Wouldn’t it be great if there was a step-by-step guide to help you reach your complete athletic potential? Of course, as individuals, we’re all totally unique and although it would be a whole lot easier, one guide will never fit all! This means that while you may find people with similar goals to you, people hoping to improve performance in the gym or on the court, each of our journeys to getting there differs based on a whole host of factors — our general health and well-being being one of them.
One of the most reliable ways to know more about where you currently are in your fitness journey and how you can get to where you want to be is by checking in on your health. These are just four health tests that men should consider taking to help them on their journey to reaching peak athletic performance.
General fitness assessment
One of the first steps you want to take to get an idea of your current fitness and your athletic potential is a general fitness assessment. This is recommended whether you are looking to make specific improvements or if you are simply hoping to maintain your current levels of fitness.
You should be able to schedule a fitness assessment in your gym or a local sports clinic. It’s likely that this will include having your weight and height recorded as well as some questions about your personal health goals. Before starting a new training regime or if you have any concerns or symptoms, it’s also a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider.
Male hormone
Responsible for muscle strength, energy levels, metabolism, and sex drive, the male hormones play crucial roles in nearly every bodily function. And if you are an avid gym goer and/or athlete it should come as no surprise to hear that checking in on your hormones every so often and tracking your levels is key to gaining insights into any potential imbalances that may be holding you back in your fitness journey.
Stress, an unbalanced diet, and even overtraining can all have an impact on your hormones. If you want to know more about your levels and get on the right track to reaching your peak potential, check in with LetsGetChecked’s range of Male Hormone tests with clinical support available.
Vitamin and mineral
We know we might be preaching to the choir but a balanced diet is an essential part of any athlete’s day-to-day life! Getting the correct amount of nutrients each day will not only give you the fuel you need for your workouts but can also help with recovery. This means you can avoid losing any training time to fatigue and keep your goals at the top of your mind.
Curious if you’re fueling correctly? Get insights into your current nutrition levels and identify potential areas for improvement by testing with LetsGetChecked’s Vitamin and Mineral range. Checking in will help you know if your diet includes all the nutrients your body needs to help you feel your best.
Cortisol
Stress is, stressful. And if you are experiencing stress over a long period of time, it can have a knock-on effect on the things that you enjoy most including working towards your fitness goals. When we find ourselves under stress, our bodies release cortisol. If you are constantly under stress, your stress response will stay switched on and your cortisol levels will remain elevated. This can cause a range of symptoms like mental fatigue, sleep problems, and muscle aches. If you are concerned that stress may be impacting your performance or any aspect of your life, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider. They will be able to provide the right support and treatment for you.
If you want to learn more about your cortisol levels you can test with LetsGetChecked’s at-home Cortisol Test. This can provide insights into your cortisol levels to make sure you start your journey to peak athletic performance on the right foot.
