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
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What's the Ideal Weight for a 5'8" Man?
For a man who is 5'8" (173 cm), the ideal healthy weight range is approximately 59–79 kg, or 9 stone 4 lbs to 12 stone 5 lbs. This range is based on NHS BMI guidelines for a healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9). However, ideal weight depends on several factors including muscle mass, frame size, and age. The average UK man of this height weighs around 85 kg (13 stone 5 lbs), which falls into the overweight category. Use our free BMI calculator to find your personal healthy weight range based on your individual health profile.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
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.
Healthy Weight Range for 5'8" Men — Data and Formula
The healthy weight range for a 5'8" (173 cm) man is calculated using the NHS BMI method. A healthy BMI sits between 18.5 and 24.9, which translates to approximately:
- Lower healthy bound: 18.5 × (1.73)² = 55.4 kg (8 stone 10 lbs)
- Upper healthy bound: 24.9 × (1.73)² = 74.5 kg (11 stone 10 lbs)
In practice, most UK health professionals consider 59–79 kg (9 stone 4 lbs to 12 stone 5 lbs) a realistic healthy weight range for this height, allowing for natural variation in muscle and bone density. This aligns with NHS guidance for a healthy weight for height UK populations. Using the weight converter on this page, you can instantly check where your current weight falls within this range. If your weight is above 79 kg, you may be classified as overweight (BMI 25–29.9) or obese (BMI 30+), which increases health risks including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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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.
Factors That Affect Your Ideal Body Weight
Ideal body weight isn't one-size-fits-all. Several factors influence what weight is genuinely healthy for you:
- Muscle mass: Muscle weighs more than fat. An athletic man with high muscle mass may have a higher weight but lower body fat percentage than the BMI range suggests.
- Frame size: Small-framed men typically sit at the lower end of the healthy weight range; large-framed men at the upper end.
- Age: Muscle naturally decreases with age, so an ideal weight may shift as you get older.
- Ethnicity: Men of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage may face higher health risks at lower BMI levels, so NHS guidelines recommend lower thresholds for these groups.
Your GP can provide personalised guidance on what weight is ideal for your individual health profile, taking these factors into account alongside your current health status.
- 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.
What's the average weight for a 5'8" man in the UK?
The average UK adult man is approximately 175 cm tall and weighs around 85.7 kg (13 stone 7 lbs). However, average weight is not the same as healthy weight. The NHS healthy weight range for a 5'8" man is 59–79 kg (9 stone 4 lbs to 12 stone 5 lbs), meaning the average UK man is above the healthy range.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range using a weight for height UK chart?
Healthy weight range is calculated using BMI: multiply your height in metres by itself, then divide your target weight in kg by that number. For 5'8" (1.73 m), healthy BMI 18.5–24.9 equals approximately 59–79 kg. Our free BMI calculator on this page does this instantly.
Is 70 kg a good weight for a 5'8" man?
At 70 kg, a 5'8" man has a BMI of approximately 23.4, which falls comfortably within the healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9). This is considered a healthy weight. However, whether 70 kg is ideal for you depends on your muscle mass, fitness level, and individual health factors — your GP can advise further.
What if I'm 5'8" but muscular — does the healthy weight range still apply?
BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so a very muscular 5'8" man might have a higher BMI but still be in excellent health. Body composition, not weight alone, matters. Consider a waist measurement check (healthy under 94 cm for men) or ask your GP about body fat percentage if you're concerned.
How much weight should a 5'8" man lose if he's overweight?
If you're above 79 kg at 5'8", the NHS recommends losing weight at a safe rate of 0.5–1 kg per week. This means losing 2–4 kg per month through a calorie deficit and increased physical activity. Try our free progress tracker to monitor your weight loss journey over time.
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.