The Biggest Loser: Couples 4 is the eleventh season of the NBC reality television series entitled The Biggest Loser. The contestants competed to win a $250,000 prize, which was awarded to Olivia Ward, the contestant with the highest percentage of weight loss. It premiered on January 4, 2011. Along with existing trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, two new trainers will be featured who were revealed in Week 3. One of the featured contestants is Rulon Gardner, a former gold medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics. It was the longest season in Biggest Loser history at 20 weeks long. This season is the second, after Pay It Forward, to be filmed in high definition. This season marks the first time in USA Biggest Loser history that a contestant left the show by choice. As well, for the first time in The Biggest Loser history, a couple has made the finale together. And, for the first time in The Biggest Loser history, all 3 finalists are women.
Episode 1
Week 1
Jan 4, 2011
Eleven teams of two begin the competition in the Season 11 premiere. The players must choose whether to work out with Bob and Jillian or two new unknown trainers. Contestants who opt for the new trainers receive four weeks of immunity and work out in a location away from the ranch.
Episode 2
Week 2
Jan 11, 2011
The players compete for immunity, which is awarded to the group that loses the most weight. Elsewhere, Dr. Huizenga provides health assessments of the contestants, whose loved ones are also briefed; the players compete in a bridge-building challenge.
Episode 3
Week 3
Jan 18, 2011
The identities of the unknown trainers are revealed. Elsewhere, the players compete for a healthy meal prepared by Curtis Stone and a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in; Dr. Huizenga provides more health assessments; Bob and Jillian look for the roots of players' weight struggles; the winner of a water-carrying challenge receives the sole vote during elimination; and a team's weigh-in results surprise the trainers.
Episode 4
Week 4
Jan 25, 2011
The contestants must face their favorite foods during a temptation challenge. The winner chooses which group will work out with the new trainers. Later, the players compete in a calorie-counting challenge in order to win letters from home; Jillian puts Bob through a difficult yoga workout; and a player forms a strategy to send someone home
Episode 5
Week 5
Feb 1, 2011
The off-site contestants move to the ranch and face their first elimination. The ranch players, however, learn they'll be able to skip elimination if they combine to lose more than 48 pounds. Elsewhere, a player's weight-loss secret is exposed; and the teams compete in a challenge involving weights.
Episode 6
Week 6
Feb 8, 2011
A temptation challenge for Valentine's Day places the players in a room full of chocolate. The person who eats the most candy has the option to swap two players from each team. Later, the groups compete in a five-part relay race; Jillian goes horseback riding with a contestant; and a team receives videos from home.
Episode 7
Week 7
Feb 15, 2011
The teams compete for use of the gym during the week; the losing team must work out elsewhere. Also: A trainer tries to help a player open up; a challenge requires the teams to push a train 800 feet while attempting to answer food-based trivia questions; and a contestant reaches a milestone at the weigh-in.
Episode 8
Week 8
Feb 22, 2011
The teams learn two players will be eliminated this week, adding importance to a ball challenge that provides the winning team an advantage at the weigh-in. Elsewhere, Cara and Brett lead a workout at a mixed-martial-arts gym owned by Bas Rutten, while Bob and Jillian help their players push beyond their limits.
Episode 9
Week 9
Mar 1, 2011
The players go home for two weeks before returning to the ranch to run a 5K on treadmills. After completing the challenge, the players must once again choose which trainers they want to work with. A few contestants reach a milestone.
Episode 10
Week 10
Mar 8, 2011
The teams pick captains, and only two members from each team work out with the trainers. Elsewhere, a mud-pit challenge tests the players' balance; a pop challenge involves elaborate cakes; and some contestants discuss their problems with their trainers.
Episode 11
Week 11
Mar 15, 2011
The teams are consolidated and offered immunity if they are able to lose more weight than the previous week. Also: Curtis Stone and Lorena Garcia judge a low-calorie cooking test; the group field hidden trivia questions at a rock quarry; and Dr. Huizenga provides health updates for the players.
Episode 12
Week 12
Mar 22, 2011
An eliminated contestant returns and the players are split into four teams; the teams compete in a challenge involving ropes and weights; the weigh-in doesn't go the way one contestant expects.
Episode 13
Week 13
Mar 29, 2011
A team must leave the ranch and live on a limited budget after losing an egg-balancing challenge. Elsewhere, Bob's team visit an inner-city school to discuss fitness; the contestants participate in an Easter egg hunt, which includes 5000 eggs and a special golden egg; and a player reaches a milestone.
Episode 14
Week 14
Apr 5, 2011
The teams compete for a night out on the town during a pop challenge to estimate the length of a mile. The losers must clean the ranch. Elsewhere, another challenge finds the players racing to light up a board; the losing team receives no votes at elimination.
Episode 15
Week 15
Apr 12, 2011
The players go to New Zealand, where they face a series of challenges including climbing 51 flights of stairs, sky jumping and completing a 5K. Elsewhere, the group receive tips on eating well during a visit to a fish market and later sail around Auckland Harbor.
Episode 16
Week 16
Apr 19, 2011
The players try river surfing during a challenge, and the winner receives immunity and a helicopter ride. Elsewhere, the contestants begin competing as singles; a special visitor makes a surprise entrance; and the group go zip lining, rock climbing and bungee jumping.
Episode 17
Week 17
Apr 26, 2011
The players pull a car for a half mile with NASCAR's Clint Bowyer on hand for support. Former contestant Tara Costa also participates in the challenge. Later, Sam Poueu and Ali Vincent lead a gym workout and offer inspiration to the group.
Episode 18
Week 18 “Makeover Week”
May 3, 2011
The contestants receive Cinderella-themed makeovers with fashion guidance from Tim Gunn and new hairstyles from Ken Paves. The players then show off their new looks to friends and family at a castle, where the band OneRepublic perform. Elsewhere, the players search for two keys hidden in car-shaped sandcastles during a challenge.
Episode 19
Week 19
May 10, 2011
The trainers test the players to see what they've learned during their time at the ranch. The contestants have a chance to add to their scores by playing a "Biggest Loser" video game. Later, the players compete for an advantage at the weigh-in during a stair-building challenge utilizing weighted sandbags.
Episode 20
Week 20
May 17, 2011
The players carry the weight they've lost so far during a golf-themed challenge and receive support from Season 10 champ Patrick House. Elsewhere, two finalists are named; the gang prepare turkey burgers for kids in a cooking competition; and last-chance workouts are held.
Episode 21
Week 21
May 24, 2011
After viewer votes determine the third finalist, the winner of the $250,000 prize is crowned in the Season 11 finale. The eliminated players also return to weigh in for the $100,000 at-home prize