The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
Free tracker included with every download this week
Does Pilates Help With Weight Loss?
Pilates can support weight loss as part of a balanced fitness routine, but it's not a quick-fix solution on its own. Pilates builds lean muscle, improves posture, and increases core strength — all of which support long-term health and metabolism. For meaningful weight loss in the UK, the NHS recommends combining any exercise with a calorie deficit through diet. While pilates burns calories and has mental health benefits, cardiovascular exercise and strength training typically burn more calories per session. The most effective approach combines exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
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Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
How Pilates Supports Weight Loss
Pilates is a low-impact exercise that strengthens core muscles, improves flexibility, and enhances body awareness — all valuable for long-term weight management. Research shows that regular pilates can increase lean muscle mass, which supports metabolic rate over time. A typical pilates session burns approximately 175–225 calories depending on intensity and body weight, though this varies significantly between individuals.
- Builds lean muscle: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, supporting sustainable weight loss
- Improves posture and alignment: Better posture can reduce back pain and increase confidence during other exercise
- Low-impact option: Suitable for people with joint issues who struggle with high-impact cardio
- Complements other exercise: Works well alongside walking, running, or swimming for balanced fitness
However, pilates alone rarely creates the calorie deficit needed for weight loss. The NHS recommends combining exercise with a reduced-calorie diet for weight management in the UK.
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Pilates vs. Other Exercise for Weight Loss
For weight loss specifically, cardiovascular exercise typically burns more calories per session than pilates. A 30-minute jog burns roughly 300–400 calories, while 30 minutes of moderate-intensity pilates burns 150–200 calories. That said, pilates offers unique benefits: it's sustainable, reduces injury risk, and builds strength that supports other activities.
The most effective weight management approach combines regular exercise with nutritional changes. If you're managing weight in the UK, use our free BMI calculator to understand your current health status, and try our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore all available options. For sustainable results, the NHS recommends a calorie deficit of approximately 500 kcal per day, combining diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Pilates fits well into this plan — but shouldn't replace cardiovascular activity or dietary adjustments.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
How many calories does pilates burn per session?
A typical 30-minute pilates session burns approximately 150–225 calories, depending on intensity, body weight, and fitness level. This varies between individuals. For comparison, jogging burns roughly 300–400 calories in the same time, so pilates is best combined with cardio for weight loss goals.
Can pilates alone cause weight loss?
Pilates alone rarely causes significant weight loss without dietary changes. Weight loss requires a calorie deficit, which the NHS recommends achieving through a combination of exercise and reduced-calorie diet. Pilates supports this by building muscle and improving fitness, but diet is the key factor.
Is pilates good for people trying to lose weight?
Yes, pilates is excellent for weight management because it's low-impact, builds lean muscle, improves posture, and is sustainable long-term. It works best as part of a balanced fitness routine that includes cardiovascular exercise and a calorie-controlled diet.
How does pilates compare to running for weight loss?
Running burns more calories per session (300–400 in 30 minutes vs. 150–225 for pilates). However, pilates is lower-impact and may be more sustainable for people with joint issues. Ideally, combine both: pilates for strength and injury prevention, plus cardio for calorie burn.
Should I do pilates if I'm using weight loss medication?
Yes, exercise including pilates is recommended alongside weight loss medication. If you're considering GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy, these work best combined with physical activity and dietary changes. A prescriber will advise on safe exercise during treatment. Try our free progress tracker to monitor your journey alongside any prescribed medication.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.