GLP-1s no time to weight

GLP-1s are discussed in the media on a near-daily basis. As usage is growing exponentially – 1 million adults are now on the medication – Cheryl Hersey, The Fitness NED, explores what the implications are for the fitness sector

Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, recently said weight loss drugs “can be game-changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to work”. He also stated that this new generation of medication could have a “monumental” impact on obesity and the economy. For the fitness sector, there are two ways of looking at the impact of GLP-1s. For an industry built around weight loss, will it be even harder to attract to people to a gym, if they can take a drug to achieve their weight loss goals? Or, is this a huge opportunity to support a market segment that would never have set foot in a gym otherwise?

Regardless of which side you take, we would all be wise to familiarise ourselves with the GLP-1 narratives because the real risk lies in ignoring the changing market and being left behind.

A weighty opportunity

NICE recommends that adults with obesity, who are taking a GLP-1 do so alongside physical activity, but who are the people taking this medication and exactly how do we encourage them into the gym?

“Patients on a GLP-1 journey may not have previously found exercise accessible - perhaps due to mobility issues caused by, or made worse by, carrying excess weight - but as the weight comes off, they may find they are able to begin,” highlights Caroline Pilot, Head of Clinical Products and qualified GP at HealthHero, which delivers a supported weight management service to tens of thousands of patients in partnership with Pharmacy2U.

“We have a pool of clinicians who work exclusively with this group of patients. We consult with them via text and they can contact us 24/7,” explains Pilot.

Patients on a GLP-1 journey may not have previously found exercise accessible - perhaps due to mobility issues caused by, or made worse by, carrying excess weight - but as the weight comes off, they may find they are able to begin

“Exercise and weight loss however are two very different things. Some of the benefi ts of these medications are amazing but we always recommend they are taken alongside lifestyle changes including exercise, which also comes with its own set of amazing benefits.”

Experts say that without exercise, there is a risk of losing weight without improving body composition. It is widely accepted that GLP1-s cause significant muscle loss so exercise, particularly resistance training, is an important part of the journey. A key question for operators is exactly how they attract customers already on a GLP-1 Journey into the gym.

“We would love to see specific memberships or sessions for our customers, rolled out by the fitness sector,” says Pilot. “Our customers would benefit from a specific fitness journey, where their unique needs are understood, and they feel comfortable and empowered to train throughout their weight loss journey.”

Opening the conversation

In the US, where these drugs are more widely prescribed, health club operator, Equinox, has done just that. It has launched what it is calling, a “GLP-1 protocol;” a supported training programme for members taking these drugs, to give them the best chance of long term success. WeightWatchers also has a US membership plan with access to doctors who can prescribe GLP-1 drugs, demonstrating consumer appetite for a holistic programme – which includes medication – to help them reach their goals.

In the UK, consumer sentiment towards the drugs remains mixed, with concerns including safety and long-term success. With celebrities and public figures citing their own GLP-1 journeys – including Oprah Winfrey, Rebel Wilson and Boris Johnson to name a few – social acceptance is growing. For many, however, the medication still comes with a stigma.

“Gyms need to open up the conversation about GLP-1 medication and let their members know they are here to support them and that they have an appropriate membership or training program available,” says Sally Ann Turner, Managing Director of The Bodyline Clinic, a CQC registered weight management clinic, which sees 500 patients a week.

Turner believes that GLP-1s present a massive opportunity for the fitness sector, which is perfectly placed to offer exercise support. “The benefits of this medication are so vast, I anticipate, in time, a large percentage of the population with higher than normal BMI will be taking them for wider weight health reasons. Fitness operators can’t afford to ignore this; our industries must find a way of working together.”

Upskilling of the workforce to support members on a GLP-1 journey is actively being looked at by key industry players including ukactive, CIMSPA, ActiveIQ and Bodyline is currently developing a course for fitness professionals wanting to learn how to train clients taking GLP-1s.

“We already offer a supported clinical weight loss journey but the missing piece is exercise,” explains Turner. “With 18 years experience we feel we are perfectly placed to create a course which educates fitness professionals about the medication, and what a training plan should look like; for instance, exercise will vary from the weight loss phase to the weight maintenance phase as well as the need to tailor exercise to a person’s ability and need.”

With an upskilled workforce and a specific pathway, operators could benefit from a significant new membership base. For years the industry has struggled to go beyond 15% penetration, but with 5 million GLP-1 users and growing, the market is ripe for forward thinking operators to really take advantage of the changes and support more people towards their goals.

Gyms need to open up the conversation about GLP-1 medication and let their members know they are here to support them

Some companies in the US are even going a step further and offering access to GLP-1 prescriptions. Xponential Fitness has acquired a chain of weight loss medical clinics as part of the membership and Echelon, a connected-bike company, has launched a subscription which includes a GLP-1 prescription for the ultimate at-home weight loss journey. Could this be a glimpse into the future of the UK gym memberships and home equipment purchases?

What the industry says…

Duncan Jefford Regional Director, Everyone Active Tackling chronic health conditions – including obesity – is already part of our core mission so we’re extremely interested in GLP-1s and the role they may be able to play in improving health outcomes for the communities that we serve. We’re following the developments very closely. The idea of being able to support customers who are already on a GLP-1 journey, with specific activity programmes, is something we’re interested in, but the safety of our members would be paramount so we’d need to feel 100% confident in the medical partner to move forward.

Andy Farr Strategic Director, Parkwood Leisure It’s clear that GLP-1s are having an impact, but my question mark is around long term results and creating dependency on the drugs. What happens when the patient comes off the medication? As operators we are well placed to support these weight loss journeys with exercise and behaviour change, which will be a critical part of the patient journey and the exit route off medication, but there would also need to be some upskilling of our workforce to fully understand the implications of the medication and deliver the best results.

Paul Ferris CEO, Speedfl ex Speedflex at its core has always been about offering a pathway into exercise and wellness for individuals who otherwise may feel excluded. As an industry we have a duty to help as many people as we can find their way back to good health or maintain and improve their existing health. GLP-1s are a potential game changer, indeed life changer, for many people who may feel they are ‘too far gone’ for the gym. They appear to be remarkable drugs. They will never however be able to replicate the physiological, and psychological benefits of regular exercise, particularly resistance exercise. They provide an opportunity for our industry to finally engage vast groups of people who have been previously out of our reach. GLP-1s will be the catalyst for weight loss for many, we in the fitness industry must be there providing the exercise and wellness solutions for the life changing journey ahead for millions who will no doubt embark upon it. ‘I think providing GLP-1s as part of a total wellness offering is a fascinating and forward- thinking development by Echelon. It is one we should all watch with interest.

Duncan Jefford

Andy Farr

Paul Ferris