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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Stairmaster and Weight Loss — How Exercise Fits With UK Medication Options
The Stairmaster is an effective cardio and strength tool for weight management, burning significant calories whilst building lower body muscle. However, exercise alone often isn't enough for sustainable weight loss. If you're struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, prescription weight management medications are available in the UK for eligible adults. This guide covers how the Stairmaster fits into your weight loss journey and what NHS and private medication options exist to support your goals.
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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.
UK Prescription Weight Loss Medication Options
Three prescription-only weight management injections are licensed in the UK: Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Saxenda (liraglutide). These GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist medications work alongside lifestyle changes—including exercise like Stairmaster training—to reduce appetite and support sustainable weight loss.
Eligibility in the UK: Adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions (type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease), may be eligible. For South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults, lower BMI thresholds apply. In clinical trials, Mounjaro helped participants lose an average of 15–21% body weight, whilst Wegovy supported average losses of approximately 15% alongside reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Individual results vary significantly.
Calculate your BMI using our free BMI calculator to see if you might be eligible for prescription weight loss support.
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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.
NHS vs Private Access — How to Get Started
In the UK, prescription weight loss medication is available through two routes. NHS access requires referral to a specialist tier 3 weight management service through your GP, though regional availability and waiting times vary significantly. Private access is available through UK-licensed prescribers via online consultations and GPhC-registered pharmacies, without requiring an NHS referral.
Exercise like Stairmaster training should continue alongside any medication—prescription weight loss treatments work best with lifestyle changes, not instead of them. Speak to your GP to discuss whether prescription weight loss medication is appropriate for you, or explore private prescribing options if you want faster access. Our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help you estimate potential outcomes at different doses.
- 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.
Does the Stairmaster alone help you lose weight?
Yes, the Stairmaster burns significant calories (400–800 per 30-minute session depending on intensity and body weight) and builds lower body muscle, which supports metabolism. However, sustainable weight loss also requires a calorie deficit through diet. Many people find combining regular Stairmaster use with dietary changes, and potentially prescription medication if eligible, gives the best results.
Can you use Stairmaster whilst taking Mounjaro or Wegovy?
Yes, exercise like Stairmaster training is encouraged alongside prescription weight loss medication. In fact, clinical trials showed weight loss medication works best when combined with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Always check with your prescriber about exercise intensity if you're taking diabetes medications or have heart conditions.
How much weight can you lose with Stairmaster exercise alone?
Weight loss depends on frequency, intensity, diet, and individual factors. Regular Stairmaster use (3–5 times weekly) combined with a calorie deficit typically supports 0.5–1kg per week loss, consistent with NHS recommendations. However, many people plateau without dietary changes or additional support like prescription medication.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy for weight loss?
Both are once-weekly injections licensed for weight management in the UK. Mounjaro is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist (doses 2.5–15mg) with average weight loss of 15–21%. Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist (doses 0.25–2.4mg) with average weight loss around 15%. Both require clinical assessment and are prescription-only. Individual results vary.
How do I check if I'm eligible for NHS weight loss medication?
Speak to your GP about referral to a specialist weight management service. Eligibility generally requires BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with weight-related health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Use our free BMI calculator to check your BMI, then discuss your options with your GP or explore private prescribing through a UK-licensed online service.
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.