Now that you’re sold on the idea of checking up on your metabolic improvements with a follow-up New Leaf metabolic assessment test, you may be eager to strap on that face mask as soon as possible. Not so fast: You’ve got to give your workouts a chance to work their magic on your system. Your trainer can help you choose the right time to reassess your metabolic performance; here’s a general guide:

Beginners who are focusing on building a strong fitness foundation can benefit from a reassessment after 6 weeks of training. When you’re new to exercising, the body is quick to respond to a smart, steady program that gradually increases intensity over the weeks.

Fitness enthusiasts who had a workout routine before their initial metabolic assessment generally prefer to wait 12 weeks to reassess their progress. A training program that aims to get you off your fitness plateau and performing at a higher level often takes a little longer to show results.

Performance athletes can benefit from reassessing at 6 and 12 weeks. Why the frequent assessments? Think of it as the difference between tuning up a race car and rebuilding a station wagon: The high-performance race car will be sensitive to small tweaks in fuel and power. That station wagon, on the other hand, is going to show great gains from even the most basic repair and maintenance.

When recovering from an injury, it can be beneficial to reassess after a lapse in training. The metabolic information and fat-burning efficiency can help guide you efficiently through the process of rebuilding your fitness foundation phase. Reassessing once you’re fully recovered—and raring to amp up your workouts—delivers similar benefits that can prevent you from taking on too much, too soon.