Here’s some workout gear that’s specifically useful for leg, knee / ACL recovery, but can mostly be useful long after.
Only you with your care team can know for sure what’s appropriate to enhance recovery while avoiding re-injury or other problems. It’s probably a bad idea to hop on balance boards a week post op. Whether you can even do that a few months later may also be questionable. Anything lateral? Probably waits quite awhile. The point is, talk to your physiotherapist and surgeon about what’s appropriate and when. Chances are, you’re using some of this stuff at PT anyway. But if you’re moving to part time at home to save PT insurance allowance, have graduated from PT altogether, or are maybe using an app or remote / private PT, then chances are you’ll need at least some personal gear.
Basic Stretching / Elastic Bands
Note that often the elastic bands will be in different colors representing different resistance levels. Generally, the levels go from lowest resistance with colors like yellow, red, green, blue, black, and silver/gold generally indicating increasing resistance. This is broadly accurate, especially for well-known brands. However, it is not necessarily consistent across manufacturers. And the actual resistance level, (broadly in pounds or kilograms), may not be precise either. Be sure to read the descriptions carefully to make sure you’re getting the resistance levels you want.
Many models available. Be sure to look at related items to find one that’s got any special features you need, though they’re mostly about the same.
Customizable/Adjustable Calf Stretcher and Foot Rocker for Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis and Tight Calves.
For Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Foot Drop, Achilles Tendonitis & Hamstring. Yoga Foot & Leg Stretch Strap.
Professional Elastic Bands for Upper & Lower Body, Core Exercise, Physical Therapy, Lower Pilates, At-Home Workouts, & Rehab, 5 Foot, Yellow, Red & Green, Beginner.
Useful when you want to create your own bands. Such as to wrap around a pole and use for knee extensions. Professional Latex Elastic Band For Upper & Lower Body, Core Exercise, Physical Therapy, Pilates, Home Workouts, & Rehab, Green, Heavy, Level 4.
Exercise Bands for Working Out, Increase Exercise Intensity, Portable Workout Equipment for Women and Men, Set of 4.
Straps
Move Freely with This Looped Stretch Strap Premium Stretch Band for Sports, Physical Therapy and Recovery from Surgery.
You’ll probably be using something similar at physical therapy. It’s good to also get in workouts at home.
Best Stretching Strap Exercise Bands for Physical Therapy and Exercise for Flexibility Perfect Yoga Straps for Stretching Fascia, Hamstring & Leg Stretcher KneeSled™ Ultra Strap U.S.A.
Weights
Check these out, but also look at related items. You want to make sure you have a set that’s adjustable to your range. Typically, you’ll start with 1 lb, then 2, then maybe more. (But not necessarily. Work with your PT to figure out what you might need at home.)
This is a clever device to use gravity to help with knee extension. I wouldn’t consider using this without consultation with doctor or physiotherapist though. If it’s useful for you, you’ll want to talk to your healthcare providers to make sure to get the method, weights and duration correct.
Ankle Resistance Bands for Leg / Butt Training. Workout Equipment for Kickbacks Hip Gluteus Training Exercises.
Specialty Items
These are good for rolling out quads or calves, etc. after working out alone when you don’t have a therapist to help get any post workout problems out.
Knee sled designed to work on flexion. Allows for easy performance of heel slide stretch to improve Range of Motion (ROM).
This is a great option to wear to rehab!
Advanced
Warning! The following items are for later in a recovery program. Possibly much later. Lateral balance and stress are later stage concerns. Whether that’s several months to six or nine months or possibly more depends wholly on a patient’s individual status and in consultation with their surgeon and physiotherapist care team. While some of these devices are excellent for fully healthy individuals to extend their capabilities, for those recovering from ACL injuries they need to be approached with caution; most likely with a ramp up program as directed by their care team.
Inflatable Yoga Ball for Home Gym Workouts, 23 Inch Exercise Half Ball for Balance Training Core Strength Fitness More, 330lb Cap
Professional Series Stability Ball with 65 cm Diameter for Athletes 5’7″ to 6’1″ Tall, Slow Deflate Fitness Ball for Improved Posture, Balance, Yoga, Pilates, Core, Green.
Tri-Level Adjustable Sphere: WB16 Pro 16″ board adjusts to 15, 17 and 20 degrees.
Each balance board is 20” wide for a stable stance and has two adjustable spheres to vary difficulty.
Single-plane of tilt (10, 12 & 15 degrees) pitches back & forth, and is adjustable based on ability.
This gets into the much more expensive realm of training gear. At hundreds of dollars, it’s far beyond typical recovery gear. However, if you get to the point where you need extreme lateral training for skiing, hockey and similar, you might like this particular device.
Health Club Size Stepper for Exercise at Home with 4 Stackable Risers for Height Adjustments.
You can also get additional risers here:
The Step Original Aerobic Risers – Circuit Size