Researchers are testing whether people waiting for weight loss surgery can get healthier by doing exercise classes from home using video calls. About 48 people will either do a 4-week online exercise program or receive regular care. Scientists will measure how well their hearts and lungs work, their fitness level, and how much they exercise. This study could help hospitals offer better preparation programs for people about to have weight loss surgery, making it easier for patients to get in shape before their operation.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a 4-week online exercise program can help people waiting for weight loss surgery improve their heart health and fitness before their operation.
  • Who participated: The study plans to include 48 adults waiting for weight loss surgery. As of May 2025, 30 people have enrolled out of 220 screened. Participants will be randomly assigned to either do online exercise classes or receive standard care.
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol (a plan for research), so final results aren’t available yet. The study is measuring how well the online exercise program works and whether people actually like doing it. First results are expected by mid-2026.
  • What it means for you: If this study shows positive results, it could mean that people waiting for weight loss surgery could prepare at home through video exercise classes instead of traveling to a gym. This may reduce barriers to getting in shape before surgery and could improve surgical outcomes.

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers will randomly split 48 people into two groups: one group will do a 4-week telehealth (video-based) exercise program, while the other group receives their usual care. By randomly assigning people, researchers can fairly compare whether the exercise program actually makes a difference.

The study is happening at multiple hospitals and clinics, which helps make sure the results apply to different types of patients and settings. Researchers will measure several things before and after the 4-week program, including how efficiently people’s hearts and lungs work during exercise, their resting heart rate, muscle strength, body composition, and how much they actually exercise during the week.

The study also asks participants about whether they found the online program acceptable and easy to use. This feedback is important because even a great exercise program won’t help if people don’t like doing it or can’t stick with it.

People with severe obesity who need weight loss surgery often have weak hearts and lungs, which increases their risk of complications during and after surgery. Getting people in better shape before surgery (called prehabilitation) can reduce these risks. However, most people don’t have access to supervised exercise programs before surgery, and many don’t meet exercise guidelines. Online exercise programs could solve this problem by making fitness training accessible from home. This study matters because it will show whether this approach actually works and whether patients will use it.

This is a well-designed study registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, which means it follows strict scientific standards. The study has ethics approval and is being conducted at multiple centers, which strengthens the reliability of future results. However, this is a protocol paper (a description of the plan), not the final results. The study is still enrolling participants and won’t have complete results until mid-2026. The relatively small sample size (48 people) means results should be interpreted carefully and may need confirmation in larger studies.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the study plan rather than actual results. The main thing researchers will measure is aerobic capacity—how efficiently a person’s body uses oxygen during exercise. They’ll test this using a special exercise machine that measures oxygen use while people exercise harder and harder until they reach their anaerobic threshold (the point where muscles start working without oxygen).

The study will also track several other important health markers. These include resting heart rate (how fast your heart beats when you’re sitting still), heart rate variability (how much your heart rate changes between beats, which reflects nervous system health), resting metabolic rate (how many calories you burn at rest), body composition (the ratio of muscle to fat), grip strength (hand strength), and how much people actually exercise during the week.

Because this is an ongoing study, we don’t yet know whether the online exercise program will improve these measurements compared to standard care. The researchers are also collecting information about whether participants found the program acceptable and whether they would recommend it to others.

Beyond the main fitness measurements, researchers are paying attention to whether people actually stick with the program and find it helpful. They’re measuring acceptability—basically asking: Did people like the program? Was it easy to use? Would they do it again? This information is just as important as fitness improvements because a program only works if people will actually use it. The study is also looking at real-world physical activity levels using activity trackers, which shows how much people actually move during their daily lives, not just during exercise sessions.

Previous research shows that people with severe obesity who are waiting for weight loss surgery often have poor heart and lung fitness, which increases surgical risks. Some studies suggest that exercise before surgery can improve outcomes, but most people don’t have access to supervised programs. A few small studies have tested online exercise programs, but there’s limited evidence in the weight loss surgery population specifically. This BARI-Prehab study will fill that gap by testing whether telehealth exercise is both effective and acceptable for this specific group of patients.

This study has several important limitations to understand. First, it’s relatively small (48 people), so results may not apply to everyone. Second, it’s an open-label trial, meaning both participants and researchers know who’s doing the exercise program versus standard care, which could influence results. Third, the program is only 4 weeks long, so we don’t know if benefits last longer or if people can stick with it over months. Fourth, the study is still enrolling participants, so we don’t have final results yet. Finally, the study only measures fitness and health markers, not actual surgical outcomes, so we won’t know if the exercise program actually reduces surgery complications.

The Bottom Line

This is a study protocol, so specific recommendations aren’t yet available. However, if you’re waiting for weight loss surgery, talk to your doctor about exercise options. Current evidence suggests that improving fitness before surgery is beneficial. Once this study publishes results in mid-2026, it may provide evidence that online exercise programs are a good option. For now, moderate confidence: Any safe exercise before surgery is likely helpful, but the specific benefits of this telehealth program won’t be known until the study is complete.

This research is most relevant for people waiting for weight loss surgery who want to improve their fitness beforehand. It’s also important for doctors and hospitals designing preoperative care programs. People with severe obesity who can’t access traditional gyms or supervised exercise programs should pay attention to these results. However, this study won’t directly apply to people who aren’t having weight loss surgery or those with mild obesity.

The study is testing a 4-week program, so that’s the timeframe for seeing changes in fitness measurements. However, real-world benefits may take longer to appear. People typically need 4-8 weeks of regular exercise to notice improvements in how they feel and perform. Final study results won’t be available until mid-2026, so if you’re waiting for surgery now, you may not be able to use these specific findings immediately.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes and type (walking, cycling, strength training). Set a goal of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, which is the standard recommendation. Log sessions in your app with duration and how you felt during and after exercise.
  • If your app offers video exercise classes, try scheduling one 20-30 minute session per day for 4 weeks. Start with low-impact activities like walking or water aerobics if you have joint pain. Gradually increase intensity as you feel stronger. Set reminders to exercise at the same time each day to build the habit.
  • Use your app to track resting heart rate (measure first thing in the morning before getting out of bed). Monitor how much you can walk or exercise before feeling tired. Take progress photos monthly. Note improvements in daily activities like climbing stairs or walking longer distances. Share progress with your healthcare team regularly.

This article describes a research study protocol that is still ongoing. Final results are not yet available. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor. If you’re considering weight loss surgery or want to start an exercise program, consult with your healthcare provider first, especially if you have heart disease, joint problems, or other health conditions. Always get medical clearance before starting a new exercise program. The findings from this study, when published, should be discussed with your surgical team to determine if they apply to your specific situation.