LIFTS Episode 116 - GLP-1s Are Changing Fitness: What Gym Operators Need to Know | PerformX Special (Part 2 of 3) | with Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this special episode recorded live at PerformX, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most significant and rapidly evolving topics in health and fitness today: the rise of GLP-1 medications and what they mean for the fitness industry.

Joined by Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, GP, personal trainer, health coach, and one of the UK's leading educators on obesity management and lifestyle medicine, the conversation explores how these medications are reshaping the health landscape.

As GLP-1 treatments become more widely used across the US and UK, gyms are beginning to see a new type of members entering their facilities, individuals who may be starting their health journey for the first time and looking for guidance on building sustainable habits.

The discussion explores how GLP-1 medications work, the challenges around muscle loss during rapid weight reduction, and why strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle change are critical for long-term health outcomes.

The panel also examines how healthcare systems such as the NHS are approaching GLP-1 treatments, the risks of relying on medication alone, and why fitness operators may become one of the most important environments for supporting members during and after treatment.

From body composition tracking and behaviour change to collaboration between healthcare and fitness professionals, this conversation explores the growing role gyms could play in supporting sustainable health outcomes.

This episode is Part 2 of a three-part series recorded live at PerformX, exploring the ideas shaping the future of fitness.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why GLP-1 medications are transforming the weight-loss landscape
• The difference between weight loss and health gain
• Why muscle preservation matters during GLP-1 treatment
• How exercise can reduce the risk of rapid weight regain
• What gym operators can do to better support members using GLP-1s
• Why body composition matters more than the number on the scale
• The opportunity for collaboration between healthcare and fitness professionals

👉 To learn more about Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussain-al-zubaidi-402b141a7/

👉 To learn more about our sponsor EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

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0:00 Welcome to LIFTS Live at PerformX 0:46 Why GLP-1s Have Exploded in the US 3:05 The UK Obesity Challenge & GLP-1 Access 6:07 Why Exercise Matters During GLP-1 Treatment 8:45 Muscle Loss and the Opportunity for Gyms 11:01 Why the NHS Is Cautious About GLP-1 18:17 What Gym Operators Should Actually Do 33:38 Micro-dosing, Misuse & Industry Risks 42:04 The Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine