Up to 40% of weight lost on GLP-1 medication is muscle, not fat. Our certified trainers, clinical dietitian, and accountability coach help you preserve muscle, protect your metabolism, and get the body you actually want.
Last updated: March 2026 • Medically reviewed content • Based on peer-reviewed GLP-1 research
First time using the services of a PT and was not disappointed. I liked that the team spent time up front making sure they were clear on my training goals, and that they came to my condo gym which was really convenient. Layton, my PT, was excellent. Super communication, always on time, introduced me to a whole menu of new exercises targeted at my training goals.
Read moreAthleaders has been such a positive part of both mine and Clemen's fitness journey. With Anthony's expert guidance, we've not only grown stronger individually but have also stayed motivated as a team. I completed my first 10km run in 1 hour 14 minutes and I'm now training for a triathlon - something I never thought I'd be doing!
Read moreI joined Athleaders for weight loss, and with the support of Coach Lisa and Coach Fariha, I've lost 6.7 kg and 4.1% body fat in 3 months. Coach Lisa's consistent training helped me stay disciplined and understand the positive changes in my body with a stronger mindset. Coach Fariha provided a flexible and easy-to-follow portion guide.
Read moreI started with Athleaders hoping to feel stronger and more in control of my fitness and nutrition. Athleaders stood out to me for their customised approach. The convenience of training at home, paired with a program that adapts to my lifestyle, made it easy to stay committed and consistent. My trainer, Lisa, has been instrumental.
Read moreMy wife and I joined Athleaders because we wanted to lose weight and learn how to exercise properly. In the past, we often ended up with aches or injuries because we did not really know what we were doing. Training with Shawn has been a great experience. In just under two months, I have lost 3 kilograms and 10 centimetres off my waist.
Read moreI joined Athleaders with the goal of losing weight, and this has honestly been so rewarding. With Coach Fariha's guidance, I followed a portion-based plan that let me enjoy my favourite meals without feeling restricted. So far, I've lost 4.25 kg and reduced my body fat by 3.2%, and I couldn't be happier with the results.
Read moreAthleaders has been an incredible experience, and training with Evelyn has helped me build strength, endurance and confidence. My lower body strength has significantly improved while my upper body strength has doubled. Beyond strength, my endurance has reached a whole new level. Athleaders provides the perfect balance of challenge and support.
Read moreI started training with Athleaders to level up my fitness and prepare for competitive events, particularly Hyrox races. Over the past few months, I've seen noticeable gains in my upper body strength and cardio endurance. A highlight was winning First Place at Hyrox Youngstars in October 2024. Coach Evelyn has been an incredible guide.
Read moreWe'll discuss your goals, lifestyle, and how we'll help you get results, plus share our pricing. This call may be recorded for quality & training purposes.
THE HIDDEN RISK
GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are incredibly effective at reducing appetite and driving weight loss. But peer-reviewed research tells a different story about what that weight loss is made of. A 2023 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that up to 39.9% of weight lost on semaglutide was lean body mass, not fat. A separate JAMA study on tirzepatide reported similar findings: roughly 1 in 3 kilograms lost came from muscle tissue.
That muscle loss creates a chain reaction. According to Harvard Medical School, losing lean mass reduces your resting metabolic rate by approximately 50 calories per day for every kilogram of muscle lost. Over 6-12 months on GLP-1 medication, that adds up to a significant metabolic slowdown. You may also notice loose skin, a gaunt face (often called "Ozempic face"), reduced energy, and weaker bones. For clients over 40, the risk of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle, becomes even more serious.
And here is the part most people don't hear from their doctor: when you eventually stop the medication, and most people do within 2 years, the weight comes back. A 2022 study published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that participants regained two-thirds of their lost weight within one year of stopping semaglutide. The clients who keep their results are the ones who built muscle and healthy habits while they were on the medication.
That is exactly what Athleaders does. We pair you with a certified personal trainer who designs a strength-focused program specifically for GLP-1 users, a clinical dietitian who optimises your protein intake (targeting 1.2-2g per kg body weight daily) and manages side effects through food, and an accountability coach who keeps you consistent even on low-energy days. Over 500 clients in Dubai have used this 3-pillar system to transform their bodies since 2019.
Your GLP-1 Support Team
Most personal trainers have no experience with GLP-1 clients. At Athleaders, we've built a system specifically for people on Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy. You get 3 experts working together to maximise your medication results while preserving every ounce of muscle. Every fitness trainer for Mounjaro and Ozempic clients at Athleaders is certified, experienced, and matched to your goals. Whether you need a female personal trainer or personal training for seniors, our 3-pillar system adapts to you.
