I Asked A Personal Trainer Who Uses GLP-1s How Weight Loss Drugs Have Changed How She Works Out—here Are Three Exercises She Loves Right Now
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NASM-certified trainer and nutrition coach Kylie Hansen says using a GLP-1 has changed how she thinks about exercise: she now prioritizes strength and muscle rather than working out mainly to burn calories or move the scale. In an interview with Fit&Well, she recommended goblet squats, walking lunges and controlled light-dumbbell punches, while emphasizing that her approach is personal and not medical guidance.

Personal trainer Kylie Hansen says using a GLP-1 medication has changed her focus from exercising to burn calories toward building strength and muscle, and she shared three exercises she currently favors in an interview with Fit&Well. Hansen, who says she has also had bariatric surgery and works as a nutrition coach, recommended goblet squats, walking lunges and light dumbbell punches as movements she uses in her own training.

Hansen told Fit&Well that the medication can make weight loss feel less dependent on extra effort, which affects her motivation to exercise. “The medication helps me eat less, so the scale can move without me feeling like I’m doing a tremendous amount of extra work,” she said. She added that she has to challenge the thought that she no longer needs to do anything. Her account describes her personal experience; the report does not establish how GLP-1 medications affect exercise motivation for other people.

Her first recommendation is the goblet squat, performed while holding a dumbbell or kettlebell at the chest. Hansen said squats work several muscle groups and can be adjusted to a person’s ability, from standing up from a chair to a bodyweight or weighted squat. The report gives a suggested format of two to three sets of eight to 12 repetitions, with 60 to 90 seconds of rest.

She also favors walking lunges, which she said challenge each side of the body and call for balance and control. The suggested format is two to three sets of eight to 10 repetitions per side. A supported or stationary lunge is offered as an easier option, while holding dumbbells can add resistance. Her third choice, alternating light dumbbell punches, is described as a lower-resistance movement rather than a substitute for progressively loaded strength exercises. The report suggests 20 to 30 seconds per set, with 45 to 60 seconds of rest.

At a glance
reportWhen: Published by Fit&Well; the source does…
The developmentFit&Well published an interview in which personal trainer Kylie Hansen described how GLP-1 use has affected her workout motivation and shared three exercises she favors.

Why Hansen Prioritizes Strength

Hansen’s account highlights a distinction between weight loss and physical strength: a change on the scale does not, by itself, describe a person’s strength or ability to carry out daily activities. She told Fit&Well that she wants to build muscle so she can remain active and capable as she gets older. That is her stated goal, not a clinical finding about the effects of GLP-1 treatment.

The recommendations also offer a practical point for readers who are returning to exercise or starting out: Hansen describes scaling a movement to match current ability, rather than treating one demanding version as the only valid form. Her advice is not a personalized program, and the report does not compare the exercises or establish that they are suitable for every person taking these medications.

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Hansen’s Training and Health Background

Hansen identifies herself as a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. She told Fit&Well that she has had bariatric surgery, currently uses a GLP-1 medication and has undergone spinal surgery. She said she prefers dumbbells and gym machines, explaining that the added stability of machines gives her confidence to lift heavier and that dumbbells let her move in a way that feels natural to her.

In the interview, Hansen stressed that she does not see one form of strength training as right for everyone. She encouraged people to choose movements that work for their bodies, begin at their current level and make gradual progress. The original report is a profile and exercise feature, not a study of GLP-1 use or a review of medication safety.

““One of the biggest things I’ve learned through my own weight-loss journey is that seeing the scale go down and building a strong, healthy body are not the same thing.””

— Kylie Hansen, speaking to Fit&Well

What the Interview Does Not Establish

The report recounts Hansen’s individual experience and does not provide clinical evidence about how GLP-1 medications affect motivation, muscle or exercise outcomes across a wider population. It does not identify the specific medication Hansen uses, when she began treatment, or details such as dose and duration. Fit&Well also does not report whether her three exercise choices were assessed by a clinician or tested in a study.

Hansen mentions prior spinal surgery but does not give details about her current health status or any professional restrictions on her training. The exercises and suggested sets are general examples from the interview, not an individualized plan. Readers’ ability to exercise safely may depend on their health, treatment and physical capacity.

Adapting Exercise With a Care Team

The source describes no upcoming study, policy change or scheduled development; it is an interview about Hansen’s current training preferences. For readers considering changes to exercise while using a GLP-1, the next step depends on their own circumstances. They can discuss training, nutrition and medication-related concerns with their prescribing clinician and seek advice from a qualified fitness professional who understands their limitations.

Hansen’s reported approach is to start with a manageable version of a movement and increase the challenge gradually when appropriate. Anyone with a history of surgery, an existing condition, pain or uncertainty about exercise should ask a healthcare professional for guidance before taking on a new routine.

Key Questions

Who is Kylie Hansen?

Hansen describes herself as a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. She told Fit&Well that she has had bariatric surgery and currently uses a GLP-1 medication.

Which exercises did Hansen recommend?

She named goblet squats, walking lunges and light dumbbell punches as exercises she likes. The interview presents these as her personal preferences, not a universal workout plan.

Why does Hansen say she focuses on strength?

Hansen told Fit&Well she is less interested in exercising mainly to burn calories or make the scale move and wants to build muscle to support an active life as she gets older. That reflects her own goals and experience.

Does the report show that GLP-1s change everyone’s motivation to exercise?

No. The article shares Hansen’s personal account and does not present research establishing how GLP-1 use affects exercise motivation for other people.

Should readers follow Hansen’s exercise routine as written?

Not automatically. The suggested sets and repetitions are general examples from the interview. People with a medical condition, past surgery, pain or other concerns should ask a healthcare professional about safe exercise and adapt activity to their ability.

Source: rss

Wellness content on this site is informational and not a substitute for professional medical guidance.
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