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Gladiator audition

  • 05-09-2008 09:42AM
    #1
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,095 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks. I don't know if you have seen it but Sky have relaunced "Gladiators". Well my wife and kids are mad about it and we always have a bit of banter - she says how sexy the Gladiators are, I say how easy it is and how well I would do. Well the last episode issued a call for applications for auditions. She called my bluff and - only semi-seriously - I applied. I did not expect to get a call; while I am fit I am almost 6' tall and weigh aroud 147lbs - not really contender material I thought.

    But they have invited me to an audtion on the 22nd of Sept :eek:

    Now thats not enough time to make major changes but I would like to build strength between now and then, esp upper body and core.

    In terms of where I am and what I do I am mainly a runner. I have completed 7 marathons in 3.5 yrs with a PB of 3:15. I run 6 - 7 days per week averaging 40 - 50 miles with long runs of between 15 - 22 miles once a week. I also cross train in martial arts for ~90mins once a week.

    I have endurance and cardio fitness but lack the upper body stuff. Anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance!

    (by the way if you want to apply there is a link from the main Sky website!)


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Comments

  • #2
    Roper
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,448 ✭✭✭Roper


    Crossfit FTW! www.crossfit.ie


  • #3
    g'em
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,819 ✭✭✭✭g'em


    Roper wrote: »
    Crossfit FTW! www.crossfit.ie
    Good call, I'd imagine that would be a great starting point to condition you for the various events in the show.


  • #4
    Roper
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,448 ✭✭✭Roper


    Also, could you imagine the ego boost to Reilly if someone who he trained won Gladiators? Actually hold on OP, don't go there!

    Seriously though, If I was going to compete in something various and intense, I would pick the crossfit protocol over anything else out there. Oh wait, I DO compete in something various and intense, and I DO pick the crossfit protocol over anything else!

    At the moment the kids in my gym are obsessed with Gladiators. One of them wants to be Spartan, whichever one he is and keeps posing like him.


  • #5
    g'em
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,819 ✭✭✭✭g'em


    Roper wrote: »
    Also, could you imagine the ego boost to Reilly if someone who he trained won Gladiators? Actually hold on OP, don't go there!
    LOL good point, he'd be unbearable (<3 O'Reilly really :p)
    Roper wrote:
    At the moment the kids in my gym are obsessed with Gladiators. One of them wants to be Spartan, whichever one he is and keeps posing like him.
    There are worse physical ideals to have...

    spartan.jpg


  • #6
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,445 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    g'em wrote: »
    LOL good point, he'd be unbearable (<3 O'Reilly really :p)


    There are worse physical ideals to have...

    GD6886302Undated_handout_image_2566.jpg

    Fixed that for you g'em. The celebrity edition was a great larf, apparently Wolf is making some sort of regular appearance in the show now too. As for some of the female Gladiators... hawt!

    Good luck with the training and the trial, keep us posted.


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  • #7
    c - 13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,584 ✭✭✭c - 13


    Fair play on getting throuh the first lot man !

    Have they told you the physical requirements to get in or anything ? I'm quite curious myself.

    There was a gladiator thread here recently where we found the old requiremnets and I was just wondering if they'd changed ?

    EDIT - Found the old thread - here

    Requierments I found were -
    Run 800m on a Treadmill
    Women to complete in 3 minutes, men have 2 mins 30 secs.

    2 minute rest then....

    Pull-Ups on the Rig
    With underhand grip, palms facing body, hang on straight arms. then pull up so that your chin is above the bar. Return to hanging with arms straight and hold for 5 seconds before repeating
    Women to repeat 5 times, men 10 times

    1 minute rest then....

    Overhead Monkey Ladder: 4.5m long, rope at end to climb.
    1 minute is given to complete this task.
    Women to climb the rope once, men twice.

    Rest as required....

    Pugil Sticks
    Face off against an opponent in a Pugil Stick fight main aim is to test for agression.


