Best UK Fitness Challenges 2020
Looking for some of the best fitness challenges to get stuck into in 2020? If so, you’ve come to the right place…
The turn of the year is the perfect time to start a new fitness challenge. Many New Year’s Resolutions are based upon losing weight or getting fitter, and aiming to complete a fitness challenge is the ideal method for achieving this type of goal. Some choose to sign-up to a gym and go sporadically, but after a while it becomes a tedious chore that you’re likely to lose motivation for and quickly discard.
Instead, we highly recommend taking part in a fitness challenge. It’s a much more effective way for sticking to your workout resolutions as they provide an incentive for you to continue to exercise and also provide a sense of accomplishment once you complete it.
So to give you some fitness inspiration, here we’ve explained some of the most enjoyable yet difficult fitness challenges that you can get stuck into this year. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned athlete or are jumping into the world of fitness for the first time, there’s a vast variety of challenges outlined so you’re sure to find something suited to you.
Virtual Challenge
We may be slightly biased, but at Race at your Pace we think the best way to get into shape is to take on a virtual challenge. These unique challenges task you to either run, walk, cycle or swim a specified number of miles over the course of a month at whatever pace you desire. You can cover the distance wherever you like, whenever you like and in however many stints you require, so can be adapted to suit your capabilities and preferences.
From the 2-mile challenge to the 200-mile challenge, a wide range of distances are available to enter, enabling people of all abilities and experience to participate. Once you complete one challenge, why not continue to push yourself and sign-up to a challenge of further distance next month? And if the satisfaction of completing a virtual challenge isn’t enough, you’ll also receive a prestigious medal as recognition for your hard work and determination!
Find out more about virtual challenges >
Sign-up to a virtual challenge >
Great North Swim
If you have a passion for swimming, then this one’s definitely for you. The Great North Swim is Europe’s biggest open water swimming event and sees around 10,000 swimmers dive into Lake Windermere (England’s largest lake) in the Lake District.
From 250 metres to 10k, you’ll be able to pick the distance most suited to you, allowing people of all levels and experience to join in the fun.
Be aware though, this challenge can be cold. Really cold!
30 Day Fitness Challenge
Another popular option for people wanting to lose weight and become healthier is to complete a 30 day fitness challenge. They only take around half an hour per day to complete and remove the need to buy a gym membership, so can be the perfect introduction into fitness for beginners.
These challenges are particularly beneficial because they encourage you to stay active every day, rather than once or twice a week. Each day gradually becomes more difficult, so you’re constantly increasing your body’s capabilities. The 30 day ab challenge for example, has you completing 15 situps, 5 crunches, 5 leg raises and a 10 second plank on day one. But by the 30th day, you’ll be doing 125 situps, 200 crunches, 65 leg raises and a 120 second plank!
You’ll be able to find hundreds of 30-day challenges online, but here are a few popular examples –
- 30 day squat challenge
- 30 day plank challenge
- 30 day burpee challenge.
100 Day Fitness Challenge
If you’re wanting to take on a long-term challenge, then something that might appeal to you is the 100 fitness day challenge. The rules are pretty simple: you need to do something active every day. It doesn’t have to be the same thing each day, and you can do it whenever’s convenient for you, you just need to be exercising in some form or another.
On some days you might even have your exercise planned. For example, if you play badminton every Wednesday night, then this counts as your daily activity, or if you frequently play 5-a-side, this also counts.
On the days you don’t normally spend exercising, you’ll need to think of something else to do. Perhaps 50 burpees, a 2K run, 10K cycle or spend 20 minutes on the cross trainer – it can be whatever you like. It’s a flexible challenge and can be easily shaped to suit your requirements.
Coast to Coast Cycle
If you’re most comfortable on two wheels, a challenge that might appeal to you is to cycle from one coast of the UK to another. It packs fun, scenery and adventure into one weekend and can be as straightforward or as challenging as you make it. You can stop off at villages and towns along the way to break up the miles, or aim to complete the entire distance in one day, it’s completely up to you.
View more UK Cycling Challenges & Rides
Get Started with Race at your Pace
Here at Race at your Pace, we’re passionate about helping people enjoy exercising, which is why we created our awesome and unique virtual challenges. Every month we run running, walking, cycling and swimming challenges of varying difficulties, enabling people of all ages and abilities to participate. Our challenges are extremely popular and favoured by beginners and experienced athletes alike.
See more: How to Keep to Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions
