Exercise technique

rear axe kick

From a fighting stance, lift the rear leg straight up in front of you and then drive the heel straight down like an axe before returning to stance. Keep the core braced and the foot dorsiflexed to strike with the heel.

How do you perform this exercise?

  1. Adopt a fighting stance with feet staggered, hands up, and core braced.
  2. Shift weight to the lead leg and lift the rear knee, dorsiflexing the ankle (toes toward shin).
  3. Extend the rear leg upward in front of you, keeping the leg mostly straight and torso tall.
  4. At your top range, hinge from the hip and drive the heel straight down along the same line.
  5. Land softly with the heel first, then the whole foot, near your centerline.
  6. Retract the leg immediately and return to your fighting stance.
  7. Keep the pelvis neutral, avoid hyperextending the low back, and do not lock the knee at the bottom.

Which other muscles are involved?

Glutes, Abs, Quads, Calves, Adductors, Abductors.

How do you log your sets?

How do you track progressive overload?

Source: ExerciseDB catalogue and demonstration. Related movements are options to compare, not equivalent loads or a prescribed progression.

Alternatives to explore

STARK is a strength training tracker for iPhone and Apple Watch. Log sets, repetitions and weights, then follow your progress. Core features are free. Explore STARK’s features