Obesity Medication Costs Half as Much as a Month of PT
Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency Attract Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Every year, many people set weight loss as their New Year's resolution. Traditionally, those trying to lose weight have relied on diet and exercise, but this year, "injections" have been added to the mix. This is due to the popularization of Wegovy and Mounjaro, often called "dream obesity treatments."
On December 21, Yonhap News reported on the current state of gyms, which are seeing changes due to the advent of obesity treatments. According to the report, an increasing number of people now believe that getting obesity treatment injections such as Wegovy is more efficient than spending money on personal training (PT) at the gym.
The main reason consumers are turning to medication instead of exercise is cost-effectiveness and efficiency. According to the fitness industry, the price of ten personal training sessions (over five weeks) in the Gangnam area is between 600,000 and 800,000 won. With a month of combined diet and exercise, people typically lose 2 to 3 kilograms. In contrast, a month’s supply of obesity medication costs between 300,000 and 400,000 won. The price is about half, yet there are many testimonials of losing 4 to 6 kilograms in just one month. As word spreads about these results, interest is growing not only among young people but also among middle-aged and older adults.
A 28-year-old broadcaster surnamed Lee, who lost 9 kilograms over six months with Wegovy, said she registered at a gym but never went. She explained, “After the injection, my appetite decreases, and exercising in that state makes me feel dizzy and weak. My doctor even told me not to exercise because it could actually increase my appetite.” The experience of another Lee, age 58, who has been taking Wegovy and Mounjaro for three months, is similar. She said, “In the past, even if I starved myself and exercised two hours a day, I would only lose 1 to 2 kilograms in three months. With the injections, I lost 1 to 2 kilograms in a single day. Now, I don’t go to the gym at all. When I was younger, I could lose weight through physical effort, but now I don’t see the need.”
Gyms that have targeted dieters as their main clientele are expected to be hit the hardest. Kim, an employee at a women-only gym, said, “There are definitely some members leaving because of these treatments, so I’m worried that new registrations will drop in the New Year.” A staff member at a fitness center in Jamsil-dong also shared, “There was a member who said she would go to a family medicine clinic for a prescription instead of coming in.”
Experts: "Effective, but risk of muscle loss and other side effects... Exercise is essential"
Experts acknowledge the effectiveness of obesity treatments but warn that losing weight without exercise is dangerous. When medication is used to suppress appetite and reduce weight, there can be side effects such as rapid loss of muscle as well as fat.
Kang Jaeheon, a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, stated, “Because obesity treatments are so powerful, important aspects of obesity management like healthy eating and exercise can be neglected. You need to be careful about the risk of muscle loss or nutritional deficiencies due to reduced food intake.” He emphasized, “Exercise is the most important factor for healthy weight loss while preserving muscle. Even if you use medication, exercise must be combined for a healthy diet.”
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