The BEST episodes of The Biggest Loser season 5

Every episode of The Biggest Loser season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Biggest Loser season 5!

The biggest winner is "The Biggest Loser" in this compelling new weight-loss reality drama in which two celebrity fitness trainers join with top health experts to help 12 overweight contestants transform their bodies, health and ultimately, their lives. Caroline Rhea hosts the unscripted, one-hour series in which two competing teams follow comprehensive diet and exercise plans to undergo radical physical makeovers. Unique physical challenges, surprising alliances and irresistible temptations make the competition even tougher for the contestants, who ultimately have to decide which player gets eliminated each week. In the end, "The Biggest Loser" becomes the biggest winner, walking away with a healthier body - and $250,000.

Last Updated: 4/26/2024Network: USA NetworkStatus: Ended
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They Got Fat Together, Can They Get Thin Together?
star
6.13
60 votes

#1 - They Got Fat Together, Can They Get Thin Together?

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/1/2008

For the first time ever, ten teams of two will compete against each other. The ten teams, including a mother and son, husband and wife, best friends, brothers, and a divorced couple, will have to pick their trainer, compete in challenges and weigh-in together. In their first week, the teams will have to pull a giant hot air balloon across a field, and the winner will receive a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in.

Surprise Escalator Challenge Changes the Game Forever
star
6.13
60 votes

#2 - Surprise Escalator Challenge Changes the Game Forever

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/29/2008

In this week's episode, one team retaliates after being called lazy by another team, and the willpower of the contestants is put to the test during a soda temptation. Then the game is changed forever - for trainers and contestants - after a dramatic escalator challenge.

Surprise Game-Changing Twist in Last Episode Before Live Finale
star
6.09
58 votes

#3 - Surprise Game-Changing Twist in Last Episode Before Live Finale

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/8/2008

In the last episode before the live finale, the final four contestants return from Australia without their trainers and attempt to train themselves for their last week on the ranch. Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito visits again to teach the contestants how to make healthy versions of their favorite dishes before heading home, and the final four all watch videos of their most memorable moments on campus. At the weigh-in, two of the four players fall below the yellow line, but there's one last surprising twist. For the first time ever in Biggest Loser history, America will determine who the third finalist will be by voting online on the two that fall below the yellow line. Who they choose to be a finalist - and who they choose to eliminate - will be revealed at the live finale on April 15.

Last Five Contestants Get Surprise Trip to Australia
star
6.07
56 votes

#4 - Last Five Contestants Get Surprise Trip to Australia

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/1/2008

Since The Biggest Loser is a global phenomenon, the last five players are surprised with a trip to the other side of the globe - Australia! Once there, they get a visit from The Biggest Loser: Australia winner, Adro, compete in a race around the city of Sydney, and climb the legendary Sydney Harbor Bridge. In the end, the final four players are determined by an emotional weigh-in and elimination.

Competition Heats Up With Only Six Contestants Left
star
6.07
57 votes

#5 - Competition Heats Up With Only Six Contestants Left

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/25/2008

Only six players are left, and the remaining women try to hold their own against the men who are still in the game. In a surprising pop quiz, one player wins a mysterious prize. And at this week's challenge, the players get the chance to sabotage one another by giving each other calories.

"Biggest Loser" Revealed in Season Finale
star
6.07
57 votes

#6 - "Biggest Loser" Revealed in Season Finale

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/15/2008

In this must-see, exciting live finale, all of The Biggest Loser contestants from this season return for a special reunion and a chance to weigh in one last time and show America how much weight they've all lost since beginning their weight-loss journeys. There are four contestants left, but America has voted on the two that fell below the yellow line in last week's episode to choose who will be the third finalist in the game. After America's vote is revealed and the third finalist is announced, the eliminated player will then weigh in with the other 16 eliminated contestants to compete for the $100,000 "at home" prize. Then it's the moment viewers have been waiting for, when one of the three finalists will be named this season's "Biggest Loser" and win the coveted grand prize of $250,000.

Contestants Reunited With Loved Ones
star
6.07
58 votes

#7 - Contestants Reunited With Loved Ones

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/19/2008

This week, the remaining contestants are sent home to see their loved ones for the first time since leaving to come to the ranch. But this is no vacation, as the contestants must eat and exercise without the help of their trainers and with all of the distractions and temptations of the real world. After returning to the ranch, the teams face off in a challenge that tests their endurance before an elimination round sends another player packing.

