Mens Health Week: A Dad's Plan to Check, Move and Talk

Most dads I know are brilliant at booking the kids’ dentist appointments, remembering the car’s MOT and fixing the boiler. Booking a check-up for themselves? Not so much. We tend to wait until something hurts, then wait a bit longer. That is exactly why Men’s Health Week exists. It is a yearly nudge for men to stop putting their own health at the bottom of the list. Here is how a busy dad can use it to book the checks, start moving and look after his head, with ideas you can act on whether it is June or any other week of the year.

What is Men’s Health Week?

Men’s Health Week is an annual awareness week run in the UK by the Men’s Health Forum, a charity focused on men’s health. It takes place in June, in the week leading up to Father’s Day. In 2026 it ran from 15 to 21 June, with a focus on how pharmacies can better support men.

Each year has a theme, but the message underneath is always the same: men are often slower to seek help, and small actions taken early make a big difference. You do not need to wait for June to act on it.

Action 1: Book the checks

Pick one or two of these and put them in the diary this week:

• An NHS Health Check. If you are aged 40 to 74 without certain existing conditions, you should be invited every five years for an NHS Health Check. It looks at things like blood pressure and cholesterol. If you have not had a letter, ask your GP surgery. My plain guide to the NHS Health Check explains what happens on the day.
• Blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Many pharmacies and GP surgeries can check it for you. The NHS page on high blood pressure explains why it matters.
• Anything you have been ignoring. A lump, a change in your bowel or bladder habits, a mole that looks different, pain that will not go away. Book the GP appointment. If you are over 50 and have questions about prostate health, the NHS page on prostate cancer is a good place to start, then talk to your GP.
• Your waist. A tape measure is a simple home check. The NHS suggests keeping your waist to less than half your height.

Action 2: Start moving, gently

The NHS physical activity guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week plus strength work on two days. If you are starting from zero, do not try to hit that in week one. Here is a simple seven-day starter you could use during Men’s Health Week:

• Monday: 20-minute brisk walk, phone in pocket.
• Tuesday: 10 minutes at home: 3 rounds of 10 squats to a chair, 8 push-ups against the kitchen worktop and a 20-second plank on your knees.
• Wednesday: 20-minute brisk walk, ideally with a hill.
• Thursday: Repeat Tuesday’s session, adding 2 reps to each exercise.
• Friday: Rest, or a gentle walk with the family.
• Saturday: Something active with the kids: the park, a bike ride, a kickabout.
• Sunday: A longer walk, 30 to 45 minutes. Bring a mate.

If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, chest pain, joint problems or have not exercised in years, check with your GP before starting.

Action 3: Look after your head

Mental health is part of men’s health, not a separate topic. Work stress, money worries, broken sleep with young kids and the pressure to be “the strong one” can quietly pile up. A few things that help:

• Talk to one person this week. A partner, a friend, a brother. It does not need to be a big conversation. “Honestly, I have been a bit flat lately” is a start.
• Walk and talk. Many men find it easier to open up side by side than face to face. I wrote about this in walk and talk for men.
• Use free tools. The NHS Every Mind Matters site has a quick mind plan and practical tips for stress, sleep and low mood.
• Know where to get help fast. If you are struggling or worried about your safety, the NHS explains where to get urgent help for mental health, including calling 111. In an emergency, call 999.

Exercise genuinely helps mood for many people. Even a short walk or a hard 45-minute session can leave you feeling clearer.

Make it more than one week

The risk with any awareness week is that it becomes one good week and then nothing. To make it stick:

• Put next year’s health check reminder in your phone today.
• Choose one exercise slot per week that is non-negotiable, and tell your family about it.
• Get a mate involved. You are both more likely to show up.

Where a bootcamp class fits

A weekly class covers the “start moving” and “look after your head” parts at the same time. You train with other adults, someone else plans the session, and you leave having spent 45 minutes on yourself. For dads carrying a lot of stress, my SYP Release class uses pads and slam balls to let it out. For more on how exercise affects your mood, see my post on exercise and mental wellbeing for parents.

FAQs

When does the week take place?

It runs every June in the week leading up to Father’s Day. In 2026 it ran from 15 to 21 June. Check the Men’s Health Forum for future dates.

What health checks should men get?

Blood pressure checks, the NHS Health Check if you are 40 to 74, and any screening you are invited for. See your GP about any new or worrying symptoms rather than waiting.

How can I support men’s mental health at work or at home?

Ask how someone is doing, then ask again. Suggest a walk rather than a sit-down chat, and point people towards NHS resources if they need more help.

Is it too late to start exercising in my 40s or 50s?

No. Starting at any age brings benefits. Begin with walking and simple strength work, build up gradually and check with your GP if you have health concerns.

Book your first class

Let this be the week you do something for you. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, indoors in a church hall, all fitness levels welcome. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you live on the Highgate side and want 1-1 support later, have a look at my work as a personal trainer in Highgate.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.