I love working with my physical therapist! I see here once a week and we go over ways to make me not only ready for running, but ready to take on everyday life! One of my favorite exercises seems deceptively easy. This seemingly simple exercise test your quad strength and it also helps strengthen those quads for the many miles you dream of running!
Find a normal step with a hand rail if possible, just in case you need it. A bottom step is the best for this.
Stand backwards on the step with your heels facing out.
Slowly lower one leg at a time to the ground beneath the step. Go as slow as you can. It doesn’t sound that hard and if your quads are quite strong, it probably won’t be, but it takes some discipline to stop yourself from doing this quickly. Repeat each side 20 times if possible. If not, do 10 times and work up to 20. This is a great, small but mighty exercise.