Positives

• A 40-year-old male amateur athlete with POTS and exercise intolerance found that body-weight exercises (squats, push-ups, planks) were manageable when approached with strict pacing and heart rate monitoring, though he initially had to avoid all intense exercise Reddit.
  
  
• A 32-year-old female in the Mayo Clinic Long COVID program found that PT-guided rehab including light resistance work helped tremendously with pacing, nervous system regulation, and regaining function after being severely debilitated Reddit.
  
  

Negatives

• Multiple patients with ME/CFS-type Long COVID reported that pushing into exercise — even light resistance training — triggered severe post-exertional malaise (PEM) and crashes lasting days to weeks Reddit.
  
  

Hurdles & Side Effects

• A graduated return-to-exercise protocol (such as the BMJ’s “Graduated Return to Play” guidance) is strongly recommended; patients should use heart rate monitors and electrolytes to manage exertion thresholds Reddit.