-01-30

The sixth season of the Australian version of the original NBC reality television series The Biggest Loser, known as The Biggest Loser Australia: Families, premiered on 30 January 2011 on Network Ten. This season saw the return of trainers Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton and Steve Willis (The Commando). It also introduced a new female trainer, Tiffiny Hall. The families included in this season are the Duncan Family, the Westren Family, the Challenor Family and The Moon Family.

Episodes

Episode 1

2011-01-30 • 38 min

After arriving to find Camp Biggest Loser empty, Hayley revealed the reason to the trainers: not only would they each have to train a family, but spend a week living (and eating) with them. Whisked away by helicopter to their respective new homesteads, Shannan, Michelle, The Commando and Tiffiny saw their momentous task first-hand, piling their plates in a truly eye-opening, waistband-expanding new experience. The families were awarded their team colours – Westrens (Blue), Moons (Black), Duncans (White), Challenors (Red) – before learning they would have their first weigh-in publicly, for all their loved ones to see.

Episode 2

2011-02-02 • 41 min

The public weigh-ins took place, Damien from the Challenors making Biggest Loser Australia history as the show’s heaviest contestant at a staggering 234.4kg. The teams and trainers were taken by limo to their new home – Camp Biggest Loser – where Hayley revealed the $300,000 prize on offer, and announced training would begin immediately. Tears, breakdowns and vomiting ensued as the first training session made each contestant face the reality of the journey they were about to take.

Episode 3

2011-02-03 • 41 min

The contestants were amazed to discover that in another Loser first, it would be the trainers weighing in. The results were a surprise to all, and not about to go unpunished. The contestants were woken at an unsociable 5am for a gruelling training session, after which they were given their bio ages by resident Doctor Swan. Each family member then recorded a video message to their future selves. That night the contestants were presented with their first Contest, endurance: a three-round, 10km race on the treadmills. Jodie, Leigh, Joe and Jarrod were chosen as the contesting champions, with The Blacks and Whites left at the final round.

Episode 4

2011-02-04 • 40 min

As the contest continued, Jarrod from The Duncans emerged victorious and was awarded the power to remove another family of their trainer until after next weigh-in, choosing to penalise The Moons and gleefully ordering The Commando to take a hike. The contestants trained, Sharlene had a breakdown which later turned into a breakthrough, and the families began their first Challenge – pulling an 88 tonne train 400 metres. The prize? A 4kg advantage at next weigh-in. The battle was tight, but The Duncans were edging ahead at the close.

Episode 5

2011-02-06 • 40 min

The Challenge pushed each contestant to the limit, and the Westrens’ Craig further, as he collapsed from the effort. The Duncans once again brought victory home, winning an all-important 4kg advantage at weigh-in. Big numbers fell at the weigh-in, with Jarrod crowned the week’s Biggest Loser, and The Duncans Biggest Losing Family. The Challenors and The Moons fell beneath the yellow line, and each nominated a member to face eviction. Rebecca and Greg went off to meet their fates, and Greg became the first contestant eliminated.

Episode 6

2011-02-09 • 39 min

The Red Team’s reaction to Greg’s elimination shocked many. The teams entered the lounge to find a note instructing them to ‘Go outside, a trail awaits.’ Little did they know the trail would take them to Temptation, picnic-style. Hayley explained that should anyone decide to take Temptation, they would have to race for a basket and eat what’s inside, while one basket contained $25,000. The catch being that whoever got the cash basket would have to leave the game if they wanted to keep it. Leigh was faced a life-changing decision, and Meg was lumbered with a 2000-calorie chicken meal to burn off. Michelle learnt news of Greg’s elimination and voiced her disgust, and the trainers turned up the eat on their families in post-Temptation training.

Episode 7

2011-02-10 • 40 min

The contestants learnt of the family weigh-in, and Leigh decided not to gamble with his life, rejecting the money in favour of remaining in the game. A decision that delighted his trainer Shannan, who led his team in a demanding circuit training session. Michelle continued to voice her immense disappointment in her family’s continued refusal to follow her instructions, and the team finally agreed to work harder so Greg’s elimination wasn’t for nothing. The Commando fought to deal with rifts appearing in the Moon family, and Tiff awarded the Duncans their yellow belts. The Contest was one of strength, with three rounds of curling, and Damien and Jarrod were left battling it out for the win.

