Oldham Active trains team to support GLP-1 patients

Community leisure trust, Oldham Active, has trained up its fitness team to deliver advice and guidance on GLP-1 medications. Thirty members of the trust’s wellbeing and fitness team completed Future Fit’s new Navigating GLP-1 for Sport and Physical Activity Professionals training, covering the basics of GLP-1 medications, the science behind them and practical applications for fitness professionals.

The one-day course was delivered in-person by celebrity TV doctor Dr. Hussain Al-Zubaidi, a specialist in GLP-1 medications who collaborated with Future Fit in creating the training. The training comes as health professionals prepare to widen access to GLP-1 medications for weight management through the NHS, which would enable GPs to prescribe the medication for obesity as well as diabetes.

According to Simple Online Pharmacy, an estimated 500,000 people in the UK were taking GLP-1 medications in December 2024. Of these, 95% were buying the medications privately, while the remaining 5% likely accessed them through the NHS for diabetes management.

Lauren Connis, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Oldham Active, said: “We wanted to upskill our team to help members understand the use and consequences of GLP-1 medications and how we can support them in their long-term wellbeing.

“Around 50% of our new health referral members are currently taking the medication, often without a GP prescription and with limited information, demonstrating the urgent need to educate our fitness team.”