In high-level strength training, results come down to more than just effort — they come from choosing the right methods to match the goal. In this case, that means pairing precise motorized resistance training technology with advanced methods like isokinetic strength training and eccentric overload training. World champion powerlifter Emil Norling and his coach Stefan Ågren are doing just that, and the results speak for themselves.
Why Isokinetics Work for Strength Training
Isokinetic resistance, meaning “same velocity," is lifting against a fixed concentric speed limit. The athlete applies as much force as they can, but the motor keeps them moving at that set speed. For example, if the limit is 0.3m/s, they won’t move faster than that, no matter how much force they produce.
Unlike traditional weights, where the athlete only needs to generate enough force to overcome the load, isokinetic training allows for true maximal effort, every single rep.
That’s one of its biggest strengths: because the speed limit applies throughout the entire range of motion, the athlete can express max force at every joint angle, not just the hardest portion of the lift (e.g., the bottom of a squat). The amount of force required doesn’t taper off, the effort stays high throughout the entire movement
It also simplifies intent-based loading. Instead of guessing weight selections for a "max out day," coaches can select a velocity for the day, build up with reps at ~70% and ~90% effort, and then push for true max effort. You can’t "overshoot" a speed limit the way you can overload a barbell.
And the bonus? The 1080 Cable strength training system gives instant feedback on how much force the athlete is producing. That means you can track strength changes rep to rep, set to set, and session to session. Keeping a consistent velocity lets you isolate and monitor every other variable over time.
Using the 1080 Cable, Emil can chase true max effort through the full range of motion, making every lift an effective stimulus.
How Eccentric Overload Builds Strength
The eccentric phase, when the muscle lengthens under load, is where athletes are naturally strongest. It’s also where the most potential lies for strength gains, hypertrophy, and building tissue resilience.
With the 1080 Cable, you get independent control over concentric and eccentric loads, allowing you to target the eccentric phase with more intent than traditional weights (which are simply the same load up and down).
Eccentric overload training is a perfect complement to isokinetic strength work. While isokinetics target the concentric phase under a fixed, eccentric overload lets the athlete control the eccentric phase down and reverse it into the concentric phase, maintaining the rhythm of completing a full rep. In this example, where the sport is the lift, keeping that feel is important.
You can also layer eccentric overload strength training into higher-volume training. For athletes chasing hypertrophy, work capacity, or tendon durability, adding a few extra kilos on the eccentric phase can make every rep more stimulating, without changing the rep count or total volume.
With the 1080 Cable's motorized resistance ability to independently control both speed and load, Emil can go beyond barbell percentage 1-rep max, even percent beyond bodyweight, to drive more adaptation in less time.
Train With Precision, Adapt With Purpose
The 1080 Cable gives coaches and athletes the power to create the exact stimulus they want, whether it’s for strength, speed, hypertrophy, or capacity. By combining modern motorized resistance training technology with proven methods like isokinetic strength training and eccentric overload training, results are driven by training smarter on top of training harder.
Published: September 9, 2025