Miruvor
Sign up

Rowing machine

25 people describe trying Rowing machine (8 with ME/CFS, 16 with long COVID, 1 not stated). Of the 21 who said how it went, 12 say it helped, often with one symptom, and 8 got worse. 4 credit it as one reason they got better overall.

Everyone · 25 people

All 25 who tried it

How it went for everyone who tried it

Helped means they said it helped with what they took it for, which may be one symptom and not the illness.

57%
helped
12 of 21
5%
no change
1 of 21
38%
got worse
8 of 21

Shares are out of the 21 people who said how it went. 4 more tried it without saying how it went.

Show as a table
How it wentPeopleShare
Helped a lot00%
Helped1257%
No change15%
Worse733%
Much worse15%

Did it last, for everyone it helped?

  • None of the 12 people it helped said it wore off, whether or not they credit it for their improvement.

Read from what people wrote, and the more someone wrote, the more likely they are to mention it. Some people stop posting before saying, so the real number may be higher.

Everyone · 4 people

4 who credit it

Among the 4 who credit it with their improvement, here’s how they are now

Credit it means they say it’s one reason they got better: 4 say it was one of several things that helped.

0%
recovered or near normal
0 of 4
100%
much or somewhat better
4 of 4
0%
relapsed
0 of 4

Where each person was at the end of their story, or in their latest post that says how they are, compared with their worst point.

Show as a table
Outcome describedPeopleShare
Recovered00%
Near normal00%
Much better250%
Somewhat better250%
Relapsed00%

Did it last?

  • No one said its benefit wore off.
  • 3 of the 4 who credit it say they still need to keep doing something (not always this) to stay well.
4 who credit it

By how ill people were

Only the 4 who credit it, so people it didn’t help or made worse aren’t here. How they are now is their outcome overall, not the effect of this one treatment.

Severity at worstHow they are nownRecovered or near normal
Mild10%
Severe20%
Not stated10%
Show as a table
At worstOutcomePeopleShare
MildSomewhat better1 of 1100%
SevereMuch better2 of 2100%
Not statedSomewhat better1 of 1100%

Adverse events

What people said went wrong, in their own words.

1 of 25

people who wrote about taking it described a problem they tied to it

Described one · 1Didn’t mention one · 24

The serious kinds

Worth telling a doctor about straight away.

  • Made them much worse

    1 person
    “I tried a rowing machine and it destroyed me”
    — Glacier 95524

  • Heart rhythm problems

    1 person
    “Even the simplest of exercise on it gets HR to 180+ within 15 minutes and I’m afraid to trigger bad PEM.”
    — Puffin 93358

The serious kinds are a death, suicidal thoughts or an attempt, a hospital stay, an ER visit, an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, heart rhythm, liver or kidney, blood count, mood or psychiatric, or refeeding or deficiency problems, and being made much worse: a large worsening such as a crash lasting weeks or more. 1 of those made much worse says only that, without a specific adverse event, so is not in the 1 above.

Only what people tied to this treatment, in their own words, grouped by kind.

How often it comes up

Posts that mention Rowing machine, per 1,000 posts each month. Hover or tap a point for the count.

