Why Strength Training is Essential When Taking a GLP-1

Sep 2

3 min read

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have changed the weight-loss conversation.

And there’s no denying it, they can be incredibly effective at helping people lose weight.

But there’s one part of the conversation that doesn't get nearly enough attention: If you’re losing weight on a GLP-1 (or just losing a large amount of weight in general), strength training needs to be part of the plan.

When you lose a significant amount of weight, you don't necessarily lose only body fat. Many lose lean mass along with it—including muscle.

And the goal shouldn't just be to make the number on the scale go down. Especially as we get older, we want to lose fat while preserving as much muscle, strength, and function as possible. Because muscle is what helps you:

Get up and down off the floor
Carry your groceries or luggage
Climb stairs without struggling
Maintain your balance
Keep doing the hobbies you love
Stay strong and independent as you age

If you're currently on a weight loss journey, I want to sell you on the following five reasons to add resistance training to your routine.

1. Muscle.

Muscle is the organ of longevity. Keeping your muscle means living a longer, higher quality life.

2. Metabolism.

Better body composition (more muscle, less fat) speeds your metabolism. Meaning you burn more calories, even at rest! A better metabolism sets you up to better maintain your weight loss.

3. Look Lean.

Losing pounds changes your body size. But resistance training gives your muscles that lean, toned look so that so many of us are striving for!

4. Strength & Independence.

Do you want your grandkids to remember you as fun and active, or always sitting out? Do you want to be able to shower, go to the bathroom, and go to the grocery store on your own when you're in your 80's and beyond? Strength and muscle is what makes it possible.

5. Sustainable Habits.

Data shows that those who create consistent fitness and nutrition habits during their weight loss journey are more likely to keep the weight off for life. If you add resistance training to your routine now, it will be so much easier to sustain that habit and keep the weight off when your weight loss journey is over.

At the end of the day, weight loss is a fantastic fitness goal. Maintaining a healthy weight has innumerable health benefits. But it is equally as important to ensure we are losing the right kind of weight (aka fat!).

If you are currently in a weight loss journey, it will be completely life-changing to add resistance training to your routine.

If you're not sure where to start, we would love to help. We have an awesome 42-day program you can join right now—we'll help you get started safely with strength training, and if you attend all your workouts + assessments, you'll win 100% of your money back. It's our way of rewarding those who truly commit to their fitness.

Click here to learn more—only 15 spots available each month.

Check out this incredible transformation! Before starting with Fitness Collective, Danika was in this exact situation. She had lost 100 lbs on a GLP-1, but realized she lost her muscle, too.

After training with us for 7 months, she gained 6 lbs of muscle and was able to decrease her body fat % by another 9%, completely transforming her body composition! Now, she can't wait to take her family's holiday photos this year. Way to go, Danika!