How Fitness for GLP-1 Users Is Changing the Workout Landscape

Jennifer Hardy
Oct 3
6 min read

A fundamental shift is underway in the fitness and wellness world, and it’s being fueled not by a new workout craze but by a class of medications. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound aren’t just changing how people eat. They’re reshaping how we move, socialize, and think about fitness altogether.

The old “calories in, calories out” mindset is losing ground to something more complex: clients who are eating less, losing weight faster, and wondering how to stay strong while doing it.

According to a new survey from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), 60% of fitness professionals say they’re now working with a whole new type of client. It's not the typical gym demo. These are people whose needs, fears, and goals are unique, but collectively being let out of the echo chamber.

If you're getting ready to start a GLP-1 lifestyle or ramp up your fitness activity after some weight loss, we wanted to help you know where to look. It's more than accreditation and savvy social videos. As someone who spent her 30s working out like an athlete but lost her way in the 40s, I've now lost 37% of my initial body weight on Zepbound in my early 50s.

I want to help you find the right fitness instructor to help you achieve goals beyond looking good in a tank top or bootie shorts.

How Fitness for GLP-1 Users Is Different

Fitness looks different when your appetite, metabolism, and energy levels are being guided by medication. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound mimic a natural hormone that slows digestion, reduces hunger, and helps regulate blood sugar. That’s great for weight loss, but it also means your body may burn fewer calories and rely more heavily on stored energy.

One of the biggest concerns or side effects of GLP-1s is the potential impact on muscle mass. The result? You may see the number on the scale drop quickly, but without strength training and adequate protein, much of that loss can come from muscle instead of fat.

NASM’s survey backs this up, noting that “clients are coming to our professionals with a new, urgent fear: ‘Am I losing essential muscle mass?’” In fact, 60% of trainers said this is now the top concern among GLP-1 users.

That shift matters. Muscle isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a metabolic asset. It supports posture, balance, mobility, and longevity. For GLP-1 users, maintaining it is non-negotiable. That means prioritizing resistance training, consistent movement, and smart recovery over punishing cardio or calorie obsession.

What to Look for in a GLP-1 Fitness Instructor

Finding the right trainer isn’t just about who can count your reps. It’s about partnering with someone who understands the full picture, from your shifting energy levels and nutrition challenges to the mental and emotional changes that come with rapid transformation.

Accepts the Power of GLP-1s Toward Longer Life

You don’t need a coach who rolls their eyes at your prescription or tells you how supportive they are while looking down their nose at it to their fellow fit friends. You need one who understands why you’re taking it. GLP-1 medications aren’t the “easy way out.” They’re legitimate medical tools with proven benefits for weight loss, metabolic health, and longevity.

They have the knowledge and the tools, but customize your fitness journey to match your life goals, not just fitness desires. We all wish six-pack abs were standard, but it's more important to focus on losing visceral fat or building muscle mass when eating at a calorie deficit.

Understands Co-Morbidities that Accompany GLP-1s

Many GLP-1 users are doing more than shedding pounds. They’re also managing serious conditions such as:

Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
Joint pain
Cardiovascular issues

A qualified trainer should recognize how those factors affect your workouts, recovery, and overall safety. That might mean modifying exercises for heart health, focusing on balance, or choosing low-impact movements.

Your coach should be confident in adapting programs for clients with complex health needs.

Is Willing to Work with Your Medical Team

Fitness should be part of your healthcare plan, not separate from it. The best trainers are open to collaborating with your doctor, dietitian, or endocrinologist. Together, they can make sure your workouts support your medication, lab results, and broader wellness goals.

This type of teamwork builds trust and helps prevent common issues like overtraining or underfueling, both of which can become real concerns when appetite is low. This teamwork means you'll be better informed to decide which supplements to use or how to get the seemingly impossible amount of protein every day.

Even for super responders like me, I hit a plateau seven months in. Without the support of the people around me, and despite the people who tried to say "I told you so," I broke that plateau with strategy, not starvation.

A Trainer Who Is Focused on Your Success

A true coach puts your progress first. They’re not in it for likes or mirror selfies. Look for someone who uses their platform to share knowledge, not just show off. There’s a world of difference between a personal trainer and a fitness influencer.

A real pro meets you where you are, offers guidance that fits your stage of the journey, and celebrates small wins. Pay attention to the details too. Do they showcase gear, workouts, and clothing that work for all body types or just the extra-small crowd? The right trainer will make you feel seen, supported, and inspired, no matter your size or starting point.

Try this litmus test: give their website or TikTok three minutes. If all you see are selfies and slogans instead of tools you can use, they might not be the right fit for someone who’s spent years navigating side eyes instead of support.

A Mental Health Manager

Weight loss isn’t just a physical transformation. Whether you’re a super responder or seeing slow, steady progress, there’s a mental shift happening too. The right trainer knows that GLP-1 users face challenges most people don’t see and approaches fitness with empathy, not ego. That includes understanding things like:

Loose skin that appears even when you’ve “done everything right.”
Body dysmorphia, or the disconnect between how you look and how you feel.
The emotional weight of losing “food noise” and old coping habits.
The frustration of working out while dealing with fatigue, nausea, or other side effects.

Trainers who truly get it aren’t trying to make you puke or prove how tough you are. They’re helping you find a version of fitness that feels tangible, achievable, and forgiving because real strength starts with compassion. At the same time, they won't let your side effect excuses stop you from moving a little bit today.

Someone Who Understands the Hesitation

Starting fitness after major weight loss can feel intimidating. Maybe the gym brings anxiety, or past programs left you burned out and broke. A good trainer meets that hesitation with patience, not pressure.

Avoid anyone who insists on training at a specific gym or pushes pricey gear you’re unsure you’ll use. GLP-1 users already invest heavily in their health and don’t need another “this will fix it” promise.

The right coach works with what you already have: bodyweight moves, daily walks, and simple ways to add activity into your routine. Real progress starts with support, not stuff.

Why I'm Passionate About GLP-1s and Fitness Routines

I’ve struggled with my weight since my 30s, and for years, every “solution” came with judgment or burnout. GLP-1s finally helped me find balance in the space where quality of life and a healthy lifestyle actually coexist. It’s not about chasing abs or running marathons. It’s about feeling strong enough to live the life I want.

In building GLP-1 Newsroom, I’ve talked to countless trainers. Too many still think “mind over matter” is a rule to live by, not a slogan to question. But this isn’t about willpower or grit. I’m not trying to star in a Nike ad. I’m trying to stop wondering if the next time my chest hurts, it’s another heart scare. I need someone who builds my mental strength as much as my muscle strength. Don't you deserve that, too?

We're done being judged by silence or side-eye, and it finally seems like the fitness industry is paying attention to us. Let's wield that power wisely with whom we let into our health tribe.