Following new health economic research, health and fitness leaders call for deeper integration of physical activity and strength training in GLP-1 treatment. 

Washington, DC–June 15, 2026–As GLP-1 medications transform obesity treatment worldwide, new multinational research finds that pairing GLP-1 therapy with regular structured exercise would improve long-term health outcomes, reduce downstream costs, and generate positive economic returns across multiple countries.

The white paper, From Weight Loss to Lasting Value: Structured Exercise and the Economics of GLP-1 Therapy, comes at a pivotal moment.

Across the world, governments, health systems, and other payers are weighing how to approach GLP-1 coverage, prescribing policies, reimbursement, and long-term treatment support.

At the same time, most countries face compounding challenges of rising obesity and related chronic disease, a persistent physical inactivity crisis, and escalating healthcare expenditure.

Against this background, the study examined whether structured exercise can improve the long-term clinical and economic value of GLP-1 treatment.

Developed by FTI Consulting’s Center for Healthcare Economics and Policy, it compares impacts of GLP-1 therapy as a standalone obesity treatment with GLP-1 therapy combined with exercise.

In partnership with a multinational coalition of fitness sector organizations, the analysis used a health-economic model adapted across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Across all five countries studied, the analysis found that a combined approach supports improved long-term health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and produced positive economic returns.

Combining regular exercise with GLP-1 therapy is estimated to generate around:

• United States: US$120 billion in economic and societal value over 10 years and a 496% return on investment, rising to 1,572% and US$393 billion over 30 years.
• Australia: A$182 million in economic and societal value over 10 years and a 59% return on investment, rising to 457% and A$1.4 billion over 30 years.
• Canada: C$3.5 billion in economic and societal  value over 10 years and a 105% return on investment, rising to 526% and C$17.9 billion over 30 years.
• New Zealand: NZ$51 million in economic and societal  value over 10 years and a 27% return on investment, rising to 306% and NZ$592 million over 30 years.
• United Kingdom: £2.7 billion in economic and societal  value over 10 years and a 164% return on investment, rising to 717% and £13 billion over 30 years.

The findings demonstrate that as GLP-1 use expands, exercise should play an essential role in helping patients and health systems maximize the long-term value from new generations of weight-loss drugs.

Consequently, the Health & Fitness Association, the HFA Foundation, AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand, Fitness Industry Council of Canada, and ukactive are calling on policymakers, payers, and healthcare systems to integrate structured exercise into GLP-1 treatment pathways. Specifically, to:

1. Recognize structured exercise, including strength training, as an essential part of obesity care;
2. Embed exercise support into GLP-1 care models;
3. Build referral pathways between healthcare providers and qualified exercise professionals and fitness facilities;
4. Support patient access to qualified exercise professionals and fitness facilities; and
5. Measure outcomes beyond weight loss, including long-term health and economic value.

This call to action builds on a recent joint position statement signed by the participating fitness industry groups, the World Obesity Federation (WOF), and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), which emphasized the urgency of ensuring physical activity and nutrition are central to systems supporting the global roll-out of obesity medications.

The full white paper, infographics, and media resources are available here.

Compared with medication alone, adding structured exercise to GLP-1 therapy can help patients:

• Preserve muscle during weight loss
• Maintain strength, mobility, and bone health
• Keep more weight off over time
• Reduce weight regain after stopping medication
• Lower the risk of costly health events later on

In the United States, adding structured exercise to GLP-1 therapy could help avoid 48,000 acute cardiovascular events and 160,000 joint replacements over 10 years.

Leadership quotes

Greta Wagner, President and CEO (Interim), Health & Fitness Association and President, HFA Foundation: “GLP-1 medications are rapidly changing obesity treatment, but weight loss alone is not the full measure of success. The health and fitness industry has long known that lasting wellness requires more than a number on a scale, it requires strength, function, and sustainable healthy life habits. This research confirms that exercise, especially strength training, helps patients sustain the benefits of GLP-1 treatment over time. It sends a clear message that exercise belongs at the center of GLP-1 care.”