Episode 8

2011-02-11 • 40 min

Realising the threat posed by the Duncans, they were the ones penalised. Despite Tiffiny doing her best to talk her team through how to make good choices from the menu, all the hidden ingredients made calorie counting difficult. The next Challenge began at ANZ Stadium; families each had to chose one member to sit out. Injured, the Challenors didn't compete, and were instead taken by Michelle to make amends with Greg. The Blues and Whites were leading the Challenge at the episode's end.

Episode 9

2011-02-13 • 40 min

After clearing the air with Greg, the Challenors decided to devote the week to him. The Duncans were put through their paces by Tiff during Last Chance Training, while the Commando ran the Moons ragged on the treadmill. At weigh-in, the Blues and Whites fell beneath the yellow line, and despite Craig imploring the other contestants to vote him out, Sarah-Jayne was eliminated, causing friction between the teams.

Episode 10

2011-02-16 • 40 min

Sharlene secured the prize for the Blues, much to Shannan’s dismay. All the trainers save Michelle were forced to chastise their trainees for taking Temptation. A particularly aggrieved Commando took the Blacks to a warehouse and put them through a torturous training session, at which Sarah could only watch as she was injured. As the episode came to a close the contestants entered the weigh-in room ready for this week's family weigh-in.

Episode 11

2011-02-17 • 40 min

The Westrens won at the scales and got to decide the champions for the next Contest. Enraged as the Black Team’s apparent lack of motivation, The Commando put them through another intense workout, this time on the parade ground in the pouring rain. The theme for the next Contest was knowledge, with the champions each picking an assistant. Little did they know that for every wrong answer the helper would be loaded with a 5kg weight.

Episode 12

2011-02-18 • 40 min

The Westrens won and selected the Challenors to ‘babysit’ a 5kg medicine ball for the week, having to keep it off the ground 24/7 until weigh-in. The penalty for failure was a second ball. Michelle took Joe to task for his reaction to the Reds being chosen. The Commado put the Moons through another taste of training torture, and the sand bag Challenge was revealed - the first family to load a tonne onto their scales would win a 1kg advantage at weigh-in, and letters from home.

Episode 13

2011-02-20 • 40 min

The Whites narrowly won the Challenge title from the Blues, and won the 1kg weight advantage and letters from home. After a gruelling training session the remaining families all received their letters too. With only one spot above the yellow line, the weigh-in was tense, but the Duncan family emerged victorious. In a shock decision the Challenors decided to put Damien up for elimination, and believing the move to be a calculated attempt to win the sympathy vote, the other contestants voted unanimously to send him home.

Episode 14

2011-02-23 • 64 min

The reaction to Damien’s Elimination was fierce, and the accusations poured down on Joe, who threatened to leave Camp Biggest Loser. Michelle was shocked by the decision, and that the others would vote the heaviest contestant out. The families were led into the weigh-in room and told to vote for the family they wanted out of the competition, which turned out to be the Challenors. The twist was revealed: the Reds would contest the rest of the week against the Team of Three Families. Training was brutal, and in a special event, more footage from the trainers' family stay was shown.

Episode 15

2011-02-24 • 40 min

At the family weigh-in the Team of Three Families weighed in as one against The Challenors, and recorded a massive weight loss. The Champions for the ‘Super Contest’ were decided: Joe, Leigh, Jarrod and Kellie. Joe won the first round, before submitting to Jarrod in the second. With the power to bring a family member back into the game on the line, it was a hard fought battle between Joe and Kellie on the bikes at the close.

Episode 16

2011-02-25 • 39 min

Joe emerged as the winner in the Super Contest, choosing Damien to come back into the game, who was welcomed with open arms. The trainers put the contestants through a punishing training session, after which Jodie opened up to Shannan about her battle with cancer. The Challenge began, though Damien wasn’t allowed to compete, with the winning team taking a 1kg per person advantage into the next weigh in. The Challenge was to load and pull sleds of water bottles, with the Reds surprisingly taking an early lead.

Episode 17

2011-02-27 • 40 min

The challenge is completed, who will gain advantage at the weigh-in? At the weigh-in, it's 3 families against 1,who will be eliminated?

Episode 18

2011-03-02 • 40 min

The teams reacted angrily to Jarrod’s Elimination, particularly that Joe wasn't respecting Nathaniel's opinion. Contestants entered the Temptation room to see big pictures of their loved ones hanging up, and were told that a chance to return home and see them was on the line. The families were blindfolded, and had to decide whether to dive into the bowls of chocolate buttons in front of them. Kellie won after eating a massive number, but suffered the Commando’s wrath as a result. As the family weigh-ins began, news of Jarrod’s weight gain on the outside shocked all.