Your certified trainer designs a resistance training program built around muscle preservation. Compound movements, progressive overload, and sessions adapted to how you feel post-injection. We train at your home, gym, or outdoors with all equipment provided.
Your dedicated clinical dietitian creates a protein-optimised meal plan (1.2-2g per kg body weight) designed for Mounjaro and Ozempic users. They track your meals daily, adjust macros as your dosage changes, and help manage GI side effects like nausea through food timing and choices.
GLP-1 medications can cause fatigue, nausea, and low motivation, especially during dose increases. Your accountability coach works with your trainer and dietitian weekly to keep you on track, adjust the plan when side effects hit, and make sure you don't skip the sessions that matter most.
TRAINING OPTIONS
Every option includes your personal trainer, clinical dietitian, and accountability coach. Choose the setting that works best for you, especially on days when GLP-1 side effects make leaving the house feel hard.
Most Popular
The top choice for GLP-1 clients. Train in the comfort of your own home with zero commute. Perfect for days when nausea or fatigue makes going to the gym feel impossible. Your trainer brings all equipment to your door.
Have a gym in your building? Your personal trainer in Dubai meets you there with a customised strength program focused on muscle preservation, progressive overload, and compound movements.
Fresh air can help with GLP-1 nausea. We train you in parks, villa gardens, or the beach with full equipment. Low-impact sessions that are gentle on your stomach while still building the strength you need.
Couples & Friends
On the same medication as your partner or friend? Train together for accountability and motivation. Your trainer customises the program for both of you, even if you are at different stages of your GLP-1 journey.
What's Included
Real results from real clients. Many of our transformation clients were on Mounjaro, Ozempic, or other GLP-1 medications during their training with Athleaders.
Results vary by individual. All transformations shown involved Athleaders' 3-pillar programme (trainer + dietitian + accountability coach) combined with consistent effort from the client.
Clinical research shows GLP-1 users who combine medication with structured resistance training retain up to 88% more muscle mass compared to medication alone. Here is how the outcomes compare across 7 key health markers.
INVESTMENT
Every package includes sessions at your preferred location with all equipment provided. Nutrition coaching and accountability coaching are included with our full-service packages.
Starting from
Starting from
Starting from
Every trainer is hand-selected, certified, and experienced in working with clients on Mounjaro, Ozempic, and other weight loss medications. They understand how to programme exercise while on Ozempic or Mounjaro, including scheduling around injection days, managing nausea, and adjusting intensity during dose changes. We match you based on your goals, location, and personality. 99% trainer-match success rate.
Keira
Don
Fanny
Ahmed
Ons
Omar
Jess
Igor
Meet the Founder
3x Singapore International Triathlon Champion • Former Professional Footballer (Germany)
Founded Athleaders in 2019 with a single mission: make personal training results inevitable for every client in Dubai. With 15+ years of personal training experience, a master's degree in business, and certifications in training, nutrition, and coaching, Bernhard built the system he wished existed for busy people. As GLP-1 medications became common in the UAE, Bernhard expanded Athleaders' training protocols to address the specific needs of Mounjaro and Ozempic users, focusing on muscle preservation, protein-optimised nutrition, and accountability through side effects. Today, Athleaders is ranked the No.1 Fitness Company for four consecutive years (2023-2026) by expat forums and popular magazines.
Book a free 20-minute consultation. We'll discuss your GLP-1 journey, your goals, and exactly how our trainer + dietitian + coach system will work for you.
You don't need to be a fitness enthusiast to work with us. Most of our GLP-1 clients have never had a personal trainer before. Here's who gets the most out of this programme:
You just started Mounjaro or Ozempic and your doctor mentioned you should exercise but didn't tell you what kind. You've heard about muscle loss but aren't sure how to prevent it. That's exactly where we come in. We'll build your strength training habit from scratch.
You've been on GLP-1 medication for 3-6 months and the scale stopped moving. The weight loss plateau is real, and it usually hits around this point. Your body has adapted. A structured training programme and adjusted nutrition plan breaks through it.
You're planning to stop your medication and you're worried about regaining weight. Smart. The exit strategy matters more than the medication itself. We build the muscle foundation and daily habits that keep results permanent.
You're over 40 or 50 and on GLP-1, and muscle preservation isn't optional for you. It's urgent. Sarcopenia risk goes up with age, and GLP-1 medications accelerate it. Our senior personal trainers in Dubai design safe, progressive programmes for older clients.
