Watch your step height on side step ups to avoid any knee pain. You might need to work at a lower level than regular step ups.
- Stand sideways on a step or platform (at the highest level, the leg on the step should not bend more than 90 degrees) and hold a medium-heavy dumbbell in both hands.
- Step down with the right leg, lowering into a squat and keeping the back straight, the torso upright and the abs in.
- Focus on the leg that's on the step as you push into the heel, bringing the right foot back onto the step.
- Keep the movement slow and controlled and imagine that the leg on the step is doing all the work.
- Repeat for 1-3 sets of 8-16 reps on both sides.
