The Ozempic Cliff: How personal trainers are helping clients keep weight off after GLP-1s

So you lost the weight with Ozempic — now what?Tens of millions of people around the world have experienced their own GLP-1 journeys as prescription weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound have become increasingly available.In the U.S.

alone, the percentage of adults who currently takes GLP-1 medications for weight loss has cimbed from just 3% in 2024 to 11% in 2026, per data from Gallup.And just as people must decide whether to start a weight-loss medication, many will eventually face another question: When is the right time to come off it — and what happens next? Increasingly, the conversation is shifting toward life after GLP-1s, and what some have dubbed the “Ozempic cliff.”Research suggests that roughly half of patients taking GLP-1 medications discontinue treatment within 12 months, with some studies putting one-year discontinuation rates between 50% and 75%.And, in many cases, the weight does eventually come back.

A University of Oxford meta-analysis from January found that patients who stopped GLP-1 therapy regained weight at a rate of 0.4 kg per month, returning to their original baseline weight within approximately 1.7 years.However, experts say there are strategies that may help reduce the risk of weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications, and maintaining a regular workout routine is a key part of that equation.NASM, which is a well-known fitness certification organization for personal trainers, is rolling out a specialized training program addressing GLP-1 medications and the role of personal trainers in supporting clients before, during and after medication use.The curriculm focuses on two evidence-based approaches that can be particularly effective for long-term weight management after GLP-1 use: behavior change and resistance training — which not only helps keep the weight off, but has also been shown to help clients build muscle over time.According to the Mayo Clinic, while some loss of lean mass can occur duri...