Olivia Ward

Two new trainers and a compelling new twist deliver a game-changing season like nothing viewers have seen before when season 11 premieres with twenty-two contestants -- eleven family and friend teams of two. After the first challenge, contestants are given the unprecedented opportunity to choose whether to work out with trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels at the ranch - or work out at a secret location with two unknown trainers and get four weeks of immunity. What ensues is a riveting ride of intense emotions, surprising turns and "can't miss" moments as the two groups fight their weight loss battles separately with two sets of trainers equally committed to giving these players a new lease on a healthier life. The contestants include an Olympic gold medalist, identical twin policemen, a pastor who wants to spare his overweight son from the challenges he faced because of obesity, and a woman who has lost pregnancies because of her weight and wants more than anything to be a mother. Alison Sweeney hosts the series.

The nine remaining contestants arrive in New Zealand and embark on the adventure of a lifetime, starting with a visit to Sky Harbor, a popular tourist attraction known for its breathtaking views. Awaiting them are 51 flights of stairs to climb followed by the adrenaline rush of sky-jumping for contestants and trainers. Then it's on to a 5K challenge New Zealand-style, with the winning team getting an unforgettable helicopter ride to gorgeous Waiheke Island. The trainers take contestants to the Auckland Fish Market, where they talk about eating healthy while travelling abroad, and Jillian has a lively lobster encounter. Later, the contestants charter an American Cup racing boat to sail around Auckland Harbor, and one player with a special connection to New Zealand gets a very generous gift. Alison Sweeney hosts the series, and trainers Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel also star.

This week kicks off with host Alison Sweeney issuing a challenge to the ranch-based contestants: if they have a higher percentage of weight loss than the "unknowns" -- the contestants working out with the two new mystery trainers -- they'll all have immunity this week. The "unknowns" fuel the competitive spirit by delivering messages and surprises to the contestants at the ranch reminding them just how tough their competition really is. Then Dr. Huizenga gives sobering news to contestants about their health risks and their real ages vs. their chronological ages, but this time, loved ones from home are involved to really help drive the message home. Later, the ranch contestants' ability to work together as a team is tested when they try to beat the time of the unknowns in a wild bridge-building challenge using rafts. Then a tense weigh-in reveals whether the ranch contestants are safe from elimination, or whether they'll be sending another player home.

The two teams of contestants are all tied up this week -- literally -- in a rope challenge in which teamwork will determine which group of players will get to use the gym this week, and which team will have to be creative and find other places at the ranch to work out. One trainer moves into the house to try and get a contestant to open up, and later, one team wins the chance to block someone's weight on the scale at a wild physical and mental challenge that finds them pushing a train 800 feet while answering food fact questions along the way. Then one player reaches a milestone at the weigh-in before another contestant is eliminated and sent home. Alison Sweeney is the host, and Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel are the trainers.

After four long weeks, the "unknowns" move to the ranch and are reunited with the other contestants, who get to meet the new trainers for the first time. Host Alison Sweeney explains that the ranch contestants will be safe this week if they collectively lose more than 48 pounds, but for the "unknowns," they will be facing their first elimination all season. And both teams only get to see their trainers once this week. The "unknowns" experience some surprises while settling into their new home, and a secret is revealed about how one contestant has lost so much weight. A challenge involving weights shows which team stacks up to be the best, and later, everyone weighs in and finds out whether one or two players will be going home.

A ball challenge that turns out to be much harder than it looks gives the winning team a big advantage at this week’s weigh-in, which is especially valuable given that both a red line and a yellow line will result in two players going home. Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels try to teach their contestants to push beyond the limits they’ve set for themselves, while trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel take their team for an intense workout at a Mixed Martial Arts gym owned by contestant Rulon Gardner’s former trainer, retired UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten. Then a weigh-in filled with surprises is followed by two contestants leaving the ranch. Alison Sweeney hosts the series.