# Biggest Loser - Season 16 battle of the ex Athletes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-loser-season-16-battle-of-the-ex-athletes/695086 "2014-08-08T03:35:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-loser-season-16-battle-of-the-ex-athletes/695086/1 "2014-08-08T03:35:30Z")
I lost interest in Biggest Loser almost three years ago. I think NBC has wooed me back for just one more season. The ex athletes were always my favorite contestants. It’s interesting to see how quickly their bodies can regain its natural athleticism. It’s like the muscles just want to work in coordination with each other no matter how much blubber is on the outside. 😛 It’s why in the typical season the ex athletes are usually the frontrunners. They know how to follow a disciplined exercise routine and the weight just melts away. The only issue I foresee this season is injuries. A lot of ex pros retired with various nagging joint and tendon problems. Often the cause for their retirement in the first place. Biggest Loser is known for over the top, dangerous and extreme exercise. Especially on the treadmill. It’s one of the reasons I quit watching three years ago. The last straw was a 400 lb guy running flat out on the treadmill with the trainer screaming at him. I was holding my breath and praying that the guy didn’t trip and shatter a leg or hip. That’s just not safe. 400 lbs flying off a speeding treadmill and hitting the floor isn’t going to end well. Anyway, these athletes know how to train and how hard to push themselves. I don’t think they’ll let some hyperactive tv trainer push them into anything dangerous or risky. These guys have been screamed at by the best coaches in the world. It won’t phase them. We probably will see some recurrences of old sports injuries. I like the 2nd chance option too with Bob training the eliminated players. The list of contestants is in the article. > **['Biggest Loser' Season 16 news: New cast, a new role for Bob Harper](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-16-cast-20140806-story.html#page=1)** > > "The Biggest Loser" aims to put a controversial season in the rear-view mirror as it announced its Season 16 cast Wednesday featuring 20 former athletes who've let their fitness levels slide -- and a new gig for trainer Bob Harper. > [@](#): > > it announced its Season 16 cast Wednesday featuring 20 former athletes who’ve let their fitness levels slide – and a new gig for trainer Bob Harper. > > The theme for the new season will be “Glory Days,” and the cast will include former NFL players, Olympic gold medalists and standout high school and college athletes whose health took a hit since they left the sports arena. Among them: Former tennis star Zina Garrison, NFL players Scott Mitchell and Damien Woody, and former WNBA pro Vanessa Hayden. > > There will also be two new trainers: Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom. Trainer Dolvett Quince is returning, along with host Alison Sweeney. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-loser-season-16-battle-of-the-ex-athletes/695086/2 "2014-08-08T03:50:33Z")
Some of those weights blew my mind! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-loser-season-16-battle-of-the-ex-athletes/695086/3 "2014-08-08T04:16:38Z")
Yeah, there’s some wide loads in the cast. I think three or four over 400 lbs? They’ll go through a lot of Icy Hot and Bengay for sure. I remember way back in season 5they had a former Alabama lineman Roger Shultz that was almost 400 lbs. He was about 203 lbs in the final weigh-in. Amazing transformation. He said that was the smallest he’d ever been since Junior High school. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-loser-season-16-battle-of-the-ex-athletes/695086/4 "2014-09-12T00:19:03Z")
It’s on right now. I’m surprised to see it on Thursday, but it looks like this cast of former athletes will be very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-loser-season-16-battle-of-the-ex-athletes/695086/5 "2014-09-12T02:52:38Z")
Pretty good start. Not much has changed since I quit watching a few years ago. I channel hopped some to get a break from the unrelenting schmaltz and boo hoo emotions. I always find it odd how they make a big deal out of saying this is these people’s last chance. They must succeed at changing their life! Then announce a double elimination. 😛 Like the show really cares about helping these people. I fast forwarding through the weigh-ins and other boring filler. Out of two hours there’s really only about 45 minutes worth watching. It’s a good show to record and watch later.