Getting back to weightlifting after surgery requires a plan that protects the repair while rebuilding strength. Our athlete’s guides bring Dr. Reza Jazayeri’s surgery-specific recovery instructions together in one place, with phased exercise guidance, body-part training charts, and the differences that matter for your procedure.
Choose your surgery below. These guides support the plan you develop with Dr. Jazayeri and your physical therapist; they do not replace your individual restrictions or clearance. The type of repair, additional procedures, and your progress can change when an exercise is appropriate.
Choose Your Surgery
Pectoralis Major Repair
Return to pressing and upper-body training after pec repair or allograft reconstruction, including bench-press precautions.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Weightlifting progression after rotator cuff surgery, with additional considerations when biceps tenodesis is performed.
ACL Reconstruction
Rebuild strength after ACL surgery while respecting graft healing and any additional meniscus-repair restrictions.
Meniscus Surgery
Understand how training after a partial meniscectomy differs from training after a meniscus repair.
Distal Biceps Repair
Progress back to pulling and lifting after acute repair or chronic distal biceps reconstruction with an allograft.
Clavicle and AC Joint Surgery
Follow the appropriate training pathway after clavicle fixation or acromioclavicular joint surgery.
Use Your Guide With Your Care Team
Check which operation you had before choosing a progression. A repair and a reconstruction may have different restrictions, and an additional procedure can change the plan. Review exercise selection and progression with your physical therapist, and ask Dr. Jazayeri before advancing beyond your restrictions. For a broader overview, explore return to sport and performance and recovery and optimization.
Plan Your Recovery With Dr. Jazayeri
Ready to plan your recovery? Call 1-844-JAZ-0911 or email [email protected]. Our DOCS Health team can help you discuss the next step in your care.
Medically reviewed by Reza Jazayeri, M.D. on
