Men's health courses: everyday habits and the checks worth booking
Straightforward guidance on food, activity, alcohol and stress for men in the UK, plus the free NHS checks and screening you may be invited to, and when.
- Courses coming soon
- Tools in every course
- Certificate included
Many common health problems, such as high blood pressure and raised cholesterol, cause no symptoms at first, which is why free NHS checks are worth booking. In England, adults aged 40 to 74 without certain existing conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, are invited for an NHS Health Check every five years. It looks at blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, diabetes risk, alcohol and activity, and gives you a picture of your risk of conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Screening is offered across the UK too. Men are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening in the year they turn 65, and bowel cancer screening home test kits are posted out at ages that differ between the four nations. There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, but men aged 50 and over can ask a GP about a PSA test and talk through its pros and cons.
Our men's health courses focus on the everyday habits behind those checks: eating well with the Eatwell Guide, keeping alcohol within the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk guideline of no more than 14 units a week, building activity into a working week and handling stress. Courses in this topic are listed below as they open.
All men's health courses
New courses for this topic are on the way. Browse the other topics in the meantime, or contact us about the course you need.
What the men's health courses cover
- All-round wellness: health checks, food, activity, sleep and stress in one course, with a prep sheet for the NHS Health Check.
- Weight: waist tracking, meal planning and an alcohol units tracker, for men who want a practical plan.
- Heart health: salt, saturated fat and label checks, and how to keep a home blood pressure log if your GP has asked you to.
- Stress: spotting the signs early, a plan for talking to someone and where to find support.
Related courses in our fitness and nutrition topics cover strength training, food labels and the Eatwell Guide.
The tools you will use
- Health checks checklist: which NHS checks and screening apply at your age and where you live.
- Waist tracker and activity planner: a weekly record and a simple plan for building towards the activity guidelines.
- Alcohol units tracker: converts pints, bottles and measures into units across the week.
- Salt checker and meal planner: use label colours and swaps to plan a week of everyday meals.
- Stress tracker and talking plan: notice patterns and decide who you could talk to and when.
Symptoms not to ignore
See your GP if you notice:
- a lump or swelling in a testicle, or a change in its shape or feel
- needing to pee more often, especially at night, difficulty starting, or a weak flow
- blood in your pee or poo, or a change in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more
- weight loss you cannot explain
Call 999 for chest pain that spreads to your arms, neck, jaw or back, or for signs of a stroke such as a drooping face, arm weakness or slurred speech. If you are struggling to cope or having thoughts of suicide, go to A&E or call Samaritans free at any hour.
Men's health courses: your questions
What is an NHS Health Check?
A free check in England for adults aged 40 to 74 who do not already have certain conditions, offered every five years. You are usually invited by letter, or you can ask your GP surgery. It covers blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, diabetes risk, alcohol and activity.
I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Is there something similar?
There is no equivalent universal check outside England. You can still ask your GP surgery or practice nurse about a blood pressure check, and many pharmacies offer one.
Should I ask my GP for a PSA test?
Men aged 50 and over can ask for one. The test is not routine screening because it has benefits and downsides, and your GP can talk these through so you can decide.
How many units are in a pint of beer?
It depends on the strength. A pint of 4% beer is about 2.3 units, so stronger beers add up quickly. The UK Chief Medical Officers advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days.
Are men's health courses only for men?
They are written with men in mind, but anyone can take them, including partners who want to support someone.
Official sources
Book the check, then build the habit
If you are 40 to 74 in England, ask your GP surgery about an NHS Health Check, then explore the courses as they open.