00.511.5201020142017202020232026
Show as a table
MonthPosts mentioning itAll postsPer 1,000
Oct 200901050
Jan 201001410
Feb 201001130
Jun 201101090
Nov 201101240
Dec 201101990
Jan 201202320
Feb 201201030
Mar 201201900
Apr 201201620
May 201203750
Jun 201202380
Jul 201202400
Aug 201204850
Sep 201215611.8
Oct 201205260
Nov 201205140
Dec 201206990
Jan 201305330
Feb 201304470
Mar 201304290
Apr 201304990
May 201306060
Jun 201306090
Jul 201306160
Aug 201305770
Sep 201303640
Oct 201305360
Nov 201303850
Dec 201305190
Jan 201409440
Feb 201408210
Mar 201404250
Apr 201403610
May 201406170
Jun 201404890
Jul 201404440
Aug 201406220
Sep 201405070
Oct 201406780
Nov 201405670
Dec 201416291.6
Jan 201517601.3
Feb 201508730
Mar 201501,2760
Apr 201519841.0
May 201501,4960
Jun 201511,0460.96
Jul 201511,2110.83
Aug 201509980
Sep 201501,0600
Oct 201501,2550
Nov 201501,2460
Dec 201509240
Jan 201601,2820
Feb 201601,0510
Mar 201601,0020
Apr 201609980
May 201601,0450
Jun 201601,2300
Jul 201611,6190.62
Aug 201601,7290
Sep 201601,7850
Oct 201601,2200
Nov 201601,0920
Dec 201601,2110
Jan 201701,6600
Feb 201701,9880
Mar 201702,0780
Apr 201702,1330
May 201702,3700
Jun 201702,1940
Jul 201702,1830
Aug 201702,4660
Sep 201702,1890
Oct 201703,0420
Nov 201701,9760
Dec 201702,1120
Jan 201802,6200
Feb 201802,1550
Mar 201802,6130
Apr 201802,2510
May 201802,8280
Jun 201803,8710
Jul 201803,0670
Aug 201803,7570
Sep 201803,5120
Oct 201803,2610
Nov 201802,8610
Dec 201802,7540
Jan 201903,6720
Feb 201902,7150
Mar 201903,3170
Apr 201903,1410
May 201903,8550
Jun 201903,3920
Jul 201903,3120
Aug 201903,9430
Sep 201904,0350
Oct 201903,9220
Nov 201903,5080
Dec 201903,6590
Jan 202004,6500
Feb 202004,3740
Mar 202004,4750
Apr 202003,6900
May 202004,5430
Jun 202015,7010.18
Jul 202006,1040
Aug 2020010,3330
Sep 2020011,9580
Oct 2020114,5680.07
Nov 2020116,5460.06
Dec 2020220,7640.10
Jan 2021724,5620.28
Feb 2021824,6720.32
Mar 2021529,4760.17
Apr 2021328,5090.11
May 2021925,7910.35
Jun 2021927,8710.32
Jul 2021327,2200.11
Aug 2021330,8080.10
Sep 2021730,0740.23
Oct 2021222,1320.09
Nov 2021027,7220
Dec 2021631,8720.19
Jan 20221142,3170.26
Feb 2022538,6970.13
Mar 2022444,3050.09
Apr 2022644,3330.14
May 2022550,5940.10
Jun 2022649,0580.12
Jul 2022553,4850.09
Aug 2022054,4550
Sep 2022056,9360
Oct 2022058,5110
Nov 2022259,1980.03
Dec 2022261,5760.03
Jan 2023361,0040.05
Feb 2023350,1330.06
Mar 2023759,9250.12
Apr 2023554,2510.09
May 20231057,7680.17
Jun 2023452,6790.08
Jul 2023956,4010.16
Aug 2023365,4350.05
Sep 2023361,8350.05
Oct 2023258,4190.03
Nov 2023253,6620.04
Dec 2023560,6430.08
Jan 2024871,8180.11
Feb 2024870,0450.11
Mar 2024568,2610.07
Apr 2024664,3740.09
May 2024367,6980.04
Jun 2024664,7200.09
Jul 2024465,3350.06
Aug 2024568,5170.07
Sep 2024370,1680.04
Oct 2024172,6070.01
Nov 2024371,8020.04
Dec 2024274,4010.03
Jan 2025677,9090.08
Feb 2025465,1100.06
Mar 2025969,9050.13
Apr 2025461,6060.06
May 2025965,7330.14
Jun 2025460,5400.07
Jul 2025462,1050.06
Aug 2025464,5780.06
Sep 2025361,7040.05
Oct 2025459,2040.07
Nov 2025658,9440.10
Dec 2025262,8300.03
Jan 2026563,3210.08
Feb 2026353,0850.06
Mar 2026659,2080.10
Apr 2026353,9890.06
May 2026657,5410.10
Jun 2026555,3010.09
Jul 2026756,3910.12
Aug 2026456,8250.07
Sep 2026857,1430.14

Forum and Reddit posts, 4,007,898 in all, counted per month. A mention means the post names the treatment, not that the writer took it. All trends

Everyone · 25 people

20 of the 25 people who tried it

See all 25 stories

  • Sudden-onset ME/CFS with breathlessness and PEM, somewhat better after antivirals

    Somewhat better Cove 24792 ME/CFS reddit.com Aug 2026

    They described sudden-onset CFS with breathlessness, insomnia, burning sensations and PEM. Over three years of self-experimenting they reported partial improvements from antivirals, citrulline, saffron, NAG, tadalafil and ginseng, saying they were doing…