Episode 19

2011-03-03 • 40 min

The family weigh-ins continued, with the contestants shocked at Jarrod and Greg’s weight gains. The Westerns won the weigh-in and chose Rebecca, Nathaniel and Emma to compete against Lara in the Contest. The Contest was held at North Sydney Olympic Pool, and carried out over three rounds: Knowledge, Strength and Endurance. In the first round the trainers sat in row boats, and for each question their Champion answered incorrectly had to add four buckets of water to their boat. Tiffiny sank first, eliminating Emma. Rebecca was eliminated next as the contestants had to carry weights from one side of the pool to the other, leaving Lara and Nathaniel to compete in the final round.

Episode 20

2011-03-04 • 40 min

As the pool contest continued it was between Lara and Nathaniel in the final round, Endurance. Lara won and with power over the game penalised the Moons with a 1kg disadvantage at weigh-in. After learning that his family hadn’t bothered doing an early morning training after receiving their penalty, the Commando let the Blacks have it, with Rebecca storming out of training. The Challenge was revealed to be a mud pit tug of war, with the four families hooked to each other and racing for flags in the four corners of the pit. It was a tight battle between Meg, Sarah, Damien and Leigh in the final round.

Episode 21

2011-03-06 • 41 min

After a final push Meg captured the final flag and won the Challenge. Last Chance Training exposed further rifts in the Red Team, as Nathaniel voiced his dislike of Joe and his dismay at being marginalised by his uncles. Michelle tried to clear the air, and resolutions were made to put differences behind them. Good numbers were lost by most at the weigh-in, with Emma taking the week’s Biggest Loser for the second time this series, but the Westrens and Moons were left under the yellow line. Craig and Jodie went up for Elimination, and the former was the one packing his bags at the close.

Episode 22

2011-03-09 • 38 min

After being told that fresh blood was arriving at Camp, the contestants were shocked to meet the team of Loser Legends – past players Adro, Sam, Bob and Lisa. The families learned that each team would be joined by a legend for the week, who would eat, train and compete in both Contests and Challenge with them. After getting to know their new additions in training, the families entered the weigh-in room, ready for the family weigh-ins.

Episode 23

2011-03-10 • 40 min

Craig was the only outside contestant that gained weight at the family weigh-in, and the Westrens once again took Biggest Losing Family. Rather than choosing the Champions for the Contest however, they discovered that the Loser Legends would be battling it out. Sam took the first round on the rowing machines, while Lisa was the second Legend eliminated after the knowledge round. Sam and Adro then prepared to contest the final.

Episode 24

2011-03-11 • 38 min

Training was intense for all the contestants, particularly Leigh, who was tested to the upmost by Shannan. The families were taken to the Challenge site, and told they had to carry buckets of water to the top of the sand dunes, tipping them into their barrel at the top to bring their key to the surface and release it. Sam and the Reds were the first to get their key, and release their flag for the win, giving the Challenors a 1kg weight advantage going into the weigh-in.

Episode 25

2011-03-13 • 41 min

The weigh-in was even tenser than usual, with Sarah walking out after Jodie’s suggestion that she was letting the team down. Lara took the week’s Biggest Loser, while the Duncans and Moons were left under the yellow line. Jodie and Emma were nominated, and Emma departed, leaving Meg the only family member left.

Episode 26

2011-03-16 • 39 min

The Temptation room contained multiple fridges, containing a range of calorie-heavy treats, with only one containing the treasured immunity for both eliminations. Nathaniel and Meg opted to play, with the latter winning immunity. After training it was into the family weigh-in.

Episode 27

2011-03-17 • 40 min

The Westrens once again took Biggest Losing Family of the week, and decided the competitors for the Contest to battle Lara: Damien, Kellie and Meg. At training The Commando re-introduced the Moons to basic nutrition. In the Contest the Champions had to saw exact weights off the logs in front of them. If they were more than 20grams off the specified weight, they would have to saw off another piece and try again. Kellie was the first contestant eliminated, followed by Meg, leaving Lara and Damien in the final.

Episode 28

2011-03-18 • 39 min

Shannan worked Lara hard in training, and the Commando endured another Moon meltdown. The Challenge was unveiled: a time trial assault course, with each family represented by two members – tied together. Lara and Leigh set an impressive time, while the Moons struggled, as Rebecca fought to overcome her fears.

