Strong (TV series)


Strong is an American competition reality show that debuted on NBC on April 13, 2016 and airs on Thursdays at 8 p.m. It is hosted by former professional volleyball player Gabrielle Reece.

Premise

Strong features 20 contestants, which include 10 male trainers and 10 female trainees. The trainers work on helping their trainees improve their physical fitness, not only through losing weight but, according to the series, "achieving a balance between mind and body, and getting into shape both physically and mentally". In each episode, the team will train together and compete in physical challenges involving a wide range of disciplines and activities, including mixed martial arts, strength and endurance training, and boxing. After a series of challenges, two teams will face each other in a physical competition in the Elimination Tower, with the losing team being eliminated from the series. The winning team will receive a cash prize of up to $500,000, depending on their overall performance in the show.

Contestants

The season one contestants for Strong include:

Trainers

Team Medallions

Production

Executive producers for Strong include Dave Broome, creator of the competition reality series The Biggest Loser and Holly Wofford, a producer with the sports competition show American Ninja Warrior. Other executive producers include Sylvester Stallone and Kevin King-Templeton, both of whom also collaborated on the sports drama film Creed. The series is being produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with 25/7 Productions.
Paul Telegdy, NBC president of alternative and late-night programming, said American Ninja Warrior prompted interest in Strong, and that pitches for shows were considered around the question: "If there was a show that would get people ready to be a contestant on American Ninja Warrior, what would it be?" Host Gabrielle Reece said the show's physical challenges are a "high level of difficulty" and said of the series: "I think it has a really human quality to it. The cast's stories are stories that everyone can relate to."
The show debuted with back-to-back episodes during a sneak preview on April 13, 2016, before the show moves into its regular timeslot of Thursday at 8 p.m. The sneak preview followed a live episode of the NBC musical competition series The Voice. It precedes The Blacklist in the NBC schedule. Strong is the third show to air in NBC's Thursday 8 p.m. timeslot this season, along with Heroes Reborn and You, Me and the Apocalypse. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the title Strong is an acronym for "Start to Realize Our Natural Greatness".

Episodes