It’s the ultimate test of stamina, resilience and strength, which has landed many celebrities in hospital suffering from broken bones to burst breast implants.
But, as Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ Jason Fox takes on another life-threatening challenge for military charity SSAFA, he gave MailOnline an insight into what it really takes to survive the popular Channel 4 show.
For us feeble gym-dodging excuse artists, taking on a hike or a simple HIIT class is daunting enough, never mind battling the wilderness to survive as your body is pushed past its physical and mental breaking point.
Not only must celebrities try to survive in the unforgiving wilderness, but they also must endure soul-crushing challenges that involve physical fistfights, racing up mountains and being tear-gᴀssed.
So, what does it really take to survive such a brutal and threatening challenge?
Could YOU survive Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins? Here’s what happened when Jason Fox took us through the grueling training needed to prepare for the show
As Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ Jason Fox takes on another life-threatening challenge for military charity SSAFA, he gave MailOnline an insight into what it really takes to survive the popular Channel 4 show
As a woman who has avoided the gym like it will give me the plague and regularly enjoys a large glᴀss of red and a bowl of pasta, I dreaded just what Jason had in store for me
To uncover the reality behind the show, MailOnline went to Richmond Athletic Ground to join Jason and three fellow ex-military soldiers for some brutal training.
As a woman who has avoided the gym like it will give me the plague and regularly enjoys a large glᴀss of red and a bowl of pasta, I dreaded just what Jason had in store for me.
And I was right to be worried.
As I approached Jason, who was standing in front of a tractor tire, heavy weights and endless rows of steel lifting benches, my heart started to pound.
Already working up a sweat before I even put my trainers on, I knew I was in trouble as Harlequins Rugby legend, Mel Deane, bellowed from afar to get my gym kit on and start warming up.
Scoffing a suggested chocolate protein bar as I scrambled to get ready, I watched Jason, Brian Wood MC, former Marine sniper Aldo Kane and Karl Hinett- who is a survivor of the 2005 Iraq petrol bomb incident – snap into military drills.
Kicking it off with rounds of group sprints, explosive 75kg Hex Bar ᴅᴇᴀᴅlifts and Romanian ᴅᴇᴀᴅlifts, I knew I was in trouble.
For context, the last heavy item I lifted was a six-bottle case of wine – and that was hard enough.
As a woman who has avoided the gym like it will give me the plague and regularly enjoys a large glᴀss of red and a bowl of pasta, I dreaded just what Jason had in store for me
Kicking it off with rounds of group sprints, explosive 75kg Hex Bar ᴅᴇᴀᴅlifts and Romanian ᴅᴇᴀᴅlifts, I knew I was in trouble
Now, it was my turn to enter the field of endless suffering as I took on the bar, for what they dub as a ‘warm-up’
I was then commanded to run into the muddy field and flip a meter-thick tractor tire before dropping to the muddy, wet grᴀss for a push-up before box jumping onto the top
I then had to drop to the floor and bear crawl, with pace, for 15 meters while carrying 20kg
In case that wasn’t enough, I then carried a man, ᴅᴇᴀᴅ weight, for another 20 meters
It immediately followed up with mountain climbers and a round of tricep dibs while the military men showcased their strength and manually lifted the bar to a height for my exercise
This was repeated for three rounds
While I did not break any bones or need medical attention, my usual manicured hands were ripped apart and covered in mud
I can safely say I felt sick, exhausted and the reality of how unfit I truly was daunted on me
Now, it was my turn to enter the field of endless suffering as I took on the bar, for what they dub as a ‘warm-up’.
Read More Danielle Lloyd shares her painful bruises and ‘horrendous’ trench foot from Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins but insists it was ‘most amazing experience’
I was then commanded to run into the muddy field and flip a meter-thick tractor tire before dropping to the muddy, wet grᴀss for a push-up before box jumping onto the top.
I then had to drop to the floor and bear crawl, with pace, for 15 meters while carrying 20kg.
In case that wasn’t enough, I then carried a man, ᴅᴇᴀᴅ weight, for another 20 meters.
For a short respite, another man stepped in to carry me back, ᴅᴇᴀᴅ weight, to the start line.
It immediately followed up with mountain climbers and a round of tricep dibs while the military men showcased their strength and manually lifted the bar to a height for my exercise.
This was repeated for three rounds.
While I did not break any bones or need medical attention, my usual manicured hands were ripped apart and covered in mud.
I can safely say I felt sick, exhausted and the reality of how unfit I truly was daunted on me.
Would I dare to volunteer for SAS? No, I would not win, in fact I’m pretty sure I would be sent home after the first day and Jason would likely send me packing in disappointment.
Jason, Karl, Aldo and Brian set up the training as they prepared for their next life-threatening challenge.
The four former military men will complete a 500km journey across the Arctic using only their wits and survival instincts to stay alive.
Unsupported, the team will battle the elements to raise awareness around mental health for the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.
Project Fire and Ice was initiated by former Army soldier Karl.
When the team hit the ice in March, it will be 20 years on from Karl’s horrific and life-changing injuries following an attack on his Warrior tank in Iraq.
However, it’s not just the physical scars, but the mental battle that Karl had to overcome during his recovery.
Karl has therefore enlisted the support of three fellow veterans, who themselves have also lived through serious mental health challenges due to their experience in the military, to embark on a team challenge – coming with the aim of bringing greater awareness to mental health in the military.
The Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra will take place on snowmobile trails in Swedish Lapland, starting and finishing in the small town of Överkalix.
The 500km Ultra race is divided into two stages, the first of 185km, the second of 315km.
Would I dare to volunteer for SAS? No, I would not win, in fact I’m pretty sure I would be sent home after the first day and Jason would likely send me packing in disappointment
As the training session progressed I realised I was not properly kitted out and soon started removing my jumper, throwing up my hair and being less careful about getting muddy
Jason, Karl, Brian and Aldo (pictured L to R) set up the training as they prepared for their next life-threatening challenge
The four former military men will complete a 500km journey across the Arctic using only their wits and survival instincts to stay alive
Unsupported, the team will battle the elements to raise awareness around mental health for the Armed Forces charity SSAFA
Following these routes the team will cross twice into the Arctic circle – the land of the midnight sun.
The course can take up to two weeks to complete, by foot or on skis, and many don’t make it.
It is a test of extreme endurance set against the harsh beauty of snow-covered forests and icy lakes.
They aim to raise £100,000 for the charity. You can donate here.