Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 weight loss drugs have become the talk among people who want to lose weight. They started out as drugs to manage type 2 diabetes. While they’re still used for this purpose, many people are turning to them because they help with weight loss. The trend has even made its way into the sports community, as runners, cyclists, and other endurance athletes are counting on GLP-1 drugs to help them lose weight.
The idea behind this sounds simple. Drop weight and move faster. However, things aren’t as straightforward as it may seem. In this guide, we’ll dive into the benefits and risks, and some key details you need to know before you opt decide to try Ozempic for athletes.
Ozempic for Athletes: Understanding Why It’s Different
Ozempic is a prescription drug that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It was designed to help with the management of type 2 diabetes. The drug is classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. When you take it, it increases insulin, reduces blood sugar levels, and slows stomach emptying.
For an obese person, this is excellent. Not only does it help with insulin resistance, but the slowing of stomach emptying means you’ll feel full for longer. Ozempic is also known to help suppress appetite. This leads to a reduction in food intake, lower calories, and makes it easier to lose weight.
Athletes, on the other hand, need to take a couple of things into consideration. When it comes to Ozempic for athletes, it may be useful for reducing body weight. This makes the athlete lighter, which could result in better performance on the track.
However, for athletes, slower stomach emptying can mean issues with the absorption of carbs. When athletes need to be at the top of their game, carb loading is usually the preferred option for endurance. Slow carbohydrate absorption can hinder your performance, as you can’t get the full energy and stamina benefits you expect.
Potential Benefits of Ozempic for Athletes
There are benefits and risks that athletes need to understand before opting for Ozempic, Wegovy, or other GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Let’s start by reviewing some of the benefits.
Power-to-Weight Ratio
First of all, there’s the power-to-weight ratio. While on a flat surface there’s not as much focus on power-to-weight ratio, athletes who participate in cycling, running, and other endurance sports often have to navigate uneven surfaces, such as uphills.
Think of it this way. If there are two athletes with the exact same power output, but their weight differs, who will reach the end of the uphill first? The lighter person.
GLP-1 drugs may help endurance athletes drop that last few pounds they’re trying to lose. It can do this without the hunger that these athletes often have to endure when training season arrives.
Lower Impact on Joints
It’s important to note that the lost weight is about more than just giving the athlete more speed. Think about the impact your weight has on joints. This is where impact comes into the picture, as your joints have to absorb force every time your foot hits the road. This applies especially to runners.
Extra weight means joints have to endure more force. The GLP-1 weight loss benefits help to reduce this impact on your joints, which could potentially reduce the risk of injuries.
Reduced Inflammation
There are other ways in which Ozempic can benefit athletes as well. Recently, research has started to emerge related to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, potentially reducing systemic inflammation in the body.
One research paper refers to these drugs as a multifaceted anti-inflammatory agent. The research explains that GLP-1 drugs seem to have a positive impact on inflammation, as well as apoptosis. This reduction in inflammation can actually be very helpful for athletes.
When you train or run a marathon or take part in a cycling competition, your muscles get inflamed. As you work your way to the end of the track, your muscles experience micro-damage and are placed under stress. After your session, your muscles need to recover, and inflammation can hinder this process.
By producing an anti-inflammatory effect in your body, it adds to the potential benefits you may experience when you take GLP-1 weight loss drugs. This may help to aid the recovery process of your muscles.
Harvard Health Publishing also explored this topic after a 2025 study published its results. It’s now known that the anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1 medications offer systemic benefits. The study showed a reduction between 10% and 20% in lung failure, pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, lung failure, heart failure, and cardiac arrest among people who used GLP-1 drugs.
Performance Risks of Ozempic for Athletes
Now that we’ve taken a closer look at the benefits of Ozempic for athletes, we should also consider the performance risks. As I’ve said earlier, the connection between GLP-1 weight loss drugs and endurance athletes isn’t straightforward.
One of the biggest issues you may experience while on Ozempic is a failure with your carb-loading strategy. A carb load is common among endurance athletes, especially when you plan a very long ride or run.
Ozempic makes your stomach empty more slowly than usual. This means carb loading isn’t going to work the same for you while you’re on these drugs.
There’s also a risk of muscle loss, which is something you should keep in mind as you navigate the risks and benefits of Ozempic for athletes. When you lose weight quickly, it’s often not only going to be body fat. As an endurance athlete, you’re already burning through a lot of calories. This brings up the concern of Ozempic muscle wasting.
Some research suggests that athletes need to be careful about fluid loss and dehydration. This has also become a serious concern, especially since GLP-1 drugs can actually reduce thirst. It makes it harder for endurance athletes to know when they are really thirsty and, in turn, can result in dehydration.
When dehydration occurs, your performance is going to decline rapidly. It’s not just about fluid loss, but also the fact that you’ll lose electrolytes. When you lose too many electrolytes, you might end up with muscle cramps.
Using Ozempic Safely as an Endurance Athlete
If you’re looking to lose weight with Ozempic as an endurance athlete, it’s important to learn how you can do so safely. Timing your dose and understanding what steps to take to limit the risks is crucial.
When you take Ozempic, understand that the half-life is around seven days. Side effects, particularly fatigue and nausea, tend to peak in the first day or two. Don’t take your dose too close to a race or training session. Side effects like nausea might impact your performance. Some athletes also prefer to skip their dose of Ozempic during a race week. This gives your body a chance to perform better during a competition or an intense training session.
Here are some tips that can help you reduce your risks and maximize your benefits on Ozempic or another GLP-1 weight loss drug:
- Liquid: Solid food will remain in your stomach for longer when you take Ozempic. Consider switching to high-carb drinks. Slip them slowly, as they will digest faster compared to solid foods.
- Protein: A strong focus on protein is also really important when you’re on Ozempic. This can help to mitigate the risk of Ozempic muscle loss. Focus on getting about 1.6g to 2.0g of protein for each kg of body weight. This is your daily dose. Spread it out in your meals for the day.
- Hydration schedule: You’ll need a hydration schedule as drinking to thirst is not going to work properly when you take a GLP-1 drug. Set a schedule and consider adding an electrolyte mix to your water.
- Strength training: The risk of muscle loss as you lose weight is real and shouldn’t be overlooked. Focus on incorporating some strength training into your exercise routine. This can help to build up muscle mass.
FAQ: Ozempic and Athletic Performance
Is Ozempic banned by WADA?
In short, no. Ozempic is not on the WADA Prohibited List. It’s considered legal to use for now, as long as you have a valid prescription.
Why is my heart rate higher during easy runs?
Many athletes notice a slightly higher heart rate when they’re on Ozempic or other types of GLP-1 drugs. This is a common side effect. In most cases, adjusting your training zones is an effective strategy until your body adjusts to the medication.
Will I lose muscle mass while on Ozempic?
Possibly, yes. This is a common problem for endurance athletes. However, adding more protein to your diet and incorporating strength training workouts can help to avoid muscle loss on Ozempic.
Conclusion
Ozempic has become a popular choice for endurance athletes who want to maximize their performance. While it can help shed a few extra pounds and even offer additional benefits, there are performance risks and side effects you shouldn’t overlook. Weigh the pros and cons, and talk to a healthcare professional to determine if it’s a good choice for you. This way, you’ll make an informed choice and can take it under medical supervision.
References
https://www.ozempic.com/why-ozempic/how-ozempic-works.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10230051/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/do-glp-1-drugs-reduce-inflammation
