This one's for everyone who's bored with their workout routine...

By NATALIA HAWK

In what may have been the poor choice to beat all poor choices, I signed up for not one but TWO extreme fitness events this week.

You might have already done an extreme fitness event. They’re taking over the fitness landscape, with every other person currently training for something that involves not only running, but also a whole lot of obstacles. Think: mud and things that electrocute you. Yep.

You have to be fit enough to handle extreme conditions and you have to be very prepared for your body to be absolutely destroyed. But at the same time – they’re a great incentive to train and you do most of the events as part of a team. So at the end of the day, you might be ruined but you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment – and you will have had a great laugh along the way.

So here’s my guide to some of the fitness events coming up – what to expect and how to train for them.

1. Tough Mudder

What is it? Tough Mudder is the original and the most well-known extreme fitness event. It’s an obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces, and consists of about twenty obstacles spread out over about 20km, all of which are designed to kill you challenge you.

Think: giant baths full of ice to swim through, mountains of hay bales to scale, great big walls to climb, tyres to drag, logs to carry… and a forest of electrical wires to battle your way through. Oh, and there are also monkey bars. Which they butter.

You’re highly encouraged to do it with a team, so that you can all help each other through the obstacles. Plus you all get to join the party at the end of the course and drink a beer (included with the ticket price).

Where? Tough Mudder events are held regularly all over Australia – check out their site for further details.

Training? Their website has boot camps available for download which basically run you through a bunch of exercises to do to prepare yourself. Burpees, push-ups, skipping, ski jumps and lunges are just some of the things on the boot camp menu.

Remember: At the end of the day, it’s all in good fun. Don’t take it too seriously and don’t stress yourself out when you get stuck in the middle of a hay bale and need someone to pull you out.

2. The Mud Run

What is it? The Mud Run is a 7km fun-run that is also the grubbiest experience you’ll ever have – because it takes place entirely through mud-pits and bog-holes. The great thing about it is that it’s kid-friendly – kids aged 5-10 can participate in their own mini Mud Dash which is only a km long.

Where? At the moment it’s only in Sydney in November – hopefully extending out to further locations soon.

Training? You’re highly encouraged to train up, especially if you’re not a regular runner. But the event isn’t timed, so you can compete it in your own time – so don’t worry if you’re not in peak mud-pit-fighting condition.

Remember: You’ll need some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Very dirty. Pull out the old t-shirts…

3. The Stampede

What is it? The Stampede is a nation-wide, slightly less intense version of Tough Mudder. You can pick from a 5km and 10km course and take part in a bunch of obstacles with a team. They emphasise that it’s not a race – just a way to really challenge yourself and your friends/work mates/family/gym group/whatever. Oh, and there’s a mini 2km version for kids too.

Where? Throughout Australia for the rest of 2013 and into 2014.

Training? Their site has a pre-Stampede workout to do which combines running and circuits to get a full-body workout that will prepare you adequately.

Remember: To attend the after-party. Apparently it goes off.

4. The Kathmandu Urban

What is it?  The Kathmandu Urban is like the Amazing Race – but a non-televised edition and there’s no Phil at an ashram in India telling you that you’re been eliminated. It’s for all skill/fitness levels and you have to complete a certain amount of checkpoints with your buddy in order to complete the race. Kids can take part too.

Where? Sydney CBD in November and Perth CBD in July 2014.

Training? While speed will help, some of the challenges in this one need brainpower rather than muscle – so it’s not all about how fast you can run.

Remember: You’ll get a map and a clue sheet to navigate your way through the city. Most. Fun. Ever.

5. The Tough Bloke Challenge

What is it? Contrary to what it seems, the Tough Bloke Challenge is not just for men. Women are entirely welcome to participate too. They refer to it as a “hellish assault course” and, with 20km of running and a bunch of obstacles, like a wall of tyres and an underground maze of concrete pipes.

Where? Melbourne in March 2014 and Sydney in June 2014.

Training? Necessary. Big-time.

Remember: You will gain excellent bragging rights if you complete the course.

6. The Electric Run 

What is it? Okay, so there’s nothing particularly extreme about the Electric Run besides the assault to the senses. But it looks like SO MUCH fun.

It’s a 5km event that’s filled with light and music so that you can make your way through a bunch of different lands featuring glowing trees, neon arches, coloured fountains and lit-up buildings.

Where? National – details coming soon for every capital city except Sydney. The Sydney event is in November.

Training? You can walk, dance or run this one – up to you how much training you do.

Remember:  You’ll get a shirt, a LED bracelet and a glow necklace and sunglasses so that you match the environment.