Ken Griffin, CEO, AUSactive: “We know weightbearing exercise is good for patients.  Now we know it’s good for health systems too. Health systems cannot afford to think about obesity treatment in silos. Medication, movement, and long-term behavior support need to be connected if we want to improve outcomes and reduce avoidable costs.”

Richard Beddie, CEO, Exercise New Zealand: “This research gives policymakers a practical evidence base for action. The question is not whether exercise is beneficial in general. The question is how we make structured exercise part of the treatment pathway for people receiving GLP-1 therapy – this both improves the efficacy of the GLP-1 intervention, but more importantly reduces long term health costs.

Zach Weston, Executive Director, Fitness Industry Council of Canada: “Canada, like many countries, is facing both rising obesity-related costs and persistent physical inactivity. These findings show why structured exercise should be part of the healthcare conversation as GLP-1 use grows for the long term sustainable success of clinical therapy.”

Cameron Saunders, CEO, ukactive: “GLP-1 medications have the potential to be genuinely transformative, but to really achieve this potential fully they must be combined with structured exercise. This research shows what could be at stake if they are not: £2.7 billion in avoidable costs to the UK health system over the next 10 years alone. Our members are ready to be delivery partners – we have the facilities, the professionals and programmes to make it happen at scale. The evidence is clear and the bill for inaction is one that health systems cannot keep picking up.”

Headshots and video clips can be found here.

Contactos para la prensa

Health & Fitness Association: Lia Palazzo, +1 202 792 8558, pr@healthandfitness.org

AUSactive: Niki Waldegrave, +61 410 898 863, niki@waldecomms.com

Exercise New Zealand: Richard Beddie, +64 27 520 5744, richard@exercisenz.org.nz

Fitness Industry Council of Canada: Erin Phelan, +1 416 822 8621, communications@ficdn.ca 

ukactive: Charlotte Greenwood, +44 (0)20 8158 9723, press@ukactive.org.uk

About the Organizations

Asociación de Salud y Forma Física

The Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA), a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health. Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.

Fundación HFA

La Fundación Health & Fitness Association (Fundación HFA) es una organización benéfica 501(c)(3) cuyo objetivo es promover la importancia de la actividad física y su impacto en la salud individual y comunitaria. Fundada en 2012 para promover la salud a través del ejercicio, la Fundación HFA ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en un catalizador del cambio en la forma en que la industria de la salud y el fitness presta servicio a las comunidades locales. La Fundación HFA conecta las instalaciones de sus miembros con sus comunidades locales, fomentando la participación a través de la investigación, las becas y la filantropía.

AUSactive

AUSactive is Australia’s peak body for the active health sector –  our goal is to activate Australians to move more. We do this through providing services, education and advocacy for exercise professionals, businesses and students. Our programs are designed to grow skills, businesses, and careers. We work with all stakeholders across the sector, driving the development of best practice, industry standards, and continuing education to support our members so they are ready for emerging opportunities and rewarding careers.

Ejercicio de Nueva Zelanda

Exercise New Zealand is the peak body representing the exercise industry in Aotearoa / New Zealand, who collectively bring the benefits of exercise to over half a million members, and contribute over $500 million to the NZ economy. We are committed to supporting the industry through advocacy, resources, standards and education.

Consejo de la Industria del Fitness de Canadá

The Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is the non-profit trade association representing over 7,000 fitness facilities across Canada. As the unified voice of the Canadian fitness industry, FIC advocates for policies that promote physical activity and support the commercial viability of fitness providers. Our mission is to work with provincial and federal governments to improve the health of all Canadians by making fitness more accessible, professionalized, and integrated into the national physical activity and healthcare strategy.

ukactive

ukactive is the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more than 3,000 member organisations and partners in our shared ambition to get More People, More Active, More Often. From gyms, leisure centres, studios, sports bodies and other activity providers, to major health bodies, consumer brands, tech firms and equipment manufacturers, our community collaborates across the private, public and third sectors. ukactive facilitates high-impact partnerships, conceives and drives breakthrough campaigns, conducts critical research and lobbies the Government to recognise the power of the physical activity sector to address today’s biggest issues – including reducing the burden on the NHS and social care, improving workforce health to grow the economy and revitalise our high streets.