For anyone trying to make sense of the health landscape in 2026, you probably know someone (it may be you) who has been prescribed a GLP-1 medication. Around half a million Australians now use these medicines each month (Falster et al., 2026). If that is you, or someone close to you, there is one part of the conversation that often gets missed: your muscle.

So why does weight matter for health?

Obesity is a significant public health challenge in Australia. Approximately two thirds of Australians are classified as overweight or obese (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). This can lead to a number of health complications including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Several forms of cancer
• Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)

Whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you is a decision for you and your doctor.

So how does the medication work?

GLP-1 medications aim to suppress your hunger throughout the day. This is done by mimicking a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. This hormone has a number of features, the most relevant being that it is released after eating to give us a feeling of fullness (Olukorode et al., 2024).

So what’s the big concern?

One key concern that health practitioners have with the rapid uptake of these medications is that not all weight loss is ‘good’ weight loss. Recent studies show that somewhere between 15 and 45% of the weight lost on these medications can be lean tissue, which includes muscle (Haner Wasserstein et al., 2026). Lean muscle mass is incredibly important for our strength, mobility and physical independence. Losing muscle can also lead to sarcopenia (low muscle mass and strength) and raise the risk of falls and frailty (Exercise & Sports Science Australia [ESSA], 2026). Strength training during a weight loss intervention can help to maintain muscle mass while you lose weight (ESSA, 2026).

So how can an exercise physiologist help?

Exercise physiologists are university-qualified allied health professionals who prescribe exercise for people with chronic health conditions. They are trained to:

• Assess how well you move, and your heart and metabolic health
• Prescribe individualised exercise that aims to maintain (or increase) muscle mass
• Keep exercise safe for people managing several health conditions
• Support sustained behaviour change
• Make changes when necessary due to health complications

If your doctor has prescribed a GLP-1 medication, for you or someone you know, and you are not sure where exercise fits in, reach out. One of our exercise physiologists can support you along the way. You can also read more on our GLP-1 and strength training page.

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Overweight and obesity. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity

Exercise & Sports Science Australia. (2026, March 18). Policy position: Role of exercise physiology in the safe use of GLP-1 medications. https://www.essa.org.au/Web/Web/Resources/Publications/policy-position-on-role-of-exercise-physiology-in-glp-1-weight-loss-medications.aspx

Falster, M. O., de Oliveira Costa, J., Milder, T. Y., Carson, J., Shadbolt, C., Neuen, B. L., Arnott, C., Wilson, A., Jun, M., Pratt, N., & Pearson, S.-A. (2026). Trends in publicly subsidized and private access to GLP-1 medicines indicated for type 2 diabetes in Australia, 2020–2025. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/bcp.70715

Haner Wasserstein, D., Whitford, T., Whiteson, H. Z., & Frishman, W. H. (2026). Lean mass loss in glucagon-like peptide-1/GIP therapy: Clinical implications for obesity and cardiovascular care. Cardiology in Review. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/CRD.0000000000001178

Olukorode, J. O., Orimoloye, D. A., Nwachukwu, N. O., Onwuzo, C. N., Oloyede, P. O., Fayemi, T., Odunaike, O. S., Ayobami-Ojo, P. S., Divine, N., Alo, D. J., & Alex, C. U. (2024). Recent advances and therapeutic benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists in the management of type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. Cureus, 16(10), Article e72080. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72080