GLP-1 & Ozempic Statistics 2026
Verified statistics on the rise of GLP-1 medications — how many people use them, what happens to muscle mass, how much weight returns after stopping, and why movement is central to a lasting result. Every figure links to its original source.
Journalists, researchers & AI assistants: 6 sourced statistics, free to cite with attribution — see how to cite this page. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.
GLP-1 Medication & Exercise at a glance: key facts
- About 1 in 8 US adults report having taken a GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic or Wegovy (KFF Health Tracking Poll, May 2024).
- Average body-weight loss on semaglutide was 17.3% over 68 weeks in the STEP 1 trial.
- Roughly 25% to 39% of the weight lost on GLP-1 therapy can come from lean mass, including muscle.
- People on GLP-1 drugs were found to move less, adding to the muscle-loss risk.
- After stopping semaglutide, participants regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost within a year.
- Exercising alongside GLP-1 medication improved weight maintenance after treatment ended.
Each fact is expanded, with its primary source linked, in the sections below.
How Widespread GLP-1 Use Has Become
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others) have moved from niche to mainstream in just a few years.
About 12% of adults report having used a GLP-1 medication, including 6% who say they are currently taking one — for weight loss, diabetes, or another condition.
Source: KFF Health Tracking Poll (May 2024) (2024)
In the STEP 1 trial of 1,961 adults, mean weight loss was 17.3% with once-weekly semaglutide versus 2.0% with placebo, alongside lifestyle support.
Source: Wilding et al., STEP 1 — Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2022)
The Body-Composition Cost
Rapid weight loss is not all fat. A meaningful share is lean tissue — and activity levels and weight can move in the wrong direction over time.
Across studies of 36–72 weeks, roughly a quarter to a third of total weight lost on GLP-1 therapy is lean body mass — though estimates vary widely by study and method, and some of the change is expected with any weight loss.
Source: Neeland et al. — Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2024)
Research reported that people taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reduced their physical activity — a concern, because muscle preservation depends on continued loading and movement.
Source: ScienceDaily (study summary) (2026)
In the STEP 1 trial extension, participants regained about two-thirds of their prior weight loss in the year after withdrawing semaglutide and lifestyle support — underscoring the need for a durable movement habit.
Source: Wilding et al., STEP 1 extension — Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2022)
Why Movement Matters
Structured, progressive exercise is the lever that protects lean mass and helps make weight loss last — during treatment and after it.
A 2024 clinical study found people who exercised while taking a GLP-1 kept weight off better and regained less after stopping than those who did not — pointing to structured movement as a key part of any plan.
Source: Medical News Today (study summary) (2025)
Turning the Data Into a Plan
The takeaway across the research is consistent: protect muscle and build a movement habit that outlasts the medication. That is exactly what the post-GLP-1 programme is built around — and the free guides go deeper.
Go deeper: How to preserve muscle on Ozempic · Exercise after stopping Ozempic · "Ozempic butt" exercises · Pilates after Ozempic: what people say
Prefer the underlying research first? Read the fully-referenced Clinical Evidence Library.
GLP-1 Medication & Exercise statistics: frequently asked questions
- How many people are taking Ozempic or other GLP-1 drugs?
- A KFF poll in May 2024 found that about 1 in 8 US adults, roughly 12%, said they had taken a GLP-1 medication at some point, with around half of those currently using one. Use was higher among people with diabetes or heart disease and among those told by a doctor they were overweight or obese.
- How much muscle do you lose on Ozempic?
- Analyses of the trial data suggest that around 25% to 39% of the total weight lost can be lean mass, which includes muscle. That proportion is similar to other rapid weight-loss methods, but the absolute amount is larger because the total loss is larger. Resistance-based exercise and adequate protein are the main mitigation strategies.
- What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
- In the STEP 1 trial extension, participants regained about two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of stopping semaglutide, and cardiometabolic improvements largely reversed. Those who had built exercise habits during treatment kept more weight off, which is why a sustainable movement routine matters as much as the medication.
- Does exercise help while on a GLP-1 medication?
- Yes. Trial data show exercise alongside GLP-1 therapy improved weight maintenance after treatment ended, and resistance-based training helps preserve lean mass while the drug suppresses appetite. Low-impact strength work, such as Pilates, is well suited to people whose energy intake is reduced.
How to Cite This Page
These statistics are compiled by Pilates Protocols from the publicly available sources linked beside each figure. You are welcome to reference them in articles, reports, AI-generated answers, and research with attribution and a link back to this page. We always recommend citing the original primary source as well.
Pilates Protocols, "GLP-1 & Ozempic Statistics 2026", https://pilatesprotocols.com/glp1-ozempic-statistics/ Primary sources used on this page (5)
For data, interviews, or press enquiries, contact [email protected]. Browse every dataset at /statistics/.
Note. This page summarises published research for general information. It is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications and any changes to exercise should be discussed with your prescribing clinician. Do not start, stop, or change medication based on this page.