Team Edux’s success in Ski Classics in recent years has made it the top Finnish team. The team strives for innovative training methods, one example being their partnership with Exxentric. In this article, team skier Isac Holmström shares his strength training philosophy and the collaboration with Exxentric.

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Strength Training at Team Edux

Strength training plays a key role at Team Edux. The implementation, intensity, and frequency of strength training vary throughout the training season. Our strength training includes an intense foundational strength phase at the start of the training season, aimed at significantly increasing general strength levels.

During the summer and training season, the focus has been on maintaining and improving those strength levels. As we approach the competition season, the focus shifts more towards maximum strength and explosive power. Additionally, we’ve found eccentric strength training to be a good complement to these methods.

During the competition season, we bring Exxentric’s strength training equipment with us, which allows us to train strength regardless of location, even when a gym isn’t available.

Eccentric Strength Training

Eccentric strength training involves exercises where the muscle lengthens while resisting an external load. This typically happens during the lowering phase of a weight. Muscles are stronger during the eccentric (lengthening) phase compared to the concentric (shortening) phase. There is strong scientific support for eccentric training, particularly for increasing overall strength and hypertrophy. In traditional weight training, the load during the eccentric phase is limited by how much the weaker concentric phase can lift. As a result, eccentric phases are rarely maximally loaded in conventional strength training, which reduces its effectiveness.

Exxentric’s Equipment

Since gyms are not always available while traveling, Exxentric’s equipment offers the possibility of strength training anywhere. The SkiGrip handles simulate the skiing position and increase sport-specificity, for example, during pull-ups, which helps transfer strength and technique from the gym to the ski track.

Image 1. SkiGrip Handles

The pulley device allows for eccentric strength training. With it, we can replicate the double poling movement during training. The device also enables us to produce heavy eccentric overload, thus maximizing the effectiveness of our strength training. Below are examples of our exercises for various muscle groups, focusing on the abs, arms, and back muscles.

Images 2 and 3. Double poling-style abdominal exercise

Images 4 and 5. Full-body double poling movement

Images 6 and 7. Strength movement for triceps

Images 8 and 9. Strength movement for the end phase of double poling

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Text from Maastohiihto.com: Isac Holmström/Team Edux