Chicago is a city of athletes. From marathon runners along the lakefront, to youth soccer leagues, to weekend warriors in competitive basketball leagues—our city thrives on sports. But with a thriving sports culture comes a high rate of injuries. That’s where choosing the right physical therapy clinic becomes crucial.
At PREP Performance Center, we specialize in helping athletes not just recover from injuries, but return to their sport stronger than before. Here are the top 5 reasons Chicago athletes choose us for sports rehab, plus what our athletes have to say about their experience:
1. ACL & Sports Rehab Specialization
ACL injuries can derail an athlete’s season, sometimes even their career. At PREP, we’ve built a reputation as one of Chicago’s leaders in ACL and sports-specific rehabilitation. Our physical therapists use proven methods tailored to athletes, ensuring rehab isn’t just about healing—it’s about restoring confidence and performance on the field.
“I tore my ACL back in 2019 and after 6 months of therapy elsewhere, my knee still didn’t feel rehabbed. Then I found Mary Kate and her team—my knee improved by milestones, and I finally feel confident about returning to play.”
— Alaina, ACL Patient
2. Return-to-Play Assessments
Getting cleared to play isn’t just about pain going away. We provide comprehensive Return-to-Play assessments that measure strength, balance, movement quality, and sport-specific demands. This ensures athletes are truly ready for competition and helps reduce the risk of re-injury.
“My daughter had ACL surgery, and while others told her she was fine to play, she still had pain and limited motion. After working with PREP, she gained strength and confidence—and finally understood how important a data-driven plan is before returning to soccer.”
— Parent of Youth Soccer Player
3. Video Movement & Running Analysis
Whether you’re a runner training for the Chicago Marathon or an athlete looking to improve mechanics, our advanced video analysis uncovers inefficiencies and imbalances you can’t see with the naked eye. By breaking down stride or movement patterns frame by frame, we identify the root cause of pain or performance issues—leading to faster, smarter recovery.
“I signed up for PREP’s running analysis while training for the Chicago Marathon. I always thought my knee pain was from overtraining, but the video showed that my stride was putting too much stress on one side. After just a few sessions correcting my form, I felt lighter, faster, and finished my marathon without the pain that had been haunting me for years.”
— Marcus, Chicago Marathon Runner
4. One-on-One Expert Care
Many clinics see multiple patients at once, but at PREP, you work directly with your therapist in focused, one-on-one sessions. This allows us to tailor every session to your needs, progress you faster, and give you the individualized attention athletes deserve.
“As a pro basketball player, my ankles were in bad shape. Mary Kate didn’t let me cut corners—she pushed me to rebuild strength and mobility in ways that improved my game. To this day, I still use the detailed sheet of exercises she gave me before games.”
— Reggie H, Professional Basketball Player, Reno Bighorns & Northwestern University Alum
5. Injury Prevention & Performance Mindset
Rehab is only half the battle. Our philosophy is to prepare athletes not just to recover, but to prevent future injuries and unlock higher performance. From strength programs to mobility drills, we integrate injury prevention into every plan so you return to your sport more resilient than before.
“Mary Kate educated me about the biomechanics of my rowing injury, resolved the issue, and gave me an injury-prevention plan to keep me balanced. The understanding I gained was invaluable—not just for recovery, but for my growth as an elite athlete. Her guidance helped me strengthen my weaker side, stay resilient, and perform at a higher level.”
— Kenneth M, Junior World Champion Rower
Ready to Get Back in the Game?
Athletes across Chicago choose PREP Performance Center because we understand the unique demands of sports rehab. From ACL recovery to running analysis to personalized injury-prevention programs, our goal is simple: help you return stronger than before.
Book your Performance Assessment today and take the first step toward recovery, resilience, and peak performance.