    That was the '97 entry criteria


  • #8
    jim o doom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,474 ✭✭✭jim o doom


    One thing I'd reccomend is one of those "chin-up" bars - I got one in Argos, but I'm sure they sell them in loads of fitness shops - if you're doing stuff in Gladiators it would be against your own body weight, so using a chin up bar regularily for different types of pull-ups I would say would be a major help! :)


  • #9
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,095 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    I've heard of Crossfit, don't have time to read up on it now but short, intense and varied workouts building speed and strength is my understanding? Sounds ideal! Thanks for that.

    The process for application is that you fill in an online form (here) that asks about your stats, training, sports history and some personal background (most daring thing you've ever done, most embarassing thing, etc). hey then pick people for auditions (5 hours, I think) which includes "extensive physical and fitness tests" and from there they pick contenders. At this stage I'm only at audition, so early doors. I've also found out that I have adtae clash on the audition (booked to be at a customer site) so the whole thing may be over before it starts :( )


  • #10
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,811 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    I'm 6' 1 roughly and 172lbs and I wouldn't even dream about contending on Gladiators, simply becuase I think I'd need about another 24lbs of weight/mass. Forgive me but I thought I was pretty light for my height how are you gonna well get conditioned for it. Fair play for trying never mind my negativity :pac:


  • #11
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,095 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    TBH I didn't expect to get called simply because I am so light, I'm built to run so slender is better. I've got limited time before the audition but should have more before the event itself (asuming I get thru, which I doubt)

    In terms of competing in the events I am quite quick and light, which is an advantage in some events (the one where you have to run across a bridge and teh one where you have to put the balls in the tubs). Martial arts has taught me strong stance and powerful hits (in relation to weight) which will help with the pugil sticks. Some events I simply won't have a hope (the one where you have to charge thru a chute with 3 gladiators trying to stop you for example). Main intention would be to stay in contact with my opponent until the eliminator. At that stage my light weight is an advantage (hand bike for example) as is my endurance & speed running training (pyramid and teh travelator thing).


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  • #12
    gabgab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,062 ✭✭✭gabgab


    Train crossfit, I have done it and its brilliant for what you will need it to do,

    Also Colm is good and will probably show you stuff tailored to your needs, he did it for me, it went like this:

    "tom...... here is a length of pipe"
    everyone else has weight Colm, even that kid over there.......
    "they are not weak like a baby......" then hilarious laughter from me and everyone else,

    Its a good class, you will enjoy them and get some good encouragement from the other lads and lassies at it,

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPWdf8cWPrY

    Have a look at this for example,


  • #13
    Mickk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Mickk


    Here is a video form this years american gladiators trials (bodybuilder chris cormier doing them!)


  • #14
    Colm_OReilly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,577 ✭✭✭Colm_OReilly


    Thanks for the plugs guys. I think some of the crew from CrossFit LA did trials for gladiators a while back. Can't find the vid/link atm but iirc they smoked the fitness test then fluffed the trial interviews, so maybe my ego might help you there as well? (eh, Barry? :D)

    Amadeus, let's make you strong, give me a shout on 086-8151092 and we'll sort something out.


  • #15
    Degsy
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,397 ✭✭✭✭Degsy


    They're vacuous bastards on television.You'd need to look pretty good as well as being fit.Its all right being slender but the TV-dinners crowd want a "hunk" or a "babe" they can cheer!


  • #16
    gabgab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,062 ✭✭✭gabgab


    Well that puts Colm out of entering :D:D but he can train Amadeus I'm sure,


  • #17
    Hanley
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    I know one of the guys that was on this years show. I'll see if I can get in contact with him and see what the trials invovled.


  • #18
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,747 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    CerebralCortex wrote: »
    I'm 6' 1 roughly and 172lbs and I wouldn't even dream about contending on Gladiators, simply becuase I think I'd need about another 24lbs of weight/mass. Forgive me but I thought I was pretty light for my height how are you gonna well get conditioned for it. Fair play for trying never mind my negativity :pac:
    Dunno about that, the contenders in both the new and old gladiators have not been particularly big. I'd say average would be around 12-12.5 stone i.e. your weight. There was one really small lad in the new series he was something like 8.5 stone @ 5 foot 6. The biggest contender in the new series was the guy Joel who lost in the final, he was 15 stone something.


