There are many different types of reality shows on television today, but one of the most exciting is competition based series. After all, you can almost put yourself in the shoes of those competing. Competition based reality shows include many different formats such as talent, physical skill, and mental ability.



If you are looking primarily for show that focuses on physical strength, check out American Gladiators. This show gives athletic competitors the chance to compete against each other in a grueling series of events. However, in addition to competing against each other, they also have to battle the gladiators ? a group of skilled athletes chosen by the show. At the end of the night, all competitors must race each other through the Eliminator. The winners face off until there are is only one male and one female winner ? both of whom get $100,000 and a new car.

If you love shows that require both mental and physical skills, you will love The Amazing Race. This competition pits two people teams against each other in a race around the world. Teams are often required to complete some sort of physical task to move from destination to destination. Those that cannot do as well on physical challenges can use their mental abilities to team up with other players to further themselves in the game. Survivor is another great competition show in which use both their physical and mental strength to survive. Contestants must battle the elements, hunger, and each other in difficult challenges. Following the premise ?outplay, outwit, and outlast,? players must walk a fine line of socializing, yet still use the others to their own advantage. While not as physically demanding as Survivor, Big Brother still requires physical skill as well as mental prowess. A group of individuals is locked in a house together with no contact with the outside world. They compete each week to win prizes and food. Houseguest must form alliances and use each other to remain in the house as long as possible, with the winner getting $500,000.

If you enjoy shows that focus on talent, you will love American Idol. American Idol auditions singers and while most are sent home, the top 12 males and top 12 females move on. Each week, the viewing audience votes for their favorite with the winner receiving a major recording contract. Like American Idol, Nashville Star is a singing reality competition, but it focuses solely on country music. The winner of this show also receives a recording contract with a major recording label. In addition, he or she is allowed to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole ? the dream of most country singers. If you prefer humor to singing, Last Comic Standing is the reality show for you. The top ten comedians go head to head until there is only one remaining. He or she receives a contract with NBC and a Comedy Central special. America's Got Talent is another competition based reality show, but unlike other shows, it is not limited to performers of a particular type. The show is open to all performers including magicians, dancers, acrobats, jugglers, and ventriloquists. The winner takes home a $1 million dollar payday.

Project Runway is competition based reality series in which fashion designers compete against each other. Each week, they are assigned a different challenge and their fate lies in the hands of the judges. One by one, the designers are eliminated until it is down to the final three. Those designers show at Bryant Park during Fashion Week. The winner receives $100,000 in cash to start his or her own design line, a spread in ELLE Magazine, a mentorship with a design firm, and a new automobile.

Hell's Kitchen takes chefs and pits them against each other in Chef Gordon Ramsay's kitchen. Chef Ramsay pushes them to their limits to perform not only well, but also quickly. Each week, two or more chefs are nominated to leave, with Chef Ramsay having the final say so as to who leaves. The winner is offered a dream job as head chef at a four star restaurant. In a similar competition, Top Chef is another reality show where chefs perform food challenges. The show features food professionals as judges who eliminate one chef each week. The winner taking home an editorial feature in Food & Wine Magazine, an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic, $100,000 in prize money, and a suite of Kenmore kitchen appliances.