Episode 29

2011-03-20 • 41 min

After a tough Last Chance Training it was into the weigh-in room, with only one spot above the yellow line up for grabs. The Westrens narrowly managed to snatch it from the Challenors, leaving the Reds and Blacks to nominate members for Elimination. Much to Nathaniel’s dismay his uncles nominated him, while Kellie went up for the Moons. Nathaniel was subsequently Eliminated, and left Camp Biggest Loser.

Episode 30

2011-03-23 • 39 min

After teams once again turned on Joe for putting Nathaniel up for Elimination, they were led into the weigh-in room and shown how much fat they’d collectively lost so far in the competition. They were also told that the teams would now be disbanded, and the game would be individual vs individual. They were then introduced to the multiple-round Pyramid of Fitness, across multiple pieces of fitness equipment, with the winner being crowned Loser’s ‘Ultimate Athlete.’ It was Joe vs Leigh in the final round.

Episode 31

2011-03-24 • 42 min

Contestants were then introduced to a ‘memory game’ Temptation, with immunity on the line. Sarah was the only person who played, but had to consume 20 cookies to finally win the prize. The players learnt that from now on only the top four at weigh-in compete in the Contest, and that this week’s would be for a 2kg weight advantage – 1kg for the winner, and 1kg for a contestant of their choice. The Contest theme was knowledge, with correct answers winning extra time to complete the disciplines in each round.

Episode 32

2011-03-25 • 39 min

Much to everyone’s surprise, Joe gave the 1kg advantage to Rebecca rather than his brother Damien, a decision that stunned Michelle, who made the Reds train at the House. The other players trained on the beach with Olympic volleyball champions Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook. The Challenge was a triathlon at Sydney harbour, with kayaks, bikes and cars. The prize: a night on Cockatoo Island with one of their loved ones, who were watching the event from a cruiser on the Harbour. Lara, Joe and Leigh were left contesting the final round.

Episode 33

2011-03-27 • 41 min

The other contestants received messages from their loved ones, before heading into Last Chance Training. With only one spot above the yellow line, weigh-in was closely fought, and Damien was left facing Elimination without the 1kg weight advantage enjoyed by Rebecca. Lara joined him, and with the deciding vote falling to Sarah, she opted to send Damien home.

Episode 34

2011-03-30 • 40 min

The first was in Temptation, where the families were put into 24-hour lockdown, with food being brought out on the hour, every hour. Meg and Joe decided to play, with the former prevailing, but only after consuming nearly a week’s worth of calories. Contestants trained and Rebecca visited her sick daughter in hospital, before everyone was lead into the weigh-in room for a surprise weigh-in. The Biggest Loser would receive the second Immunity. Meg’s result sent shockwaves through her peers.

Episode 35

2011-03-31 • 40 min

Tiffiny took Meg to task in training, while the Commando battled once again with a dispirited Sarah. Led into the Contest room, it was revealed that all would compete in a multiple-round endurance test, with Immunity the prize for the winner. Leigh and Lara were ready to face-off in the final round.

Episode 36

2011-04-01 • 40 min

The contestants endured a vigorous training session, with Tiffiny helping Meg get her exercise, diet and mind in order. The Challenge was at Palm Beach, with each player having to burrow under a railway pole to retrieve pieces of a flag: the first to build and erect theirs won the final Immunity. Leigh and Kellie were neck-and-neck at the close.

Episode 37

2011-04-03 • 41 min

With the final Immunity decided, it was into Last Chance Training, where Shannan pushed Sharlene harder than ever before. The cameras showed how Emma and Nathaniel have continued their journeys on the outside. The weigh-in was tense as always, with Meg amazingly keeping her Immunity with a great loss. Rebecca and Sarah were left below the yellow line, with the former being the next contestant voted out of Camp.

Episode 38

2011-04-06 • 41 min

After an ice cream truck pulled up at Camp Biggest Loser, contestants learnt that in this Temptation they had to decide whether to pass, or secretly try to consume the most calories to win Immunity. Joe and Leigh were the only two people to play, with Joe narrowly winning safe passage. Greg returned to the house for a week of training, although the old excuses soon made an appearance, and the Contestants went rock climbing. Finding various makeover items outside their rooms, the families soon understood what was ahead.

Episode 39

2011-04-07 • 41 min

The excited contestants were taken to the Ivy, where they were greeted by their hair and make-up experts. Tears were shed as the makeovers began, before the families were whisked off to complete the final stage of their new looks: the wardrobe. Once complete, the contestants headed onto the catwalk as their friends and family got to see the fruits of their incredible journeys.

