The Biggest Loser Episode 16.01 Opening Day

The Biggest Loser is back, and Season 16 is all about Glory Days. Twenty former athletes, including a two-time Super Bowl champion, a tennis legend and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, have come to the ranch to lose weight and regain their glory.

The contestants arrive at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where they are shocked to find they will be working with two new trainers, Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom, as well as veteran trainer Dolvett Quince. The first weigh-in is emotional for a number of the contestants, but it reminds them of why they have embarked upon this journey - to get healthy for themselves and their families.

This week's theme is Opening Day, and not only do the trainers have the opportunity to assess the contestants, but the contestants get to see what the new trainers are all about. At the first workout, the trainers work out the contestants at different stations, tapping into their inner athletes and seeing what they're made of. It's a humbling experience for the contestants, as for many of them, the last time they hit the gym, they were at the top of their game. JJ, a former college football star, seems to struggle the most, and collapses on the treadmill, unable to continue his workout.

At the first challenge, both the contestants and the trainers are put to the test. The contestants must compete in a volleyball-inspired obstacle course while pushing a giant ball up a steep sand dune. At the finish line, each trainer has a volleyball court with spots for six balls each. When the contestants reach the finish line, they must roll their ball into the court of the trainer with whom they want to work, dividing into three teams of six. The two people who finish last will be eliminated and forced to leave the ranch.

Former NFL star Scott quickly takes the lead, flying up the dune to join Dolvett's Red Team. Rondalee finishes second and chooses Jen's White Team, followed by Lori, who becomes the first member of Jessie's Blue Team. While the teams are filling up fast, it's an uphill battle for the last three contestants. Chandra is in last place, but she gets a second chance when Vanessa is sidelined by a pulled leg muscle. Meanwhile, former tennis champ Zina struggles with the last few feet and collapses just steps away from the finish line. This drives Chandra to dig deep, and with the support of her castmates, she makes it up the hill to take the last spot on the Blue Team, thus eliminating Zina and Vanessa from the ranch.

But it's not over yet for these two! In a surprise twist, veteran trainer Bob Harper ambushes the women on their ride to the airport, announcing that their journey isn't over yet. He brings the ladies to Comeback Canyon, a place of redemption, where they will continue their training. At the end of each week, a weigh-in will determine who gets to stay another week, and who goes home for good. Eventually, Bob will return to the ranch with his comeback contestant, who still has a chance to be a finalist.

Back at the ranch, it's time for the Last-Chance Workout, where former NFLer Damien nearly reaches his breaking point when Jessie has him push over 500 pounds on a sled across the room. But this Super Bowl champion has a lot more fight left in him, and he finishes strong.

At the first ever Comeback Canyon weigh-in, it's the WNBA vs. Wimbledon, as Vanessa, the former WNBA center, takes on Zina, the former tennis Olympian. When they step on the scale, Vanessa's 14-pound weight loss trumps Zina's eight, and Zina is sent home for good.

At the ranch weigh-in, the trainers agree that the former athletes have truly raised the bar this season, working out at a whole other level than past contestants. The White Team is up first and makes Jen proud, losing a solid 104 pounds, 5.01% of their combined weight. The Red Team is concerned, as their team member Mike has been limited to exercising in the pool after injuring his knee earlier in the week. But the former football and wrestling star proves he's in it to win by losing a whopping 38 pounds, leading his team to a victorious 138-pound weight loss (6.63%).

That means the Blue Team, who loses a meager 59 pounds (3.27%), must eliminate one of its own. While Damien and Chandra each get votes, it's Andrea who is sent to Comeback Canyon to take on Vanessa next week.