There are plenty of climbing walls dotted around the capital, with many centres offering beginner courses for those looking to give the sport a go for the first time.

Many of these centres will primarily offer bouldering – a type of climbing done without a harness on a smaller wall – but if you want to mimic the climbing you’ll see at the Olympics then you’ll need to seek out somewhere with taller walls, like The Castle Climbing Centre in north London.

A two-week intro course at The Castle Climbing Centre – which will teach you how to climb safely using a harness and other equipment as well as some basic techniques – is £95 for two three-hour sessions.

Making its debut at the Paris Olympics this summer, breaking (or breakdancing) sees two athletes go head to head in a solo battle as they improvise to the beat and use a range of power moves such as windmills, the six-step and freezes. 

But before you dive into a head-to-head battle, you’ll need to learn the basics – and East London Dance is a great place to start.

Every Monday they offer breaking classes for dancers of all levels led by Bgirl SunSun & Bboy Lil’Tim of Grounded UK – a collective of dancers based in south London. Classes are £9 a session (although combo prices are offered at the start of each term) and take place at the studio’s purpose-built space in Stratford.

If you’re on the hunt for a sport that will test you mentally as well as physically, then archery could be exactly what you’re looking for. The aim of the game is to hit the target and score points, but it’s not as simple as it may sound. A combination of strength, accuracy and focus is needed to succeed. 

The good news is that archery is very beginner-friendly, and because all you need is a bow, some arrows and a target, there are plenty of places in London that offer this unique sport.

Archery Fit in Greenwich offers a tasting session for just £35 or a beginner’s archery course for £175 for six sessions. Both prices are inclusive of equipment, so all you need to do is turn up and get ready to aim.

The idea of starting boxing as a beginner can be intimidating, but there’s plenty to love about this cardio-heavy sport. On top of being a great workout, boxing can help to build strength and relieve stress. 

While first-timers may not want to dive straight into a one-on-one match, gyms like 12 x 3 offer plenty of beginner classes to help you hone your skills and prepare for a session in the ring.

You can try a series of two beginner classes at its Aldgate East gym for just £25 – ideal for getting a taste of the sport and seeing whether it’s for you.

If you’ve never got the chance to try fencing before (and let’s face it, it’s not the kind of sport you pick up down the park), then now’s as good a time as any to get stuck in. The equipment makes it look kind of complex, but the aim of the sport is simply to strike your opponent without getting hit yourself.

At Central London Fencing Club – based right in the heart of the city in Westminster – you can get a taste of the sport with a two-hour tasting session, which gives you an introduction to the fundamentals of fencing for £30 per person. All equipment is provided, so all you need to bring is suitable clothes, a bottle of water and a fighting spirit.