  • Bedbound with long COVID, now much better and walking 1–3 miles

    Much better Cardinal 87323 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 3 years before improving or writing reddit.com Oct 2025

    Cardinal 87323 developed long COVID after a mild COVID infection in late 2022. They became bedbound, then improved partly with pacing, antihistamines and beta blockers, though a CHOP exercise programme worsened them and led to hospital. A four-month fatigue…

  • Bedridden with long COVID five months, now much better with supplements and thyroid meds

    Much better Zephyr 61537 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 3 years before improving or writing reddit.com Aug 2025

    Zephyr 61537 got long COVID around 2022 and was largely bedridden for the first five months, too ill to work or drive. A thyroid problem was found, and a naturopath found CMV; they credit supplements, thyroid medication, valganciclovir, weight training, red…

  • ME/CFS, once bed-ridden and unable to walk 10m, now somewhat better

    Somewhat better Doesn’t credit it · Not saidFox 78071 ME/CFS Moderate at worstIll 10 months before improving or writing reddit.com Oct 2026

    F36, previously running 6 km three times a week, developed high temperatures, fatigue, blurry vision and dizziness from December, once bed-ridden for three days and unable to walk 10 m. After six weeks off work she returned at 20% and improved, but was fired…

  • ME/CFS worsened to moderate after Pfizer; still moderate, amitriptyline helped sleep

    Somewhat better Doesn’t credit it · HelpedIsland 75834 ME/CFS Moderate at worstIll 18 years before improving or writing reddit.com Sep 2026

    Island 75834 had mild ME/CFS, working part-time and doing a PhD, until after a June 2021 Pfizer vaccination they worsened from mild to moderate and had to quit their part-time job. They also had worsened POTS and brain fog; amitriptyline helped their…

  • ME/CFS: home bike cardio didn't really work, rowing machine suited better

    Outcome unclear Doesn’t credit it · HelpedKite 93541 ME/CFS reddit.com Jan 2026

    Kite 93541, posting in r/cfs, described trying exercise at home. Cardio on a bicycle ergometer, starting with about a minute every other day, did not really work for them. A rowing machine at home suited them better because it uses the whole body; sessions…

  • ME/CFS and POTS, all but bedridden at worst, improved then relapsed after cancer treatment

    Relapsed Doesn’t credit it · WorseHarbor 24083 ME/CFS Severe at worstIll 15 years before improving or writing reddit.com Jan 2026

    Fell ill in January 2011 aged 52 with POTS, ME/CFS diagnosed in 2017, and later SIBO, which antibiotics eased. They felt great for two months in spring 2019, then their brother's death and two long flights caused crashes. A few years before 2025 they could…

  • ME/CFS: daily exercise and calorie deficit left her brutally exhausted, no improvement

    No benefit Doesn’t credit it · WorseBreeze 84944 ME/CFS Mild at worst reddit.com Nov 2025

    A short woman with arthritis and chronic fatigue was advised to lose weight for her joints; she exercised daily and aimed to eat 1,400-1,500 calories a day. She said the deficit left her brutally exhausted and asked how to keep her energy up. She could walk…

  • Pain from light tasks and double vision in one eye, stopped working and rarely left house

    Outcome unclear Doesn’t credit it · Not saidHare 80717 Condition not stated Moderate at worstIll for 2 years reddit.com Oct 2025

    Hare 80717, posting in a long-COVID forum, was unsure whether their symptoms were long COVID or autistic burnout. For about two years they had double vision in one eye and pain from light tasks like standing at the sink. They had stopped working and rarely…

  • Long COVID for almost three years, in bed 95% of day, no improvement

    No benefit Doesn’t credit it · WorseHarbor 90948 Long COVID Severe at worstIll for 3 years reddit.com Aug 2025

    Harbor 90948 has had long COVID for almost three years with dysautonomia, SIBO, gastritis, MCAS-like and CFS-like symptoms. Physical or mental exertion brings feverishness, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion; not eating every two hours triggers panic. Laying…

  • Long COVID symptoms; tried rowing, building to 10 minutes daily

    Outcome unclear Doesn’t credit it · HelpedHorizon 40417 Long COVID reddit.com May 2025

    The person reported that rowing made their symptoms basically disappear. They began with just a few minutes and built up to 10 minutes of rowing every day; they also noticed improvements in heart-rate variability and fewer heart-rate spikes. They highly…

