The Emergence of GLP-1 Workouts: Navigating New Fitness and Health Landscapes

In March 2025, at SURFCORE Fitness in Los Angeles, a groundbreaking fitness trend is taking shape. At 10 a.m. on a quintessential Friday, a 52-year-old fashion consultant engages in goblet squats and bicep curls under the guidance of a trained professional, encapsulating what is now being termed the "Ozempic workout."

Understanding GLP-1 Drugs and Their Impact

GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, have transformed the management of chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and excess body weight. Initially popularized for diabetes management, these drugs have gained prominence for weight loss following the FDA’s 2021 approval of Wegovy for this purpose.

However, these medications are not without challenges. They often result in significant weight loss, much of which is lean body mass. This reduction can lead to muscle loss and physical weakness, creating barriers to maintaining physical strength and energy levels for exercise. Dr. Martha Gulati of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center notes that these drugs induce a caloric deficit by making individuals feel full with fewer calories, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies and impaired workout capacity.

According to Dr. Gulati, "Depending on the drug, people can lose between 25%-50% of their lean body mass." This critical loss can make regaining muscle particularly tough without targeted interventions.

The GLP-1 Workout: A Solution for Muscle Preservation

To counterbalance the muscle loss associated with GLP-1 use, the GLP-1 workout has emerged as a strategic response. This regimen emphasizes strength training to build and preserve muscle mass, paramount for those experiencing weight and muscle shifts from medication. Coupled with nutritional guidance and recovery techniques, this workout fosters sustainable lifestyle habits aimed at preventing weight regain post-medication.

The trend has swiftly caught fire on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining visibility through hashtags such as #ozempicworkout and #glp1training. Luxury fitness chains such as Equinox and budget-friendly options like Planet Fitness have joined the movement. Equinox’s "GLP-1 protocol," launched in January 2024, underscores the industry’s rapid adaptation to these evolving training needs.

Josh Leve, CEO of the Fitness Business Assn., underscores the urgency, "If fitness professionals don’t tailor their approach to individuals on these medications, there are risks for them losing functional strength, bone density, metabolic health."

Is the GLP-1 Workout Truly Innovative?

Although the core strength-training elements of the GLP-1 workout aren’t novel, their application is new. According to Shawn M. Arent, professor at the University of South Carolina, "It’s just marketing. … but in terms of our general guidelines for resistance training, there really is nothing special about a GLP-1 workout. At the end of the day, it’s just resistance training. But that’s not sexy."

Despite its lack of novelty in exercise mechanics, the workout strategy’s appeal is evident. A 2024 poll by KFF indicates that approximately 6% of American adults, equating to over 15 million people, are using GLP-1 drugs for weight management. Fitness facilities and trainers globally market themselves as experts in this evolving niche.

Industry Response and Certification Programs

The uptick in GLP-1-related fitness demands has catalyzed changes in trainer certification programs. The National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise have incorporated GLP-1 education into their curricula. The National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) introduced a "GLP-1 Exercise Specialist Certificate" program in January, branding it as a "passport to success" for aspiring trainers.

Eric Durak, an exercise physiologist who authored NESTA’s program, highlights the holistic approach exercised in these training regimens: "It’s about changing the mind-set and lifestyle," he notes. "The trainer’s job goes above sets and reps with this population. It’s also about developing relationships."

Diverse Approaches to the GLP-1 Workout

Varied strategies characterize the GLP-1 workout implementations in different gyms. Some prioritize nutritional education, underscoring the importance of high-protein diets and macro monitoring. Others focus on recovery protocols, emphasizing activities such as guided stretching, optimally structured sleep patterns, and leveraging muscle-mass tracking instruments.

Equinox’s approach, for instance, incorporates not just exercise routines but holistic life habit coaching. Stan Ward, the club’s senior personal training manager, outlines their comprehensive guidance: "We help them navigate food and understand when they feel full. And how to do that in a long-term, sustainable fashion."

Carlos Sosa of SURFCORE Fitness engages directly with clients’ healthcare providers to tailor solutions that align with medical guidance, addressing specific medication effects, and optimizing workout benefits.

For some, like a 52-year-old fashion consultant who experienced significant muscle loss after starting Mounjaro, these tailored workout plans have markedly improved body composition and restored confidence. This underscores the broader potential for these workouts to offer benefits well beyond muscle maintenance, fostering holistic health and empowerment.