The Eleiko Feeling: Superior Strength Training Through Innovation & Education
Partnership
Sponsored By Eleiko
Learn about Eleiko’s evolution, lifter-first design philosophy and dedication to enhancing strength training experiences through high-quality products and education
In the world of strength training, few names command as much respect as Eleiko. With six decades of expertise and counting, Eleiko has established itself as a global leader in the international weightlifting, powerlifting and strength & conditioning communities. Trusted by elite athletes and organizations, its best-in-class strength products have been used in leading competitions, training facilities and home gyms worldwide.
Central to Eleiko’s philosophy is a “lifter-first” perspective, which prioritizes the lifter’s experience in both product development and educational initiatives. Eleiko’s education programs are designed to provide coaches, trainers, operators and lifters with the resources they need to achieve maximum results. These programs are grounded in research-based principles and practical applications to enhance physical, mental and emotional performance while minimizing injury risks.
In an exclusive interview with Athletech News, Rodney Corn, Eleiko’s Director of Education, shares insights into how the company’s philosophy informs their approach to product design and education. He discusses the impact of equipment choice on training outcomes, the integration of feedback from athletes and coaches into Eleiko’s development processes, and emerging strength training trends.
Athletech News: Can you share Eleiko’s philosophy on strength training and how it informs your approach to both education and product design?
Rodney Corn: The essence of Eleiko’s philosophy on strength training is to “help people become stronger for sport and life.” This encompasses physical, mental, and emotional strength, health and wellbeing. From this philosophy, Eleiko develops products and education from our 65+ years of experience in strength training that provide long-lasting performance, results and safety.
In our products, this translates into precision craftsmanship, stringent tolerances, premium materials and attention to detail, delivering a superior user experience that athletes worldwide have dubbed “the Eleiko Feeling.” Educationally, this means using research-based principles to provide safe and effective practical applications that enhance mental, emotional and physical performance while decreasing the risk of injury.
ATN: Eleiko is known for its “lifter-first” perspective. Can you elaborate on what this means and how it influences both the design of your products and the development of your educational programs?
RC: A “lifter-first” perspective means that we develop products and education with the lifter’s personal experience at the forefront of our inspiration and motivation, based on their feedback. As mentioned, the “Eleiko Feeling” comes from transferring their feedback into our attention to detail, such as the quality of the material and the stringent tolerances used, as well as the versatility and functionality of the product. All with the thought of making the product easier, safer, more varied and durable in its use.
Educationally, it’s the same process of feedback transferring into our attention to detail for the content and practical application. We develop systematically progressive content and materials to help simplify the learning and teaching/coaching process for students. We use multiple interactive delivery methods to address each behavioral, learning, and teaching/coaching style, such as written, video-based, and live options and material for practical application.
ATN: How does Eleiko integrate feedback from athletes and coaches into its product development and educational content creation processes?
RC: We use beta testing, surveys and always welcome unsolicited feedback on our products and education. This information is reviewed for both its commonality and differences. Then it’s mapped to the current product design to see where the most effective modifications can be made to enhance the product and solve challenges.
ATN: What strength training trends are you noticing, and how is Eleiko preparing to meet these trends through both education and product development?
RC: The biggest trends are the use of more free weights in facilities and understanding readiness and recovery-based applications. With the use of more free weights, this means more barbells (bars and plates), dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, etc., and lifting platforms and racks are being used for various types of free weight training – Olympic lifting, Powerlifting, Functional Training, and Bodybuilding.
This is Eleiko’s legacy as we are among the oldest strength training manufacturers in the world and pioneers of Olympic lifting and Powerlifting bars, plates and platforms. Recently, we have meticulously designed the most versatile rack and rig system in the world, allowing facilities to build free-weight spaces specific to their demographic and floor plan in all sizes, shapes, and configurations – even in circles around posts/poles.
We have further designed storage units and cable systems that seamlessly integrate into these racks and rigs or can also be stand-alone units. It’s essentially a strength training ecosystem that can be built in unlimited ways.
Educationally, we have fee-based live and online courses and complimentary online resources on our website covering all pertinent aspects of strength training. This ranges from downloadable programs and training tools to articles, webinars and an exercise library with over 300+ exercises using all types of equipment. We also offer online and live courses for Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Tactical Training, and Readiness and Recovery Training.
ATN: What benefits do Eleiko’s online courses offer, and how do they ensure comprehensive learning through multimedia content, practical applications and downloadable materials?
RC: Eleiko’s online courses were developed out of the expressed desire for many people to have a self-paced learning option in the comfort of their own homes. This reduces travel, lodging and associated expenses that can be burdensome for some people and limit their educational experience. These courses are designed to provide the same content as the live version by using a combination of video presentations for content and technical instruction, written-visual presentations (PPTs), downloadable summaries, programs, and articles, with quizzes and exams.
Eleiko’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation, and education continues to support the evolving needs of the strength training community, ensuring athletes and coaches are equipped to reach their full potential.