GLP-1 Strength Training
In Denver Colorado
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro can make weight loss feel possible again. But the number on the scale only tells you how much weight you lost. It doesn’t tell you how much of that was fat and how much was muscle.
At Get Back PT & Performance, we help people using GLP-1 medications build a strength training and nutrition plan that supports weight loss without letting strength and muscle become an afterthought.
The goal isn’t just to get smaller. We want you to come out of the process stronger, more capable, and better prepared to maintain the progress you’ve made.
Is GLP-1 Strength Training Right for You?
Everyone responds differently to these medications.
Some people feel great and have no problem staying active. Others deal with nausea, low energy, a dramatically smaller appetite, or simply feel unsure about how hard they should be exercising while losing weight.
This service may be a good fit if:
You’re currently taking a GLP-1 medication or getting ready to start one
You’re losing weight but starting to feel weaker
Your appetite is so low that getting enough protein feels like a chore
You’ve never done strength training and don’t know where to begin
Pain or an old injury has made you hesitant to exercise
You used to lift but have fallen out of the habit
You want to preserve muscle while losing weight
You want a plan you can maintain whether you stay on the medication or eventually come off
Weight loss is only part of the picture. How you feel, move, and function during that process matters too.
Why Strength Training Matters on a GLP-1
When you lose a significant amount of weight, some of that loss can come from lean mass in addition to body fat.
That isn’t unique to GLP-1 medications. It can happen with weight loss in general, especially when calories and protein intake drop quickly.
Strength training gives your body a reason to hold onto muscle.
Protein matters too. Together, resistance training and adequate protein intake can help support strength, muscle mass, bone health, balance, and your ability to keep doing the things you enjoy while your body weight changes.
This becomes even more important when your appetite is suppressed enough that you’re eating much less than you used to.
You don’t need an extreme workout routine. You need consistent strength training that matches your current fitness level, recovery, and energy.
How We Train Clients Using GLP-1 Medications
Training at Get Back starts by figuring out where you are now.
We look at your current strength, exercise experience, injury history, goals, schedule, and how the medication is affecting things like appetite and energy. Then we build from there.
Your plan may include:
A baseline strength assessment so we can track more than just body weight
Progressive resistance training designed around your experience level
A plan for training two to three or more days per week, depending on your goals and schedule
Nutrition coaching focused on realistic protein intake
Strategies for training around lower-energy days or medication side effects
Modifications for old injuries, joint pain, or movements that haven’t felt good in the past
A combination of coached sessions and independent workouts
Tracking strength, energy, training consistency, and other meaningful progress markers over time
Some clients want every workout coached. Others want us to build the program, teach them what to do, and gradually become more independent.
Both are fine.
Someone who has never touched a dumbbell needs a very different plan than someone who used to lift four days a week and wants to get back to it.
The plan should match the person.
Strength Training Without Ignoring Pain or Injuries
One of the biggest reasons people avoid strength training is that something already hurts.
Maybe your knees don’t like squats. Maybe your back has kept you away from deadlifts. Maybe you had surgery years ago and never really felt comfortable getting back into the gym.
That doesn’t automatically mean those movements are off limits forever.
Because Get Back combines physical therapy and personal training, we can adjust exercises around pain and limitations rather than simply telling you to stop training.
The goal is to find what you can do now and gradually build from there.
Nutrition Coaching That Fits a Smaller Appetite
Eating enough protein can get surprisingly difficult when your appetite drops.
We can help you figure out a realistic protein target and identify foods, meals, and routines that make it easier to reach without feeling like you’re force-feeding yourself all day.
This isn’t about creating a perfect meal plan.
It’s about making sure your nutrition supports the strength training you’re doing and the results you’re trying to maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can. Some lean mass loss is common during significant weight loss, whether medication is involved or not. Strength training and adequate protein intake are two of the best tools we have for helping maintain muscle while body weight comes down.
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For most people who are medically cleared to exercise, strength training can be a really useful part of the process. It helps support muscle, strength, bone health, and physical function while you’re losing weight. The exact program should still match your experience level and how you’re feeling.
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You don’t have to force a hard workout on a day when you feel terrible. We can adjust training around the days you typically feel best, reduce intensity when needed, and help you find a schedule that is actually realistic.
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There isn’t one perfect number for everyone. Your needs depend on things like your body size, activity level, goals, and overall diet. We can help you establish a realistic target and figure out how to hit it even when your appetite is lower than usual.
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For many people, two to three strength sessions per week is a realistic place to start. Some people will do more, while others need to begin with less. Consistency matters more than immediately jumping into an aggressive training schedule.
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Yes. You do not need any previous gym experience. We start with where you are now, teach you the basics, and build your strength gradually. You’re not expected to walk in already knowing how to squat, deadlift, or use every machine in the gym.
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Usually, yes, although the program may need to be modified. Since Get Back also provides physical therapy, we’re able to look at pain and injuries in the context of your training rather than automatically telling you to avoid exercise altogether.
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Yes. Get Back PT & Performance offers one-on-one strength training in Denver for people taking GLP-1 medications who want to maintain muscle, get stronger, and build a sustainable exercise routine while losing weight.
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No. Personal training does not require a referral. We do recommend keeping your prescribing provider informed about your exercise routine and any significant changes in how you’re feeling.
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Strength training can be an important part of maintaining long-term health and fitness regardless of whether you continue taking the medication. Building a consistent exercise routine while you’re losing weight gives you something sustainable to carry forward afterward.
Our Team
Dr. Brett Green
Founder | Physical Therapist & Personal Trainer
Brett Green, PT, DPT, is the founder of Get Back PT & Performance in Denver. He created Get Back to bridge the gap between rehab and getting back to the things people actually enjoy, whether that’s running, lifting, sports, or everyday life.
His approach combines physical therapy, strength training, and performance to help clients feel better, get stronger, and keep moving forward.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Sam Heller
Sam Heller is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Personal Trainer with more than a decade of coaching experience. He combines strength training and rehab to help clients move better, build confidence, and stay active, especially when pain or uncertainty around exercise gets in the way.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys biking, lifting, and keeping up with his young son.
Get Back to Doing What You Love
Whether you want to return to the gym, running, hiking, skiing, sports, or simply get through your day more comfortably, we’ll help you figure out a plan that makes sense.