The teams pull trucks and load crates onto the vehicles for a challenge that ends with a puzzle. Later, the contestants work eight-hour shifts at the food bank and must learn to fit workout sessions into their schedules.
The contestants are split into two teams by a temptation-challenge winner, whose choices come under fire from other players. Elsewhere, Dr. Huizenga assesses the players' progress after seven weeks on the ranch, and a rooftop challenge yields a prize from home
The players travel to Colorado to train like Olympic athletes with help from real Olympians Julia Mancuso, Jeret Peterson, J.R. Celski, Rockne Brubaker, Allison Jones and Kelly Underkofler. Also: The teams are dissolved, leaving the contestants to compete individually.
This week, contestants are surprised by the return of the blue and yellow teams, who were sent home after the first challenge of the season. Now they’re back, 30 days later, to weigh in and try to earn a spot back on the ranch. Then a vigorous football challenge tests everyone’s stamina, except for one player sidelined with medical issues, and provides immunity for the winner – but a big disadvantage for the losing team. Later, after another elimination round sends a player home, host Alison Sweeney surprises the contestants with exciting news
The players compete for immunity during a surprise challenge. The winning team also has the chance to influence the weigh-in for three other groups. Later, the trainers are dismayed by one team's game-playing tactics, and the contestants take part in a lifting challenge.
The teams are split up into teachers and students. The teachers work out with Bob and Jillian and then must instruct the students on what they've learned from the trainers. Elsewhere, a player considers leaving the ranch after a conflict with Bob and Jillian; and the weigh-in turns tense when accusations begin to fly.
The contestants receive medical evaluations from Dr. Huizenga, who gives each team a task to illustrate the effects of their poor health. Later, the players compete in a balance challenge over a pool and Jillian urges a contestant to confront her fears
Season 9 kicks off with 22 new contestants, the show's heaviest cast yet, who compete in family teams of two. Before arriving at the ranch, the players must step on the scale in front of family and friends in their hometowns. Later, during their first day on campus, the players endure a strenuous bike challenge
The winner of the $250,000 grand prize is revealed in the eighth-season finale. Also: The eliminated players return for a final weigh-in and compete for the at-home $100,000 prize; and the third finalist chosen by viewers is announced.