As GLP-1 medications continue to reshape obesity treatment globally, the Fitness Industry Council of Canada is calling for structured exercise and strength training to be more deeply integrated into GLP-1 care pathways.

The call follows the release of new multinational health economic research finding that combining GLP-1 therapy with regular structured exercise can improve long-term health outcomes, reduce downstream healthcare costs and generate positive economic returns.

New Research Examines Exercise’s Role in GLP-1 Treatment

The white paper, From Weight Loss to Lasting Value: Structured Exercise and the Economics of GLP-1 Therapy, was developed by FTI Consulting’s Center for Healthcare Economics and Policy in partnership with a multinational coalition of fitness sector organizations.

The analysis compared GLP-1 therapy as a standalone obesity treatment with GLP-1 therapy combined with structured exercise. The model was adapted across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Across all five countries studied, the research found that adding structured exercise to GLP-1 treatment supports stronger long-term health outcomes, lowers healthcare costs and produces positive economic returns.

Canadian Impact: Billions in Projected Value

For Canada, the study estimates that combining regular exercise with GLP-1 therapy could generate C$3.5 billion in economic and societal value over 10 years, representing a 105% return on investment. Over 30 years, the projected value rises to C$17.9 billion, with a 526% return on investment.

“Canada, like many countries, is facing both rising obesity-related costs and persistent physical inactivity,” said Zach Weston, Executive Director of Fitness Industry Council of Canada. “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.”

The report comes as governments, health systems and payers around the world continue to assess how GLP-1 medications should be covered, prescribed, reimbursed and supported over the long term. At the same time, many countries are facing rising obesity and chronic disease rates, ongoing physical inactivity challenges and growing healthcare expenditures.

Fitness Sector Calls for Integrated Care Pathways

According to the participating fitness organizations, the findings demonstrate that physical activity should be viewed as an essential part of obesity care as GLP-1 use expands.

The Health & Fitness Association, HFA Foundation, AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand, Fitness Industry Council of Canada and ukactive are calling on policymakers, payers and healthcare systems to:

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

The call to action builds on a recent joint position statement signed by the participating fitness industry groups, the World Obesity Federation and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry. That statement emphasized the importance of ensuring physical activity and nutrition are central to systems supporting the global rollout of obesity medications.

Beyond Weight Loss

Compared with medication alone, the organizations say 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 and lower the risk of costly health events later in life.

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

For the fitness industry, the findings reinforce a growing opportunity for clubs, studios and qualified exercise professionals to play a more formal role in healthcare delivery. As GLP-1 use continues to grow, FIC and its international partners argue that structured exercise should be positioned not as an optional add-on, but as a key part of long-term treatment success.