Special Guest Appearance by Jillian's Mom
star
6.05
56 votes

#8 - Special Guest Appearance by Jillian's Mom

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/12/2008

It's nearly the halfway point of the season, so the contestants celebrate the occasion with a challenge involving the total of their weight lost to date. Plus, they receive an inspirational visit from their doctor to assess their health advances. There's also a surprise guest trainer - Jillian Michaels' mom, a psychotherapist, who helps the contestants begin to understand the issues in their past that have contributed to their weight gain. Then another elimination round leads to a heartbreaking farewell, as one more player is sent home.

Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito Guest Stars
star
6.05
57 votes

#9 - Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito Guest Stars

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/5/2008

This week, the teams compete in a lively cook-off challenge, with celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito as the judge. The winning team gets a special dinner prepared by Rocco, plus a very desirable "surprise" from home. Also, one team faces a setback when one of their strongest players suffers an injury, and one of the contestants gets a surprise visitor. In the end, another player is sent packing.

Contestants Made Over by Fashion Guru Tim Gunn
star
6.05
57 votes

#10 - Contestants Made Over by Fashion Guru Tim Gunn

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/18/2008

It's makeover week, and legendary fashion maven Tim Gunn helps the contestants find flattering new clothing styles and haircuts. Then in this week's challenge, players must walk backwards on treadmills suspended above water - and two contestants battle it out for more than an hour.

One Team Surprised With Trip to Vegas
star
6.02
57 votes

#11 - One Team Surprised With Trip to Vegas

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/26/2008

The competition heats up as only eight players remain. One team is surprised with a special trip to Las Vegas, but will they maintain their diets and workouts in Sin City, or give in to temptation? Then, in a very emotional elimination, one unsuspecting player makes the ultimate sacrifice for their team.

Tensions Run High As This Week's Challenge Causes Rifts Among Players
star
6.02
59 votes

#12 - Tensions Run High As This Week's Challenge Causes Rifts Among Players

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/15/2008

A game of "Elimination," where the last team standing wins immunity for the week, causes rifts in the house, as the remaining eight teams get more competitive with each other. But Bob and Jillian are determined to work their teams harder in order to post more impressive numbers on the big scale at the weigh-in.

Contestants Tackle One of the Biggest Challenges in Show's History
star
6.00
56 votes

#13 - Contestants Tackle One of the Biggest Challenges in Show's History

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/4/2008

After revisiting the hospital to check in on their progress, the remaining players face off in one of the biggest challenges in "Biggest Loser" history -- they must fly across a ravine on zip-lines and collect flags. One player gets the chance to give immunity to himself or one of his teammates, and his decision ultimately affects his own fate. And a shocking announcement at the weigh-in changes the way the rest of the game will be played.

All Contestants Return to Ranch in Surprise Twist
star
5.96
57 votes

#14 - All Contestants Return to Ranch in Surprise Twist

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/11/2008

It's down to the six final contestants, but not for long. In a shocking twist, all fourteen of the players eliminated so far return to the ranch and surprise the six. At the weigh-in, the scale reveals how the eliminated contestants have done on their own at home, and the man and woman who have lost the most weight get to the return to the game.

One Outcast Duo Squares Off Against All the Rest
star
5.47
34 votes

#15 - One Outcast Duo Squares Off Against All the Rest

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/22/2008

It's win or go home after a surprise elimination pits one outcast duo against all of the others. At the challenge, contestants compete for a prize they all desperately need after nearly a month away from their loved ones - letters from home. Three teams plot to throw the weigh-in, then have a change of heart, but is it too late for them to turn back?

Contestants Face Barbecue Temptation and Giant Seesaw Challenge!
star
5.00
27 votes

#16 - Contestants Face Barbecue Temptation and Giant Seesaw Challenge!

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/8/2008

The remaining nine teams are shocked to learn that Bob and Jillian will be training them all together as one team. Afterwards, the contestants will be tempted with a delicious barbecue buffet, and the challenges continue to get harder when they are tasked with riding giant seesaws.