  • #19
    Hanley
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    Anyone else wanna call foul and say they pick the smaller guys to put the stack in the gladiators favour?


  • #20
    loz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 667 ✭✭✭loz


    c - 13 wrote: »

    Requierments I found were -
    Run 800m on a Treadmill
    Women to complete in 3 minutes, men have 2 mins 30 secs.

    2 minute rest then....

    Pull-Ups on the Rig
    With underhand grip, palms facing body, hang on straight arms. then pull up so that your chin is above the bar. Return to hanging with arms straight and hold for 5 seconds before repeating
    Women to repeat 5 times, men 10 times

    1 minute rest then....

    Overhead Monkey Ladder: 4.5m long, rope at end to climb.
    1 minute is given to complete this task.
    Women to climb the rope once, men twice.

    Rest as required....

    Pugil Sticks
    Face off against an opponent in a Pugil Stick fight main aim is to test for agression.


    That was the '97 entry criteria

    Is that it ??

    Jez - Bobblins, I might try myself.

    Fit and fantastically goodlooking, should be a breeze.

    Loz


  • #21
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,747 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Anyone else wanna call foul and say they pick the smaller guys to put the stack in the gladiators favour?
    I have read this viewpoint on some UK weight training forums (may have been on muscletalk or uk.rec.bodybuilding) Lads were saying that they applied to be contenders on the new series but didn't get through. They were speculating that it was because they were too big and could embarrass the gladiators in the power events as well as making them look puny.

    From what I can see though the two most important parts of the new gladiators are
    -the cargo net
    -the handbike

    If someone could smoke both of these parts of the eliminator they'd have agreat chance of winning (IMO) even if they started many seconds behind an opponent who had done better against the gladiators.


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  • #22
    gabgab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,062 ✭✭✭gabgab


    Hanley wrote: »
    Anyone else wanna call foul and say they pick the smaller guys to put the stack in the gladiators favour?

    Yeh it always looks a bit unfair, I mean the games are set up at the gladiators advantage anyway, that one where you have to get to the top and they are stood in front of you,

    I would love to see someone make it to the top,
    loz wrote: »
    Is that it ??

    Jez - Bobblins, I might try myself.

    Fit and fantastically goodlooking, should be a breeze.

    Loz

    Brilliant attitude, should breeze through the interview part of it too, good man yourself :D


  • #23
    Hanley
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    I agree. When it comes to things like the gauntlet and duel a big guy could probably make them look very human. One thing that has always SERIOUSLY impressed me is Atlas on the rings. For a guy so big, he moves so well!!

    Tbh I don't see why more people don't start on the handbike and just fall off. It's only a 10 sec penalty and it normally takes most folk as long, if not longer to do it. Imagine the energy you'd save.

    I saw a 2 second clip of Predator doing it on the new vs old gladiator show and he RIPPED across it. It was easily the most impressive thing I've seen in the entire series. I missed the actual show but I'd love to see it. Must keep an eye out for it.


  • #24
    Hanley
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    gabgab wrote: »
    Yeh it always looks a bit unfair, I mean the games are set up at the gladiators advantage anyway, that one where you have to get to the top and they are stood in front of you,

    I would love to see someone make it to the top,


    They have a "scoring zone" on the US version. If you get both of your feet to within 3 steps (I think) of the top, you score 5.


  • #25
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,747 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Hanley wrote: »
    Tbh I don't see why more people don't start on the handbike and just fall off. It's only a 10 sec penalty and it normally takes most folk as long, if not longer to do it. Imagine the energy you'd save.

    I saw a 2 second clip of Predator doing it on the new vs old gladiator show and he RIPPED across it. It was easily the most impressive thing I've seen in the entire series. I missed the actual show but I'd love to see it. Must keep an eye out for it.
    Agreed on both points! But dammit, now you've gone and told everyone my handbike strategy!


