Alternate Heel Touch Side Kick Squat

Instructions

1
Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms at sides or crossed over chest for balance. Maintain an upright torso with neutral spine alignment and core engaged throughout the movement.
2
Distribute weight evenly across both feet. Prepare by slightly tensing the core and quadriceps muscles. No external equipment or grip required for bodyweight version.
3
Lower your body by bending at the knees and hips simultaneously, descending as if sitting into a chair. Keep chest upright, knees tracking over toes, and weight distributed through midfoot to heel. Lower until thighs are parallel to ground or below, maintaining neutral spine.
4
Drive through heels and midfoot to extend knees and hips, returning to standing position. Maintain controlled tempo throughout concentric phase without locking knees at top. Squeeze quadriceps at standing position before beginning next repetition.

PRIMARY MUSCLESQuadriceps
SECONDARY MUSCLESGluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius, Adductors
EQUIPMENTBody weight
DIFFICULTYBeginner

Overview

If you want to isolate and overload the Quadriceps, the Alternate Heel Touch Side Kick Squat is an excellent addition to your routine. The mechanics of this Strength, Cardio exercise specifically bias the Hips, Thighs, while the use of Body weight allows for a smooth, natural resistance curve.

Benefits

  • Acts as a highly scalable Strength, Cardio movement, perfect for both beginners and elite athletes.
  • Allows for a natural movement path that closely mimics functional daily activities.
  • Utilizes Body weight to create sustained mechanical tension, forcing deep muscle adaptation.

Pro Tips

Keep your breathing rhythmic: exhale sharply on the concentric push/pull, and inhale smoothly on the way down.

Muscle Anatomy

The primary driver is the Quadriceps. However, the movement also recruits Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius, Adductors to maintain control of the Body weight.

Exercise Variations

  • Dumbbell Alternate Heel Touch Side Kick Squat
  • Cable Alternate Heel Touch Side Kick Squat
  • Banded Alternate Heel Touch Side Kick Squat

Frequently Asked Questions