July 17, 2026

Bill Hartman on Movement Models, Return to Play, and Playing the Probabilities

54 minutes

I’ve got a good one for you today my friend!

Bill Hartman brings 35 years of experience, and more importantly, a totally unique way of thinking about rehab, performance, and movement.

In our conversation, we take a deep dive into how he moved from standard, rule-based systems to a principle-driven framework called the UHP that helps him make better decisions with less guesswork.

Along the way, we get into the bigger ideas behind his model—why shape and position matter, how the whole system influences performance, and why the best solutions often come from understanding movement in context rather than chasing isolated fixes.

It’s always great to get Bill back on the show, and I promise this one won’t disappoint.

Let’s dive in!

Quotable Quotes:

I got frustrated because I kept hitting dead ends – so I scrapped everything and started from scratch

The minute you start adding resistance, you’re adding a challenge where the load becomes the constraint

It’s not just about “pushing this thing” – It’s like “hold this position as you do something”

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

Bill’s background and how he got started in the PT and S&C worlds

His shift from rigid rules to principle-based thinking, and why frustration pushed him to build a new model.

Why the goal of training or PT is better reasoning, NOT perfect prediction

How the model has evolved over time, but the core principles have stayed the same

Bill’s approach to evaluating in the return to play process

Why you MUST know and understand the injury, the constraints, and the specific demands of the sport

A big consideration: Injuries are rarely isolated, and why you have to look at all the pieces of the puzzle when creating a RTP program

How external load can become a constraint – and that can be a good OR bad thing (depending on how it’s applied)

Table Tests: Why Bill uses them, and what he wants to get out of them

How to take the information from table tests and apply it to your standard gym exercises (squats, lunges, etc.)

Why all table tests are inherently “dirty”

The power of consolidating change and stabilizing an athlete before progressing them

How manual techniques and mobilizations fit into Bill’s treatment programs these days

Final thoughts, and how you can learn more about Bill’s work!

Connect with Bill:

UHP Network

Recon Programming

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Subscribe, Rate & Share!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.

Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!

The post Bill Hartman on Movement Models, Return to Play, and Playing the Probabilities appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

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By Mike Robertson

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