You're a woman who prefers a female trainer for cultural or comfort reasons. Many of our GLP-1 clients are women. Our female personal trainers understand hormonal changes, body image concerns, and the privacy preferences that matter to you.
Take Nadia from Dubai Hills Estate. She'd been on Mounjaro for four months when she came to us. The scale said she'd lost 11kg, but her clothes still didn't fit right and she felt weaker climbing stairs. Her body composition scan showed why: almost half of what she'd lost was muscle. Within 12 weeks of training 3x per week with her trainer Ahmed and following a protein-focused meal plan from her dietitian, she'd dropped another 6kg of pure fat while actually gaining 2kg of lean mass. Completely different shape. Or consider James from JBR, a 52-year-old finance executive who started Ozempic after his doctor flagged pre-diabetes. He'd never touched a weight in his life. His trainer Ons started him with bodyweight movements and light dumbbells. Six months later, he's deadlifting 80kg, his HbA1c is normal, and he's tapering off the medication with his doctor's support.
Your trainer arrives at your door (or apartment gym, or villa garden) with a full equipment setup: TRX suspension trainer, resistance bands, dumbbells up to 20kg, a yoga mat, and a body composition scale. No gym required. No commute.
The first 15 minutes are an assessment. Your trainer runs a Functional Movement Screen to identify any mobility restrictions, muscle imbalances, or injury risks. They'll ask about your Mounjaro or Ozempic dosage, how many weeks you've been on it, your injection day, and which side effects you've experienced. This isn't a generic fitness test. It's specific to GLP-1 users.
Next, your trainer walks you through your first strength training session. It's lighter than you'd expect. The goal on day one is to learn the movement patterns (squats, hinges, presses, rows) with proper form, not to crush you. Most GLP-1 clients are surprised by how manageable it feels.
Before the session ends, your trainer schedules your weekly sessions around your injection day. Most clients train on days 3-7 post-injection, when energy is highest and nausea is lowest. You'll also get a login to our tracking app where your dietitian will review your meals daily.
That first week, your clinical dietitian reaches out separately. They'll review your current eating patterns, set your protein target (usually 1.2-1.6g per kg to start), and create your first meal plan. If nausea is a problem, they'll adjust meal sizes and timing immediately.
Here's something our trainer Don tells every new GLP-1 client on day one: "Forget everything you've seen on Instagram. We're not here to destroy you. We're here to build a foundation you'll keep for years." Most clients finish their first session surprised by how manageable it was. That's intentional. The goal isn't soreness. It's consistency. You can't build a training habit if you dread every session.
Our trainers cover every major residential community in Dubai. No area is too far. We bring all equipment to your preferred location, whether that's your living room, building gym, villa garden, or a nearby park.
Dubai Hills Estate and Arabian Ranches: Our busiest areas for GLP-1 clients. Villa gardens give us space for full-body resistance training with dumbbells, kettlebells, and TRX. During Dubai's summer months (June through September, when temperatures hit 45C+), we move sessions indoors to air-conditioned home gyms or living rooms.
Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and DIFC: Apartment gym sessions are the norm here. Your trainer maximises the available equipment and supplements with portable gear. Early morning (6am-8am) and evening (7pm-9pm) slots are the most popular with working professionals on Mounjaro.
Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, and Palm Jumeirah: A mix of villa and apartment clients. Beach-side outdoor sessions are popular October through April. We also serve Emirates Hills, Al Barsha, and The Springs.
Dubai Marina, JBR, and JLT: Compact apartment living means many clients here prefer outdoor group training in parks or along the Marina Walk. Buddy training is popular with couples in these areas.
Mirdif, Sports City, JVC, and Damac Hills: Growing communities with younger families. Many clients here train at home with kids nearby. We keep sessions focused and efficient, typically 60 minutes including warmup and cooldown.
During Ramadan, we shift to post-Iftar scheduling with sessions available from 9pm to 11pm. Your dietitian adjusts your meal plan for Suhoor and Iftar nutrition, with extra attention to protein timing and hydration for GLP-1 users who are fasting.
Dubai Hills Estate is currently our most active area for GLP-1 clients. The community's villa gardens and building gyms make it ideal for private, equipment-based strength training. Arabian Ranches and Jumeirah are close behind. We've seen a sharp increase in enquiries from Downtown and Business Bay since early 2026, mostly working professionals in their 30s and 40s who were prescribed Mounjaro by clinics in Healthcare City and DIFC.
