OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effectiveness of cycle ergometer training and resistance training to enhance the efficiency of standard care to improve walking ability, muscular strength of the lower limbs, cardiovascular endurance and health-related quality of life during inpatient rehabilitation in intensive care unit acquired weakness. MATERIALS & METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with severe to moderate walking disability were enrolled in one of the three experimental groups: (a) ergometer training group, (b) resistance training group and (c) control group (standard care only). Intervention was applied 5 days a week over a 4-week period during inpatient neurological rehabilitation. We evaluated walking ability (Functional Ambulation Category test, timed up and go test, 10-metre walk test and 6-minute walk test), muscle strength (Medical Research Council and maximum muscle strength tests), cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance of the lower limbs at the fatigue threshold (physical working capacity at fatigue threshold) and quality of life (medical outcomes study SF-36 form). All tests were performed at baseline, after two weeks of treatment and at the end of the 4-week intervention period. RESULTS: Ergometer training and resistance training enhanced the effectiveness of standard care in order to improve (a) lower limb muscle strength, (b) walking ability and (c) cardiorespiratory fitness during inpatient rehabilitation of intensive care acquired weakness. In addition, ergometer training may be superior to resistance training. CONCLUSIONS: Our data encourage more research to develop and implement these training tools in rehabilitation programmes for intensive care acquired weakness.