  • Severe gut problems, POTS and insomnia with long COVID; no improvement from many remedies

    No benefit Doesn’t credit it · No changeRidge 11732 Long COVID Ill for 3.5 years reddit.com Mar 2025

    A person with long COVID since around late 2021 has severe gut problems, constipation, POTS, skin redness/rashes possibly from histamine, insomnia and headaches, and was still ill in early 2025. Digestive enzymes, copper, magnesium citrate, artichoke…

  • Long COVID brain fog and exhaustion, no lasting benefit from Wellbutrin or modafinil

    No benefit Doesn’t credit it · WorseAlder 69611 Long COVID Mild at worstIll for 2.5 years reddit.com Mar 2025

    Alder 69611 developed long COVID after a COVID infection in summer 2022 and was diagnosed in January 2023. By early 2025 they were exhausted and had debilitating brain fog, memory and word-finding problems, yet still worked, parented and did chores. They…

  • Long COVID with anxiety and depression, much better with medication and nicotine gum

    Much better Doesn’t credit it · WorseAlder 52693 Long COVID reddit.com Feb 2025

    They described anxiety and depression that improved after being prescribed an anxiety and depression medication, by October 2023. In May 2024 they said 4 mg nicotine gum three times a day helped get energy and motivation back, and energy stayed consistent…

  • Long COVID gut problems and breathlessness; dandelion root and milk thistle no real help

    No benefit Doesn’t credit it · HelpedCedar 92676 Long COVID Mild at worst reddit.com May 2024

    Cedar 92676, posting in a long-COVID community, described ongoing gut problems with light undigested stools and fatty liver, plus shortness of breath, and said their quality of life was still really bad. Dandelion root improved digestion and breathlessness,…

  • Long COVID with POTS and memory problems, much better with mindfulness and meditation

    Much better Doesn’t credit it · HelpedPuffin 93358 Long COVID Mild at worstIll 3 years before improving or writing reddit.com Apr 2024

    Nearly three years after COVID she still had long-COVID symptoms; she had POTS and was on beta blockers, and she had memory problems and breathlessness. After about two years she came off the beta blockers, managing her heart rate with salt, electrolytes and…

  • Long COVID with constant sleep and brain fog, much better with propranolol and pacing

    Much better Doesn’t credit it · HelpedNightjar 19176 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 4 years before improving or writing reddit.com Apr 2024

    Infected with COVID-19 in May 2020, she was never fully bedbound but slept constantly and lost almost all memories from end of May 2020 to Dec 2021 to brain fog and fatigue. About 21 months in, propranolol slowed her heart and let her sleep, walk and climb…

  • Barely able to get out of bed with long COVID, much better after digestive enzymes and bupropion

    Much better Doesn’t credit it · Not saidOrchid 81483 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 3.5 years before improving or writing reddit.com Sep 2023

    After COVID in April 2020 they never recovered, developing POTS, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, neuropathy and meeting criteria for ME/CFS; by mid-2022 they had lost 30 lbs in two months and could barely get out of bed. Digestive enzymes (Zenpep) from…

  • Long COVID with post-exertional malaise; one thing made them feel almost normal

    Outcome unclear Doesn’t credit it · WorseHarbor 76741 Long COVID Ill for 3.5 years reddit.com Jun 2023

    They have had long COVID since January 2020 and posted in r/covidlonghaulers about post-exertional malaise, saying a rowing session on minimal tension left them paying for it all weekend. They also commented that something made them feel almost normal. COVID…

  • Felt awful with ME/CFS at irregular college hours, now somewhat better with a routine

    Somewhat better Doesn’t credit it · Much worseGlacier 95524 ME/CFS Moderate at worst reddit.com Jun 2023

    Glacier 95524 has ME/CFS and felt awful at college when their lesson times were irregular. They can walk but sometimes need a wheelchair. They lost muscle mass and later got it back gradually; they cycled for 2-4 minutes a day and started lifting again at 1…

See all 25 stories

These are the newest 3 of the 4 who credit Rowing machine for their improvement, then the newest 17 of the 21 who tried it without crediting it, in about the same proportion as the full list.

A little hope, every Sunday

New recovery stories and data-driven research on ME/CFS and long COVID. Ideas worth considering, and the evidence behind them.

Free · Unsubscribe anytime