The 2011 Falls Fest Highlander includes the Axle Press as one of its six planned events.
The axle starts on the ground, loaded to the group appropriate weight (Women 65#, LW 165#, Master 175#, MW 200#, HW 220#). Belt and chalk are allowed. It must be moved to the shoulders before being locked out overhead for as many reps as possible within one minute. The “how” of each step varies with the skill and strategy of the lifter and the weight of the bar.
A relatively light load may be cleaned, but a continental is commonly used to get heavier bars to the shoulders. You’ll see some use an alternate grip to minimize the strength needed to handle the thick diameter of the axle. “Presses” range from relatively strict to push press to pressed out jerks to jerks.
A couple examples from YouTube:
Karl Gillingham in training.
Note the regular overhand grip, continental to the shoulder, push presses.
Rob Simnick at an event.
Note the alternate grip, clean to the shoulder, push presses.
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