{"id":710068,"date":"2026-07-25T05:58:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T05:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/710068\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T05:58:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T05:58:09","slug":"glp-1-drugs-reshaping-fitness-uae-experts-stress-strength-training-is-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/710068\/","title":{"rendered":"GLP-1 drugs reshaping fitness: UAE experts stress strength training is key"},"content":{"rendered":"

For decades, the fitness industry revolved around one goal \u2014 helping people lose weight. Today, the growing popularity of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy<\/a> and Mounjaro is changing that equation.<\/p>\n

Across Dubai, fitness coaches say they are seeing a sharp rise in clients using the medications, forcing gyms to rethink everything from training programmes to nutrition advice. Instead of chasing rapid weight loss, the focus is increasingly on preserving muscle, improving body composition and supporting long-term health.<\/p>\n

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Lindsay, founder of Roar Fitness and a three-time Olympian, said GLP-1 medications have completely changed the way trainers approach new clients.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few years ago, the priority with most new clients was fat loss. Now, with a GLP-1 client, the priority flips almost entirely to muscle preservation and strength,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Instead of simply designing calorie-burning workouts, trainers now ask clients about their appetite, energy levels<\/a> and how their bodies are responding to the medication before building personalised programmes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe medication suppresses appetite; it doesn\u2019t build a stronger body,\u201d Lindsay said. \u201cWithout resistance training, a real portion of the weight lost is muscle, not fat.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said trainers are also placing greater emphasis on protein intake and recovery because many clients are eating significantly less while on the medication.<\/p>\n

Muscle matters<\/p>\n

One of the biggest changes, according to Lindsay, is that strength training is no longer an optional extra.<\/p>\n

\u201cRapid weight loss without resistance training can strip lean mass along with fat,\u201d she said. \u201cMuscle drives your metabolism, strength, bone density and how well you age. Losing it quietly undermines the very outcome people think they\u2019re achieving.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that Dubai has become one of the markets where demand for specialist coaching has risen sharply, with many clients specifically seeking guidance on how to maintain muscle while taking GLP-1 medications.<\/p>\n

The shift is also changing the business model of premium gyms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pushed premium fitness further toward personalised, results-driven coaching rather than generic gym memberships,\u201d Lindsay said. \u201cClients need trainers who understand what\u2019s happening in their bodies and can adapt programmes week by week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctors warn against relying on medication alone<\/p>\n

Medical experts say the drugs have transformed obesity treatment but stress they should only be used under medical supervision and alongside lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n

Dr Kingini Bhadran, specialist endocrinologist at Aster Clinic, Qusais, said GLP-1 medications have helped redefine obesity as a chronic medical condition rather than simply a lifestyle issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have significantly transformed obesity management by offering an effective medical treatment option alongside lifestyle modification,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

However, she warned that patients who do not consume enough protein or perform regular strength training risk losing lean muscle mass as they lose weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuscle loss can reduce metabolism, decrease strength, impair physical function and increase the likelihood of regaining weight after stopping treatment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

To minimise those risks, she recommends adequate protein intake, resistance training at least two to three times a week and regular medical monitoring.<\/p>\n

Growing cosmetic use<\/p>\n

Both experts also expressed concern over the increasing number of people using GLP-1 medications primarily for cosmetic weight loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest misconception is thinking the medication does the work on its own,\u201d Lindsay said.<\/p>\n

She warned that some people are using the drugs simply to become thinner without addressing the lifestyle habits needed for long-term success.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe real risk isn\u2019t the medication itself when it\u2019s prescribed and monitored properly,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s treating it as a shortcut rather than part of a medically guided plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Bhadran agreed, saying she has seen more people seeking GLP-1 medications despite not meeting the medical criteria.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis trend is concerning because these medications are not intended as a quick fix or a substitute for healthy lifestyle habits,\u201d she said. \u201cInappropriate use may expose individuals to unnecessary side effects, nutritional deficiencies, muscle loss and potential long-term health risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Arwa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For decades, the fitness industry revolved around one goal \u2014 helping people lose weight. Today, the growing popularity…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":710069,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[429,102,6591,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-710068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-medication","tag-dubai","tag-health","tag-medication","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710068\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/710069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=710068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=710068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}