You can’t imagine: GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs – such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound-really are that it is everywhere. According to a November 2025 survey, one in five American adults has used this type of drug at some point, and one in eight currently does. vote by KFF Health.
Many people use GLP-1 for weight loss and treatment Type 2 diabetesand/or to treat other long-term medical conditions. And while these drugs are very effective for weight loss and chronic disease management, they are not a cure-all.
“Essentially a tool” Yuval Pinto, MDobesity pharmacist at the Johns Hopkins Healthy Eating, Activity, and Weight Program, tells SELF. About 98% of Dr. Pinto’s patients take GLP-1, and he stresses to all of them the importance of pairing the drug with certain lifestyle habits to maximize the benefits. One of the essential components of these lifestyle habits? Regular movement.
Read on to find out why physical activity is so crucial when taking GLP-1, what the best types are, and expert tips on how to incorporate this guidance into your routine.
Why is regular exercise crucial for anyone using GLP-1?
First, exercise and general movement are “vital to our existence and longevity,” says Dr. Pinto. And that’s true whether you’re taking GLP-1 or not. Regular exercise has many health-promoting benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, sleepdigestion and mood, says Dr. Pinto.
But it’s so beneficial for those using GLP-1 because weight loss is a very common side effect of these drugs. And when you lose weight any capacity—whether it’s medication, bariatric surgery, or a diet and exercise program—some of the weight comes from fat mass…and some comes from muscle and bone, says Dr. Pinto.
If you lose too much muscle and bone mass, there is a greater risk of diseases that develop later, such as sarcopenia (low muscle mass and weakness), osteopenia (low bone density), and osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones), he explains. This is especially true for women, who already face an increased risk in middle and later life due to low muscle and bone mass due to perimenopause and hormonal changes during menopause, explains Dr. Pinto.
Now for the good news: strength training is a great way to combat them. That’s because, when combined with proper nutrition and sleep, it can help preserve (and in some cases, increase) bone and muscle mass, says Dr. Pinto. Another way of thinking: Taking GLP-1 can help you lose weight, but pairing the drug with exercise tells your body where weight loss comes from Kelyssa Hallis an exercise physiologist and board certified strength and conditioning specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery, tells SELF.
