Will Fishenden, 39, saw his sperm volume, motility, and shape move into the high-optimal range after three months of a lifestyle overhaul known as “spermaxxing,” the Irish Sun reported. Fishenden, co-founder of Prep Kitchen, began the regimen after initial fertility tests showed his results were in a lower percentile for his age.
Fishenden adopts spermaxxing lifestyle
Spermaxxing is a social-media trend where users apply “maxxing” principles—pushing habits like sleep tracking and fiber intake to extremes—to optimize biological results. Fishenden treated a 12-week period as a “full reset” because sperm takes approximately 74 days to develop, according to fertility nutritionist Charlotte Grand of proceive.com.
During this period, Fishenden lost 10kg, dropping from 125kg to 115kg. He increased cardio training using a StairMaster and assault bike, quit vaping, and stopped drinking alcohol. He also monitored his sleep and recovery using a WHOOP health tracker and reduced his use of saunas.
Pro Tip: Sperm production functions best at a temperature slightly lower than the body’s core temperature. Reducing prolonged exposure to significant heat is a standard approach to supporting production.
Medical verdict on fertility hacks
Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar, a GP and owner of The Aesthetics Doctor, states that “spermmaxxing” is a social-media term rather than a medical concept. While Fishenden reported success, Dr. El Muntasar notes that the jury is still out on whether sperm quality can be ‘maxxxed’.
The GP provided a breakdown of the specific methods used by Fishenden:
- Supplements: Fishenden took male fertility supplements focusing on zinc and selenium. Dr. El Muntasar notes these support normal reproductive function, but warns that excessive doses of vitamins can be harmful and evidence for antioxidant supplements improving live-birth rates is less convincing than social media suggests.
- Alcohol and Vaping: Fishenden went teetotal. Dr. El Muntasar supports avoiding vaping and heavy drinking; one study linked more than 15g of alcohol a day to an increase in abnormal sperm.
- Dr. El Muntasar says reducing heat exposure is sensible, but there is no convincing evidence that ice baths improve sperm morphology or count.
- Weight and Sleep: Dr. El Muntasar describes weight loss as one of the most sensible parts of the approach, as obesity is associated with poorer sperm quality. He adds that while sleep trackers aren’t proven fertility treatments, poor sleep is linked to reduced sperm concentration and motility.
Did you know? A study of 840 men found that sleeping too little, too much, or poorly was linked to decreased sperm motility and lower concentration.
Risks of relying on wellness trends
Dr. El Muntasar says that lifestyle optimization should be done alongside fertility investigations, as poor sperm parameters can have underlying structural or genetic causes.
Common questions on sperm health
How long does it take for lifestyle changes to affect sperm?
Sperm take approximately 74 days to develop, which is why experts like Charlotte Grand suggest a 12-week window to optimize the environment before conception.
Does sauna use actually lower sperm count?
According to Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar, repeated or prolonged exposure to significant heat may temporarily affect sperm production because the testes function best at a temperature lower than the body’s core.
Can supplements fix infertility?
While zinc and selenium are involved in reproductive function, Dr. El Muntasar states that correcting a deficiency is important, but taking large doses will not necessarily make healthy sperm “dramatically better.”
Fishenden’s results showed improvement in volume, motility, and shape, though medical professionals maintain these are the results of general health improvements rather than specific biohacking gadgets.
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