In the Jutland of Denmark a craftsman proudly carries on the traditions of his storied Viking ancestors. His warrior ancestors prized strength as well as the skills necessary to produce their legendary steel weapons.
 
That craftsman is Erik Rasmussen. Erik is a world class Master powerlifter whose profession is  fabrication of steel products. Erik is the founder and owner of internationally renowned ER Equipment.
 
For Erik, his profession is much more than just a job, it is his passion. Every product he creates carries over a thousand years worth of heritage and national pride with it. Products from ER do not leave his factory meeting minimum standards. His products reach for the highest standards of craftsmanship. Not only are his products extremely functional and durable but they are also visually appealing. On sight alone, you can appreciate the functional beauty of his products and just feel in your bones that they can handle anything the sport may demand of it.  
 
Armed with his knowledge of the sport, his skills, and his passion Erik created the first combination rack which he introduced to the lifting world at the 1992 European championships. This new ER Rack was a revolutionary idea. For the first time, the needs of powerlifters could be satisfied with one piece of equipment. It was no longer necessary to have a separate squat rack and bench. The ER Rack proved that it was possible to have sturdy equipment that did more than just hold weights. It became a working machine that helped save time and space. For the first time, one piece of equipment proved that it could handle the needs of every size and gender of powerlifter. And when all is said and done, the rack can be broken down and loaded into the trunk of a car.
 
The sport has come a long way. As contests continue to run more smoothly, most lifters do not know or appreciate how this original creation has helped transform the sport internationally. Two built in uprights provide squat access for both little and big people. Extremes in height are no longer an issue. Angled rollers on both uprights make it possible to easily move a fully loaded bar from side to side to center the bar. An innovative base mechanism allows spotter/loaders to easily and safely adjust the uprights from wide to narrow or vice versa. A solid core in the upright makes setting safety pins simple and easy - no more fumbling to find holes as hundreds of pounds are held up in the air by a partner. A 'drop in' bench makes shifting from one discipline to another a snap. A built in spotter platform gives your spotter the leverage necessary to safely lift and hand off the heaviest weights. A built in safety bench rack not only protects the lifter but is legal for use in competition. And then there is the lifting system - a lever system that made hydraulics and jack racks obsolete. There are no more worries about failed hydraulics or racks that slip as they are being elevated or lowered . The lever system allows the heaviest loads to be lifted by one man.
 
As revolutionary as the ER Rack is, Erik is not done. It continues to be refined and improved.
 
We can only imagine that were we living in the age of the Vikings, warriors would be lined up at the Rasmussen smithy anxiously waiting to pick up their new weapon or tool. Others would be waiting to ask Erik to fabricate a mighty sword, an axe, a dagger or some tool that would be needed. And afterwards, there would be mighty claps on the back as Erik was told to bring his gear to join them in some new adventure.
 
Today, this quiet and humble descendant of Vikings brings you those same skills and pride. After working in his modern shop, there are still the same claps on the back as his brethren Viking descendants, the Danes, clap Erik on the back and tell him to grab his gym bag and come along for their next adventure at a World Powerlifting Championship.