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
Is A Stairmaster Good For Weight Loss?
Yes, a stairmaster can be a highly effective tool for weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet. It's a challenging cardiovascular exercise that burns significant calories whilst also building lower body muscle, which supports your metabolic rate. For sustainable weight management in the UK, regular stairmaster use alongside healthy eating habits is more effective than exercise alone. Calculate your personal BMI and explore your weight loss options using our free tools above to get started on your health journey today.
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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.
How The Stairmaster Supports Weight Loss
The stairmaster is one of the most effective cardio machines for weight loss because it engages multiple large muscle groups — your quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. This increases calorie burn compared to lower-impact cardio like walking on a treadmill.
- Calorie burn: A 70kg adult can burn approximately 500–800 calories per hour on a stairmaster, depending on intensity and pace
- Muscle building: Unlike pure cardio, stairmasters build leg muscle, which increases resting metabolic rate over time
- Low impact on joints: The stepping motion is gentler on knees and ankles than running, making it sustainable for regular use
- Intensity control: You can adjust speed and resistance to match your fitness level, making it accessible for beginners
For weight management in the UK, the NHS recommends combining regular physical activity with a reduced-calorie diet. The stairmaster alone won't create weight loss — but paired with healthy eating, it's a powerful tool. Most people see results with 3–4 sessions per week of 20–40 minutes.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
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.
Stairmaster + Diet = Better Results Than Exercise Alone
Weight loss requires a calorie deficit — burning more energy than you consume. A stairmaster helps create this deficit through activity, but diet is equally important. The NHS recommends losing weight at a rate of 0.5–1 kg per week for sustainable results.
Combining stairmaster sessions with a balanced, calorie-controlled diet is far more effective than relying on exercise alone. If you're struggling with weight loss despite regular exercise, discuss your options with your GP. Some adults benefit from prescription weight loss medication alongside lifestyle changes, which your GP or a specialist can assess. Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore how prescription weight loss options work alongside diet and exercise for your personal situation.
- 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 times per week should I use a stairmaster for weight loss?
The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. For a stairmaster, this equates to 3–4 sessions of 30–40 minutes, or you can spread 20-minute sessions across more days. Consistency matters more than frequency — sustainable exercise is key to weight loss success.
Can a stairmaster alone help me lose weight?
A stairmaster is an excellent calorie-burning tool, but weight loss requires a calorie deficit. Exercise alone is rarely enough — you must also eat fewer calories than you burn. Combining regular stairmaster use with a reduced-calorie, balanced diet produces the best results for sustainable weight management.
Is a stairmaster better than a treadmill for weight loss?
Yes, a stairmaster typically burns more calories than a treadmill because it engages larger muscle groups and requires greater effort. A 70kg adult burns approximately 500–800 calories/hour on a stairmaster versus 400–600 on a treadmill at comparable effort levels. Both are effective — choose whichever you'll use consistently.
Will using a stairmaster build muscle as well as burn fat?
Yes. The stairmaster builds leg muscle (quads, glutes, hamstrings) whilst burning calories. This is beneficial for weight loss because muscle tissue increases your resting metabolic rate, meaning you burn more calories even at rest. Over time, this supports sustained weight management.
What if exercise and diet alone aren't working for weight loss?
If you've been consistently exercising and eating healthily but aren't losing weight, speak to your GP. They can assess whether prescription weight loss medication might help. Options like GLP-1 injections work alongside diet and exercise to support weight management — your GP can discuss whether this is appropriate for you based on your individual health.
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.