Box Squats
Strengthens the legs with a controlled depth.

What it helps
Builds leg strength to a controlled, comfortable depth — strength you can trust without overloading the joint.
How to do it
- Stand in front of a sturdy chair or box.
- Lower until you lightly touch, then stand.
Tips
- Keep good form throughout.
Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10, a few times a week.
Where this appears in recovery
Box Squats is part of 29 recovery programs, most often at the strength building (months 2–5), return to activity (weeks 6–12) and return to running (months 4–9) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- ACL Revision Reconstruction exercise guide
- Knee Arthroscopy with Partial Meniscectomy exercise guide
- PCL Reconstruction exercise guide
- Microfracture (Knee Cartilage) exercise guide
- ACL Reconstruction exercise guide
- Hip Arthroscopy with FAI Decompression exercise guide
- MACI Cartilage Implantation exercise guide
- Quadriceps Tendon Repair exercise guide
- Hip Arthroscopy with Labral Repair exercise guide
- Total Knee Arthroplasty exercise guide
- Total Knee Arthroplasty exercise guide
- Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty exercise guide
- …and 17 more
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.