PUBLISHED ON Oct, 24, 2024
At the heart of Freak Athlete is a story of resilience and discovery. Benji, the founder, knows firsthand the challenges of overcoming serious injury—and how crucial it is to find the right tools to get back on your feet. His journey from knee surgeries to full recovery is the backbone of Freak Athlete's mission. It is to provide effective, space-efficient tools, like the Hyper Pro that help people train smarter, not harder.
The Knee Injuries That Changed Everything
In 2018, Benji tore his meniscus while playing soccer, a sport that was his passion and his life. Like many athletes, he tried to push through the pain, but after six long months, he had no choice but to undergo surgery. What was supposed to be the end of his troubles turned into just the beginning. The surgery didn’t go as planned, and six months later, he found himself under the knife again.
Even after the surgeries, Benji’s knee pain persisted, and his range of motion was severely limited. But soccer was everything to him, and he fought to get back on the field. Then, in 2021, another devastating blow: he tore his ACL during a preseason game in England. This injury forced Benji to rethink everything about his training and recovery.
Discovering Strength Through Smart Training
After two major surgeries, Benji's athletic future was at stake. He knew he had to do more than recover. He had to come back stronger. Instead of avoiding the muscles around his knee, which he had done early on, he focused on strengthening his hamstrings and quads.
That's when he found Nordic Curls. They are a game-changer for building lower-body strength, especially in the hamstrings.
This pivotal moment led Benji down a path of innovation. Frustrated by the limitations of his home gym, he teamed up with his best friend Yogi to tinker with equipment, eventually creating what we now know as the Hyper Pro.
A machine built to handle key movements like Nordics, Leg Extensions, Hamstring Curls, and more—all in a compact setup.
Benji’s hard work paid off. By the time he returned to the soccer field in 2021, he felt stronger and faster than ever. Today, Benji plays soccer five times a week, and the difference is undeniable. When he lets his training slide, he feels it in his knees. But with consistent training using the Hyper Pro—6 days a week, focusing on both lower and upper body—he’s performing at a higher level than before his ACL injury.
Key Movements That Fueled His Recovery
Some of the most important movements that helped Benji regain strength and stability post-surgery include:
- Nordic Curls: Essential for rebuilding the hamstrings and mimicking the movements that protect the knees during sport.
- Leg Extensions: Focuses on the quadriceps, which help stabilize the knee and improve range of motion.
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Hamstring Curls: Targets the back of the legs to balance out the strength needed for knee stability.
- ATG Split Squat: Increases mobility and strength throughout the entire lower body.
- Back Extensions: Though not directly related to the knees, strengthening the lower back improved Benji’s overall athletic performance and prevented compensatory weaknesses.
Advice from Benji
If there’s one piece of advice Benji has for anyone recovering from injury or surgery, it’s this: don’t avoid strength training.
The biggest mistake he made after his first two surgeries was not focusing on strengthening the muscles around the injury.
“You can’t work through pain, but you also can’t be afraid to train smart,” Benji says. “Strengthening the muscles around an injury—whether it’s pre- or post-surgery—sets you up for long-term success. Don't wait until you're fully healed to start.”
He emphasizes that if you're unsure about surgery, either way, starting with rehab or pre-hab is essential. Only you and your doctor can decide if you need surgery. But, you can start your recovery by addressing weaknesses above and below the injury. For me, that was strengthening my lower back, ankles, and hips within the pain-free range of my knee.
Access Benji's full training routine here, or, subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of training tips, promotions, and more!
If you want to train just like Benji, click HERE to explore the Hyper Pro—9 machines-in-one for full body training and recovery.