Episode 40

2011-04-08 • 40 min

All three wowed the crowds as their revealed their new looks, although a shock was later in store as post-makeover Lara succumbed to a secret eating binge. After revealing this to Shannan, he helped her try to get her mindset back on track. Michelle once again struggled with Greg in training, and then the contestants were taken to the latest Challenge: Jacob's Ladder. A moving ladder suspended over a pool, the families had to keep climbing up the rungs or risk being flung into the water below. Leigh and Joe were the last people remaining.

Episode 41

2011-04-10 • 39 min

Joe won a 1kg advantage at weigh-in that he could either keep for himself, or give to another contestant. Hayley revealed that with their amazing efforts in the Challenge Leigh and Joe had broken a world record. Training was intense, with Greg giving a much better account of himself. At weigh-in, Joe revealed he would be giving the advantage to Kellie, and because of it she managed to just stay above the yellow line. Joe won the week’s Biggest Loser, while Lara and Meg faced Elimination. Lara became the latest contestant to leave Camp Biggest Loser.

Episode 42

2011-04-13 • 40 min

After a few tears at Lara's exit, the contestants were then shown videos of their old selves. It was an emotional moment, as each one realised just has far they'd come. Taken to the marina for a special training session, the contestants discovered they would be learning the ropes on a sailboat. After pouring every ounce of effort into the task, they were thrilled when Hayley announced the reason: they would be sailing from Sydney to Hobart.

Episode 43

2011-04-14 • 41 min

The contestants set out on the journey of a lifetime, sailing from Sydney to Hobart. The experience was an enlightening one for all, as each member of the crew set about washing away their troubles. Receiving letters from home, the contestants were given plenty of time to reflect, but also discovered the rigours not just of sailing, but dealing with Mother Nature. And as storms began to hit, they realised this would be arguably their most taxing challenge yet.

Episode 44

2011-04-15 • 40 min

After suffering a hard fall, Sharlene was taken below, leaving the others to battle against the elements. Once they arrived in Hobart, Hayley revealed the Super Challenge, to take place over multiple legs: kayak; climb, abseil, bike and run, ending with a knowledge test at the summit of Mount Wellington. Once there, contestants had to pick the lowest calorie dish off the table; the one left with the highest would be Eliminated.

Episode 45

2011-04-17 • 41 min

Once the contestants returned to Camp, they were put through a hard Last Chance Training. Particularly Leigh, who Shannan was urging to change his negative mindset. At weigh-in Joe took the week's Biggest Loser, while Sarah and Meg were below the yellow line. Meg was subsequently voted out, and said her goodbyes.

Episode 46

2011-04-20 • 42 min

Hayley reveals to the contestants that they all have immunity? so what's the catch? Meanwhile, the four trainers head out of Camp Biggest Loser for a second public weigh in.

Episode 47

2011-04-21 • 39 min

The four eliminated contestants with the highest weight loss percentage battle it out to secure their place back in the competition. How will the others react to their return?

Episode 48

2011-04-24 • 41 min

Dr Swan returns to Camp Biggest Loser to re-evaluate the contestants' bio age. Witness the amazing results as our families prove that, with a little hard work, you really can reverse the hands of time.

Episode 49

2011-04-25 • 42 min

The second round of the elimination challenge continued with Nathaniel and Joe competing to row to 1km first.The Final 6: revisited their Time Capsule Videos which gave them insight into just how far they had all come. The Final Contest of the year began. Last place would result in elimination.

Episode 50

2011-04-27 • 39 min

Dreams are made and reflections go deep for the remaining Biggest Loser contestants. The final Elimination Challenge ensues with a Tug-Of-War. The remaining contestants tried on their Dream Outfits, with their tears and smiles speaking louder than words. There was no time to rest, with a special hike up the Stockton Sand Dunes. Armed with backpacks, the contestants climbed the dunes and regained the weight they’d lost. This bore heavily on all of them, leaving a strong message of willpower to never return to that state again.

Episode 51

2011-04-28 • 41 min

Tonight, as part of the final week, the contestants get revenge - it's train the trainer time. Then, a special outdoor training session.

Episode 52

2011-05-01 • 39 min

Tonight, the final training session, and the final 4 is decided by the final weigh-in at camp Biggest Loser - who will miss out?

Episode 53

Finale

2011-05-02 • 87 min

Tonight, the winner is announced, both in the at-home and overall categories. Who has lost the most weight?