  • #26
    Hanley
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    Agreed on both points! But dammit, now you've gone and told everyone my handbike strategy!

    I assume they've had people try it and put a rule in place to prevent it. It couldn't be THAT easy.

    Oh and apparently Atlas held onto the cotton reel all the way down on the eliminator too. I don't think I've ever seen ANYONE do that??

    They have a rope around it on the US version to make it easier.... AND they kept Dangerzone too. The US version's really so much better.


  • #27
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,747 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Hanley wrote: »
    I assume they've had people try it and put a rule in place to prevent it. It couldn't be THAT easy.

    Oh and apparently Atlas held onto the cotton reel all the way down on the eliminator too. I don't think I've ever seen ANYONE do that??

    They have a rope around it on the US version to make it easier.... AND they kept Dangerzone too. The US version's really so much better.
    The Legends vs new gladiators programme was really good, it has already been repeated a few times and may be repeated again, you should try to catch it. Atlas did hold on to the reel. The women legends were very good, the male legends were a little disappointing particularly Trojan who looked quite old and small and didn't perform very well. Hunter only did one event (Duel, he beat Spartan in it) and had his shoulders heavily strapped from old injuries apparently. Hunter in his heyday was a seriously impressive gladiator.


  • #28
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,445 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    gabgab wrote: »
    I would love to see someone make it to the top,

    I've seen a couple of contendors complete it, one male and at least one female.
    Hanley wrote: »
    Tbh I don't see why more people don't start on the handbike and just fall off. It's only a 10 sec penalty and it normally takes most folk as long, if not longer to do it. Imagine the energy you'd save.

    I saw a 2 second clip of Predator doing it on the new vs old gladiator show and he RIPPED across it. It was easily the most impressive thing I've seen in the entire series. I missed the actual show but I'd love to see it. Must keep an eye out for it.

    If you seen 2 seconds you seen the whole thing, it was unnatural how he moved across it. Very impressive. Check out youtube maybe.


  • #29
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,095 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    God I love the Interweb! Seriously big thanks. Colm I'll give you a call over the w/end, if that's ok?

    I wondered about the "handsome hunk" thing they ask for 2 phtos during the application - 1 is a "head and shoulders" and one full length in your traiing gear. Because I wasn't taking it sedriously my headshot was one taken by my 6yr old and the full length was from last years Cork marathon - believe me I don't look good running at the 18 or 20 mile mark... Doomed to fail on this I think :D

    Not sure about the bodybuilders not being picked argument. At the end of teh day it is entertainment, not sport so pre-selecting contendors for a David vs Goliath thing is understandable. That said there was one guy this series who played U21 rugby for England and he was very well built. If they are looking for a sub 2:30 800m thats pretty quick - equivalent to a sub 40 min 10k (here) which would put you in the top 10 - 15% of most local races. I can't see many really big guys being able to move that fast?

    And the Gladiators are quite impressive athletes. One is a current Royal Marine, at least one competed at the Olympics, several are national champions in various events (pentathlon, high jump, long jump, sprints and the like) so I'm not sure they would be "embarrassed" by big lads, unless the bodybuilders were also good allrounders.


  • #30
    gabgab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,062 ✭✭✭gabgab


    Very true regarding the run times,

    If you can do 10km in under 40 minutes, you are quick. Damn quick, put that with a fella that is big, especially on telly, he has endurance speed and with a stocky physique he will have the power to sprint too,


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  • #31
    BossArky
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 9,688 Mod ✭✭✭✭BossArky


    gabgab wrote: »
    Very true regarding the run times,

    If you can do 10km in under 40 minutes, you are quick.

    800m in 2mins 30 seconds is a 10km pace of ~31mins. Pretty quick alright. However it is just for 800m so may be a bit easier. New test for next treadmill session!

    Anyone know what speed the travelator goes at? I'd guesstimate 15kmph. It looks deceptively slow. However lots of people fail at this step. It must be fast enough if guys who can run 2:30 for 800m fail here.

    I always wonder why people don't dive head first into the water at the start of the eliminator to gain ground.


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