Types of drugs that have been proven to help damage the user’s health are: 15% to 20% of body weight It could put the fitness industry at risk. However, some gyms have actually adopted these slimming pills. And surprisingly, a new analyst report released this month by Morgan Stanley suggests these gyms are doing the right thing.
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are all GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) agonists, a type of drug that helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppresses the user’s appetite.These drugs were first approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, then later approved as a weight loss drug, and last year Demand for these drugs is skyrocketing.
Morgan Stanley analysts now expect the global market for these drugs to reach $105 billion by 2030, up from previous estimates of $77 billion. The investment bank also expects GLP-1 adoption to reach about 31.5 million people, or about 9% of the U.S. population, by 2035.
In the past, some food company executives have expressed concern about the economic impact of these weight loss drugs and their growing popularity.
Lars Fluergaard Jorgensen CEO Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wigobythe food company’s chief executive in February said: call him for advice About popular treatments.
“Several CEOs of food companies, for example, have called me,” Jorgensen told Bloomberg. “They’re afraid of it.”
While the concerns of these food industry CEOs may be justified, research data shows that users of these drugs; Reduce spending at restaurants — Gym and fitness industry executives may have nothing to worry about.
“For the fitness industry, it’s never a bad thing for a lot of people to get in better shape,” says Michael Crandall, a personal trainer at E by Equinox in Hudson Yards who also operates and develops high-end gyms. he said. ozempic protocol. “A natural change that comes with weight loss is an increase in physical fitness.”
Weight loss drug users are exercising more and going to the gym more often
A Morgan Stanley survey of GLP-1 users conducted last June found that after starting GLP-1 treatment, the percentage of respondents who said they trained weekly rose from 35% to 77%. It has been found.
“The exact factors are not clear from the study, but perhaps patients feel that as they lose weight, they feel more physically and mentally motivated to exercise, which can further enhance the effectiveness of weight-loss drugs.” the analysts wrote in the report.
A recent study by the investment bank found that people who use these drugs are not only exercising more, but also joining gyms.
Of the approximately 300 GLP-1 users surveyed by Morgan Stanley in February, 50% were gym members. About 70% of them joined a gym within the past 12 months. This was within the same time period that most people started their GLP-1.
Equinox, Life Time Fitness, Xponential Fitness are betting on GLP-1
Over the past few months, many high-end and lifestyle gyms have launched programs aimed at those who take or want to take GLP-1.
Crandall first started noticing people talking about these drugs last fall, but it wasn’t until January that he actually noticed an increase in customers starting to ask more questions about them. he said. At the same time, he also confirmed that a number of new clients he is onboarding are already using GLP-1.
So this year, Equinox began educating senior-level coaches on how best to train clients on these medications, both from an exercise and nutritional perspective.
But Equinox isn’t the only company investing in programs for weight loss drug users.
Lifetime Fitness debuts MIORA Lifespan and Performance The program will be held in November at our Minneapolis location and online. Through MIORA, members can undergo medical examinations, including blood draws, and receive personalized health recommendations, including advice on exercise and nutrition, hormone therapy, and prescriptions for GPL-1 agonists.
and Xponential Fitness — parent company of boutique brands such as Pure Barre, Rumble, and RowHouse. Acquired weight loss clinic chain Lindora in Decemberprovide prescriptions for weight loss drugs.
Gym could be the solution for GLP-1-related muscle loss
“People who take this drug have fewer cravings and eat less,” Crandall said. He added that along with weight loss, it can lead to a decrease in bone density and lean muscle mass.
Pharmaceutical companies are observing this phenomenon and working to develop it. The next generation of drugs to address this side effect.
In the meantime, programs like Equinox could be part of the solution.
Crandall said one of the biggest parts of Equinox’s program is that “people aren’t starving, so we’re making sure they’re getting enough healthy protein to combine with their current physical activity.” “I’m going to try to do that,” he said.