02/25/2026
This is one of the most underrated *and most important* aspects of ACL rehab.
šļø Athletes will always find a way to get the task done if we let them. Thatās why running through a list of exercises without clear intent or thoughtful progressions can be a waste of time.
This is especially true when we introduce bilateral compound lifts like squats and deadlifts too early. I constantly hear athletes say theyāve been lifting, feel strong, but donāt know why they still have a problem. This is usually why.
āļø If these lifts come in too soon, athletes compensate. They shift to the stronger side, overload the posterior chain, and work around a weak quad instead of restoring it.
šÆ Prioritizing unilateral-biased exercises and holding athletes to specific strength and control standards before progressing is how we prevent that.
DM āheavyā to learn the standards we use before introducing heavy bilateral work with our ACL athletes.