The Promise of a Medical-Fitness Integration

Last year, Sarah (last name withheld for privacy) began injections of GLP-1 on the advice of her doctor. She quickly surpassed her weight-loss goal but found it challenging to maintain her new weight and was uncomfortable with the side effects of the drug.

“At the beginning, I wish my doctor had provided advice on things like diet and exercise,” she says.

That’s where qualified health and exercise professionals play such an important role. They can help people develop a personalized plan that includes regular physical activity—especially resistance training—along with sound nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, and other healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., CEO of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), is an industry authority who has seen this process play out without intervention from health and fitness professionals trained to work with GLP-1 patients.

“If healthy habits haven’t been established during treatment, maintaining weight loss after stopping the medication can be much more difficult,” he notes.

ACE is one of many training organizations that offer specialized education and instruction courses on working with people on weight-loss medications. Bryant believes that exercise and nutritional guidance are critical to helping these patients build healthy habits that carry over far after the final dose.

“These medications create a valuable window of opportunity when people can build the exercise, nutrition, and behavioral habits that support long-term health—not just short-term weight loss,” Bryant says. “Successful outcomes require individualized care, appropriate dosing, monitoring, and ongoing adjustments based on each patient's needs and goals.”

A Menu of Services

In-Shape introduced the program to all 63 clubs a year ago through leadership training with its general managers and assistant general managers, followed by club signage, member communications, and an online Wellness Workshop.

“The rollout has been smooth,” Karr says. “Member response has been encouraging, particularly as demand for medical wellness and GLP-1 therapies grows.”

Members enjoy access to the full suite of KORB Health's comprehensive wellness programs, including personalized GLP-1 medical weight loss treatments, such as the popular semaglutide, women's health, men's health, medical weight management, and functional health and longevity. Program pricing varies, based on the services:

• GLP-1 Medical Weight Management: Member price for semaglutide is $199 per month throughout treatment; tirzepatide starts at $249 per month, with prices increasing as titration (concentration of active substance) increases.

• Functional Health and Longevity (peptides): Member price starting at $199/month

• Men’s Health and Hormone Optimization: Starting at $399/quarter

• Women’s Health and Hormone Optimization: Starting at $220/quarter

• Hair Growth: $99 per quarter

“We provide ongoing support through telehealth visits, digital resources, webinars, community engagement, and direct communication with our care team,” Appel says. “Our goal is to help patients understand the medications and how to create lasting health improvements.”

A Solid Partnership

In-Shape had been exploring ways to expand its wellness offerings for some time, Karr explains.

“We wanted to partner with a provider that could help us stay at the forefront of the industry while maintaining the high standards our members expect," he says. "KORB was one of several companies we evaluated. Their approach to member care, emphasis on accessibility, and commitment to supporting healthier lifestyles closely matched our mission.”

Karr adds: “KORB impressed us with the range of its wellness services and the seamless experience it provides from start to finish. Just as importantly, our organizations share similar values around helping people achieve better health.”

Appel stresses that these partnerships work best when the facility's staff has a more holistic focus when serving members.

“The In-Shape team understands that fitness is about much more than exercise; it’s about creating an environment that supports healthier lifestyles and long-term behavior change,” Appel says. “They’ve built a strong culture focused on helping members improve their quality of life, which aligns closely with KORB Health's mission.”

Operators interested in developing partnerships with medical health providers should make sure it's what their members want. More importantly, find a healthcare partner who is aligned with your brand identity.

“Take the time to understand member needs and find a healthcare partner whose values align with yours,” Karr says. “A successful partnership should feel like a natural extension of your brand, delivering a seamless experience while complementing, rather than replacing, the role that fitness plays in improving health. When both organizations share a commitment to member outcomes and quality of care, the partnership becomes meaningful.”

Appel agrees. “Partnerships succeed when fitness operators and healthcare providers view each other as complementary parts of the wellness journey. Fitness facilities bring community, coaching, accountability, and behavior change. Medical providers bring clinical expertise, diagnostics, and evidence-based treatment. When these worlds combine, members receive a more complete solution and create value for everyone involved. The future of wellness is not fitness or healthcare; it’s fitness and healthcare working together.”