It was about a year after my stroke that I started doing sit to stands at strength & balance class. And after a couple weeks of doing them daily, the first thing I started noticing was the little spring in the backs of my knees when I stood up or climbed stairs. It was almost like being propelled to stand. Thats when I knew this was the exercise for me and spurred me on 
It made it so much easier to climb stairs when you’ve that muscle propulsion behind you…literally. Getting up from sitting, without the grunting and groaning I used to do, and my family watching me closely when they’d realise I’m on the move, in case I was going to fall or something 
I does lead to a new sense of freedom and independence when you get your legs back under you again.
And I still marvel at that little spring behind my knees. But a little word of warning, it can take you by surprise at first, until your stroke gets more incinque with it.
I don’t think we truly appreciate the benefit of exercise to build and strengthen muscle, until we lost it all from lack of mobility like this from strokes or spinal injuries or whatever. You certainly don’t when you’re young fit and healthy.
Lorraine
Stroke Improvement Group