A New Weight Loss Era Demands a New Kind of Coach—ISSA Responds with GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has announced the launch of its comprehensive GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training, designed to equip personal trainers, health coaches, and fitness professionals with the tools to safely, confidently, and holistically support clients using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. With projections from Morgan Stanley Research estimating that over 24 million Americans will be using prescription weight loss medications by 2035, ISSA’s new course fills a critical gap in the health and fitness industry—not just by explaining the medications, but by addressing the emotional, behavioral, and physical transformations clients experience during rapid weight loss.

"The weight loss landscape is changing dramatically, and trainers need more than science - they need strategies to best help their clients succeed" shared 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."

While other programs may focus primarily on the clinical or pharmacological side of GLP-1 medications, ISSA’s course takes a whole-person approach, combining insights from exercise science, health coaching, and emotional wellness to guide sustainable change.

What Sets ISSA Apart?

• Behavioral & Emotional Coaching Integration: Helps trainers support clients facing emotional eating, body image shifts, and motivation hurdles.

• Muscle Preservation Focus: According to Harvard Health Publishing, some GLP-1 users have lost over 20% of their body weight in a year. 

• Scope of Practice Clarity: Empowers trainers to avoid overstepping medical bounds while offering high-impact support.

• Health Coach-Informed Design: Developed in collaboration with the Health Coach Institute, the course trains professionals in behavioral change and coaching psychology—critical for long-term success.

"GLP-1 medications can be valuable tools, but true, lasting transformation requires more than a prescription," said Brooke Jeffries, MS, CN, NBC-HWC, Health Coach Institute’s Pathway Program Director, powered by ISSA. "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 released by Harvard Health Publishing identified ‘that in some studies, participants using GLP-1s have lost an average of 10% to 15% of their body weight over a year’ and that ‘the most effective GLP-1 medications can lead to weight loss of over 20% of body weight.’

The course provides fitness and wellness professionals with:

• The science of GLP-1 medications and their effects on the body

• Defining and protecting your professional scope   

• Providing emotional and behavioral support

• Adapting exercise program to client needs

• Designing personalized training plans

• Supporting long-term maintenance and tapering  

"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. "By mastering these specialized skills, fitness and health professionals can stand out in a competitive market while making a profound difference in their clients' lives."

The GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training joins ISSA’s growing library of over 50 health and wellness specializations, and is ideal for professionals who want to differentiate themselves in a competitive market while delivering meaningful client outcomes. Additional information about the program is available at https://www.issaonline.com/certification/glp-1-weight-loss.