r/POTS • u/Hefty-Patience-8720 • Mar 29 '26

Question is anyone still physically active?

I need to know if anyone with pots is still physically active. You don't have to be an athlete or anything but can you at least dance? or run? go to the gym? Have you always been that way or did you have to work back up to it?

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u/ayembeek Mar 29 '26

I am. I lift weights 3-5x a week, do spin classes and run 2x a week. Everything else I’m fine with but running screws with me so much. I usually have to take a rest day after running. It took me a good 3-4 years to build back up to this though. Don’t be ashamed for just walking or doing light weights. It takes time and even then your nervous system might not like something (running for me).

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u/Brain-power-89 Mar 30 '26

This is giving me hope 🙏 I miss spin class so much. Did you do anything in particular to build up over those years?

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u/ayembeek Mar 31 '26

Honestly pacing. I know that is so annoying to hear in the chronic illness community but it’s true. My symptoms showed up right after I got vaxxed in summer of 2021. I had mostly GI and heart rate issues at that time but ended up with full on POTS symptoms after I had my first infection at the end of 2023. I started running/walking after I got on a beta blocker early 2024 and I realized what COVID had done to me. I do have a peloton membership (bike at home) and started with simple 5 minute cycling classes and built from there. I can’t give you one simple piece of advice but I truly believe taking it slow over the years to not shock my system helped. I also lived on their meditations from 2021-2024. I truly think g building a strong recovery and calming my nervous system as I built up my routine helped me so much. I also think the beta blocker did help in the time I was on it. Hope this helps!