Fran came to Sally Eccles Fitness while recovering from Long Covid. Like many people navigating recovery, she was dealing with fatigue, low energy levels, and the frustration of feeling disconnected from her body.
Simple exercise felt humbling. Her body wasn’t responding the way she wanted it to, and she wasn’t sure how much she could safely do without setting herself back.
The Challenge
Before working with Sally Eccles Fitness, Fran was trying to rebuild her strength while managing the unpredictable effects of Long Covid.
Even basic exercise felt difficult. Progress wasn’t always straightforward, and there were days when fatigue made it hard to trust what her body could handle.
She started where she needed to start – with bodyweight exercises and resistance bands.
For many people, that can feel like a step backwards. But for Fran, it became the foundation for everything that followed.
Why She Nearly Didn’t Start
Like many clients recovering from illness or injury, Fran wasn’t looking for a quick fix.
She needed a sensible, sustainable approach that would work with her energy levels rather than against them.
After months of feeling limited by fatigue, it would have been easy to believe that getting stronger, returning to climbing, or lifting weights again simply wasn’t realistic.
The Turning Point
Through the Strength Essentials programme, Fran learned that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.
Instead of pushing through exhaustion, she learned how to manage her energy, listen to her body, and take rest weeks when needed – without feeling guilty.
That shift in mindset was just as important as the physical training.
As her confidence grew, so did her strength.
She moved from the bodyweight & band programme to the dumbbell programme.
Small wins accumulated until she was hitting personal bests.
And gradually, Fran started doing things she hadn’t thought possible during her recovery.
The Results
Here’s what Fran’s achieved over time:
Progressed from bodyweight and resistance band training to regular strength training
Consistently achieved personal bests, including 13 PBs in a single session
 Returned to weekly rock climbing with friends
Flashed a 6a climbing route for the first time since 2019
Tackled technical mountain bike trails confidently on holiday
Upgraded to 1:1 coaching for greater accountability and support
Started barbell training with 30kg squats and 40kg deadlifts
 Developed confidence in what her body can do again
In her own words…
“I went from finding exercise humbling during Long Covid recovery to lifting barbells, climbing at a high level again, and trusting my body to do things I hadn’t been able to do for years.”
What This Means for You
If you’re recovering from illness, injury, burnout, or simply feel like you’ve lost confidence in your body, you’re not alone.
The goal isn’t to be perfect.
The goal is to build strength consistently, work with your body rather than against it, and create progress that lasts.
Fran’s story is proof that where you start doesn’t determine where you can end up.
Whether you’re beginning with resistance bands or aiming to return to a sport you love, the right support can help you get there.