ISSA Launches GLP-1 Training Program for Fitness Professionals Amid Rising Demand
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
As the popularity of GLP-1 medications continues to grow in the United States, the fitness industry is positioning itself as a relevant partner in supporting individuals on medically assisted weight loss journeys. Originally developed for diabetes management, drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now widely prescribed for weight loss. Morgan Stanley Research estimates that more than 24 million Americans could be using these medications by 2035, prompting a shift in how health and wellness professionals engage with clients undergoing significant physical changes.
In response to this trend, the International Sports Sciences Association has launched a new educational program titled GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training. The course is designed to prepare personal trainers, health coaches, and fitness professionals to work with clients who are using GLP-1 medications, offering instruction that covers both the physiological effects of the drugs and the broader emotional and behavioral shifts that may accompany weight loss.
“The weight loss landscape is changing dramatically, and trainers need more than science—they need strategies to best help their clients succeed,” said Natalie Mayslich, Chief Operating Officer of ISSA. “Our new GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training course empowers fitness and health coach professionals to stay within scope while becoming trusted allies in client transformation.”
The course aims to help professionals remain within their defined scope of practice while offering structured support. According to ISSA, the curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Health Coach Institute and includes material focused on exercise adaptation, client motivation, body image, and long-term behavior change. It also includes strategies for preserving muscle mass—an important consideration, as some studies suggest GLP-1 medications can lead to rapid reductions in overall weight, including lean tissue.
Brooke Jeffries, MS, CN, NBC-HWC, Pathway Program Director at the Health Coach Institute, emphasized the need for a broad approach. “GLP-1 medications can be valuable tools, but true, lasting transformation requires more than a prescription,” she said. “Health coaches and personal trainers are indispensable in helping clients make the behavioral and mindset shifts necessary to maintain their progress. By addressing nutrition, physical activity, emotional eating, and body image, coaches guide clients toward a healthier, more sustainable approach to weight management.”
An April 2025 article from Harvard Health Publishing reported that, in some studies, GLP-1 users lost an average of 10 to 15 percent of their body weight over the course of a year. The same report noted that the most effective medications in this class have been associated with weight reductions of more than 20 percent.
ISSA states that its training is intended to fill a growing need in the fitness industry as more individuals seek out complementary support while using GLP-1s. The organization describes the course as a way for professionals to enhance their expertise while remaining compliant with medical boundaries.
“This course isn’t just about understanding the medications—it’s about becoming a compassionate, confident, and trusted ally in clients’ health journeys,” added Jeffries.
The GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training is now available through ISSA’s platform.
