GLP-1 weight loss drugs have become a useful tool for those struggling to lose weight. In the latest Arnold’s Pump Club newsletter, shared on July 10, 2025, Arnold Schwarzenegger discussed whether GLP-1 medications destroy muscle and blunt metabolism.
Healthy weight maintenance and body composition are two aspects of wellness that Schwarzenegger is focused on. Having claimed the Mr. Olympia title seven times, he knows how effective exercise and diet can be, but there could be another method to lose weight sustainably.
Enter Wegovy and Ozempic, GLP-1 drugs designed to help users shed unwanted weight. Given their rising popularity, “The Austrian Oak” is tackling how and why these tools might be the missing link for someone’s journey to better living.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Says ‘You’re Not Doomed to Lose Muscle’ Taking GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
In the newsletter, Schwarzenegger discussed whether GLP-1 drugs can tank metabolism and cause users to lose excessive muscle. According to the bodybuilding legend, the muscle loss from these medications is ‘preventable’ and ‘often overstated.’
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“Do GLP-1’s Destroy Your Muscle?
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are all over your feed — and so are the warnings. Critics say you’ll lose more muscle than fat and tank your metabolism for good. But is that the whole story?Although muscle loss can happen, it’s preventable and often overstated.”
For those struggling with obesity, Schwarzenegger highlighted the game-changing nature of GLP-1 drugs:
“Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) is a breakthrough for weight loss and metabolic health, especially for people struggling with obesity.
In clinical trials, people using semaglutide lost about 30 percent of their total weight, primarily from lean mass. This may sound alarming, but it is a normal occurrence when people lose a significant amount of weight, not just with medication.”
He explained that even individuals who adhere to calorie-restriction programs lose a similar amount of lean mass compared to those who use these medications.
“Even traditional calorie-restriction nutrition programs show similar percentages of lean mass loss. In other words, it’s not unique to Ozempic.
But here’s what’s missed in the social media panic: you’re not doomed to lose muscle.”
In the study examined by Schwarzenegger, he revealed that taking GLP-1 in tandem with a high-protein diet and resistance training preserved muscle while still helping to lose fat.
“Participants who combined semaglutide (GLP-1) with a high-protein diet and resistance training preserved significantly more muscle while still losing substantial fat mass.
And metabolism? Another oversimplified scare tactic. Semaglutide helps reduce appetite and improve insulin sensitivity. While extreme caloric restriction can suppress resting metabolic rate, semaglutide’s effect appears to be more modest and manageable, especially when combined with strength training and a balanced diet.”
To help preserve muscle tissue and strength, Schwarzenegger said to prioritize resistance training and eat enough protein.
“When you lose a significant amount of weight, you can lose muscle if you don’t prioritize resistance training or eat enough protein.
However, the solution is straightforward: lift weights, aim for at least 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of your target body weight, and prioritize nutrient-dense foods. You’ll keep your strength, protect your metabolism, and make the most of modern medicine, without falling for fear-based clickbait.”
The GLP-1 drug craze isn’t just affecting morbidly obese people; even Hollywood actors are interested in it. Recently, American entertainer Tracy Morgan opened up on his weight loss transformation, sharing that Ozempic helped him not only drop fat, but it also cut his appetite in half.
GLP-1 weight loss drugs are an exciting pharmaceutical that could bring massive changes on the horizon. While they do result in some muscle loss, Schwarzenegger emphasizes that it is inevitable with any dietary plan.
RELATED: Stephen A. Smith Talks Body Transformation: ‘No Ozempic, No Steroids, Just Hard Work’
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