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Annik Kälin, one of Switzerland’s most promising heptathletes, shares in this interview her experience with the innovative EISENHORN training device. She explains how it helped her achieve her training goals, recover from injuries, and return to the top of her sport.
EISENHORN: Congratulations, Annik, on your fourth-place finish at the 2024 Olympics in the heptathlon. That’s an amazing achievement, but your participation in Paris was far from certain. Why?
Annik Kälin: Three years ago, I suffered a back injury – a bone edema in one of my vertebrae. This forced me to completely restructure my training and focus specifically on strengthening my core.
EISENHORN: …and during that time you discovered the EISENHORN fitness station?
Annik Kälin: Yes, a physiotherapist introduced me to your system. It’s perfect as an all-in-one home gym for my small basement, and I could carry out my new core program on it. Because EISENHORN is so versatile, it’s excellent for discipline-specific strength training.
EISENHORN: What convinced you to invest in an EISENHORN fitness station?
Annik Kälin: I love the flexibility it provides in such a small space. It fits perfectly into any home and even enhances the room aesthetically. My training sessions are much shorter with EISENHORN, and compared to other equipment, I can experiment with an incredible variety of exercises or try new movements all the time. There isn’t just one exercise possible with this device – there are literally millions. As both an athlete and a physiotherapist, it’s the perfect training tool.
With my EISENHORN, the movement distances during training are even shorter, and compared to other machines, you can enjoy an incredible number of exercises or try new ones each time. There isn’t just one exercise possible with this device — there are literally millions.
EISENHORN: What does your training routine with EISENHORN look like?
Annik Kälin: I train three times a week for 60 minutes on my EISENHORN S Black Edition. Two to three times a week I focus on my core program and additionally perform sport-specific activation or strength exercises.
EISENHORN: The core program seems especially important to you?
Annik Kälin: Yes, because only with EISENHORN was I able to prepare my core muscles and my body in general for the demands of the Olympics. After my back injury, it helped me return to professional sport.
EISENHORN: How do you generally deal with setbacks?
Annik Kälin: Setbacks and injuries are unfortunately part of elite sports. However, they shaped me into the athlete I am today. I believe these challenges made me stronger, helped me develop, and taught me a lot about myself and my body.
EISENHORN: How did it feel to finish fourth at the Olympics?
Annik Kälin: It was a dream come true. I never imagined I would stand on the Olympic stage and even bring home a diploma. The fourth place is a huge motivation for the next four years.
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EISENHORN: How did you get into heptathlon, and what fascinates you about the discipline?
Annik Kälin: When I was 10, I accompanied a friend to the athletics club in Landquart. I immediately enjoyed the sport. Everything flowed from there – successes at national and international levels. This constantly motivated me and eventually led me to the Olympics.
EISENHORN: How do you structure your training to excel in seven different disciplines?
Annik Kälin: I train six days a week. Balancing this with my daily life and studies as a physiotherapist requires careful planning. I receive a lot of support from my family, friends, and employer. I still train with great joy and motivation. I’ve always enjoyed the variation in disciplines, which is why I ended up in heptathlon.
EISENHORN: What role does strength training play for you as a heptathlete, and how has your training evolved over the years?
Annik Kälin: As you get older, physical factors become increasingly important. Targeted strength training allows you to make significant progress in all disciplines.
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EISENHORN: How is training with EISENHORN different from your regular strength training?
Annik Kälin: It’s very practical and the weight is easy to adjust. It’s also highly functional, which I really appreciate.
EISENHORN: How safe do you feel when training with the EISENHORN fitness station?
Annik Kälin: Especially during heavy lifting sessions, I feel very safe. The station is extremely stable. Nothing can go wrong.
Especially during sessions with heavy loads, I feel very safe. The station is extremely stable. Nothing can go wrong.
EISENHORN: Who would you recommend the EISENHORN fitness station to? Do you think it could benefit athletes from other disciplines or recreational sports enthusiasts?
Annik Kälin: For anyone who wants to get a good workout at home in just a few minutes. And for those who find it hard to go to the gym. Generally, EISENHORN is a great complement for athletes and can be very helpful for patients as well.
EISENHORN: Please complete this sentence: The EISENHORN is a perfect training device for home…
Annik Kälin: …because it keeps everyone fit and even enhances the home environment.
The EISENHORN strength station as a bundle
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