Ready for a challenge? – in pictures

If you want to take a leaf out of James Cracknell’s book, you could devise a unique challenge at a local landmark. Cracknell turned the EDF Energy London Eye into a revolving endurance challenge on national motivation day – why not come up with your own version of this amazing adventure? Photograph: Matrixpictures.co.uk

If you don’t think your local, indoor pool presents enough of a challenge, why not sign up for an open-water swimming event? You’ll need to practise in a well-fitted wetsuit, which will protect you against hypothermia and help your swimming due to the buoyancy of the suit. Photograph: Wesley Hitt/Photographer's Choice/RF

Not for the faint-hearted, a triathlon event combines swimming, cycling and running. But you don’t have to be as fit as the sensational (Olympic medal-winning) Brownlee brothers to give this trio of trials a go: in a sprint triathlon, you’ll swim 750 metres (just under half a mile), cycle 20km (12.5 miles) and run 5km (3 miles). Easy peasy. Photograph: Hero Images/Lifesize

Bootcamps are the new boutique hotels. On this mini break with a Private Benjamin twist, you’ll bond with others as well as being put through your paces. Bootcamps are dotted across the UK – from Sherwood Forest to Suffolk, Somerset to the Scottish Highlands – or travel farther afield and complete a bootcamp challenge in the Italian Dolomites, on the Côte d'Azur or in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains. Photograph: Philip Lee Harvey/Taxi

If you fancy a family-friendly challenge, try putting on a traditional-style sports day for your nearest and dearest. If you have a big enough garden, great – if not, get down to the local park, common or playing field armed with space hoppers, hula hoops, plenty of sacks and the obligatory eggs and spoons. Photograph: Corbis

Thanks to the likes of Go Ape and Ariel Extreme, obstacle courses have got a lot more interesting of late. You’ll find yourself swinging through the trees, negotiating treetop crossings and whizzing down zipwires. Check in advance, but most UK courses offer a junior version for younger challengers. Photograph: Florenca Delva/Workbook Stock

A run is a classic challenge – and you can start your training any time of year, any day of the week. Don’t push yourself too hard – warm up well, walk briskly at first, and only run if you feel comfortable. Start with small goals, like running half a mile, and build up your distance gradually. Most organised running events offer training schedules that you can follow too. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Cycling is another great sport for all ages and abilities. Try completing a course in a target time, or set your sights on achieving a distance. Like running, cycling events take place around the year and, as this is such a social sport, local cyclists training for the same challenge together could become friends for life. Photograph: John Curtis/Rex Features