SAN RAMON, Calif., Jan 06, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Contestants on season seven of NBC's The Biggest Loser will benefit from the expertise of 24 Hour Fitness(R) personal trainers, even after they've been voted off the show. As part of its continuing partnership with the hit reality series, 24 Hour Fitness will send trainers on home visits with eliminated contestants to help them continue trying to meet their fitness goals.
"24 Hour Fitness values its partnership with The Biggest Loser and our direct brand linkage to the program contributes to the types of success we see in our 400-plus clubs every day," said Tony Wells, chief marketing officer for 24 Hour Fitness. "This program has been a real inspiration for people and we invite everyone to explore how fitness can create lasting change in their lives."
For the past two seasons, 24 Hour Fitness has sent a personal trainer to visit each contestant in their hometown immediately after they are sent home from the program. The trainer assesses their food supplies and provides healthy eating tips, as well as a customized home workout plan to help them stay on track. 24 Hour Fitness has also provided The Biggest Loser contestants with their own in-home exercise tools, including mats, stability balls, and conditioning bands.
During season six, Dallas-based 24 Hour Fitness trainer Israel Allen developed a customized workout routine which played a key role in helping Michelle Aguilar prepare for the finale and take home the $250,000 grand prize, along with the title of "The Biggest Loser."
"It was a real thrill to help Michelle maintain her fitness program leading up to the finale," said Allen. "She put in a lot of hard work and showed how the extra effort can really pay off."
Additional elements for 24 Hour Fitness' partnership with The Biggest Loser include:
-- During the season premiere, contestants will be provided with updated versions of the bodybugg(R) calorie management system. The bodybugg(R) technology has been a valuable tool in helping previous contestants meet their fitness goals. The recently upgraded system is 50 percent smaller than the previous version and is now PC or Mac compatible, with a USB connector to upload and charge the device.
-- A Southern California 24 Hour Fitness club will be featured in a contestant challenge in episode 11.
-- Another mid-season episode will feature an appearance by International Boxing Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard, who will kick off one of the unique 24 Hour Fitness group exercise classes Everlast Shadowboxing.
In addition to the program integration, 24 Hour Fitness will continue its partnership with the first female winner of The Biggest Loser, Ali Vincent. Since winning season five, Ali has continued her workouts at 24 Hour Fitness clubs and remained an inspiration to those looking to change their life through fitness. She will be the face of the integrated marketing campaign encouraging members and consumers to start a new fitness regimen to start off the New Year.
"Participating in The Biggest Loser marks the beginning of a new life for these contestants," said Vincent. "While only one person can officially walk away the winner, each contestant has taken an important first step towards making health and fitness part of their lifestyle. Thanks to 24 Hour Fitness, they'll have the priceless opportunity to continue their quest - even after they've left the show."
24 Hour Fitness will conduct in-club events throughout the season, including "Open Door Saturdays" and pre-show parties in select markets. 24 Hour Fitness has also launched new feature pages on its Web site, www.24HourFitness.com, that include details about the program, trainer stories from their in-home visits with former contestants, and how anyone can take advantage of the tools and tips being showcased on The Biggest Loser.
The Biggest Loser two-hour season premiere will air on NBC on Tuesday, January 6 at 8:00 p.m. eastern/pacific and 7:00 p.m. central/mountain. The new Ali Vincent commercials for 24 Hour Fitness will premiere during this episode and can be seen online at www.24HourFitness.com.
About 24 Hour Fitness
Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness, an innovative leader in the health and fitness industry, serves more than 3 million members in more than 425 clubs. Founded in 1983 as a one-club operation, 24 Hour Fitness pioneered the concept of making fitness accessible, affordable and a way of life for everyone. 24 Hour Fitness has partnered with superstar athletes and celebrities like Magic Johnson, Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Shaquille O'Neal, Jackie Chan, Yao Ming and Derek Jeter to open co-branded clubs around the world. The company demonstrates its leadership through sponsorships like that of the U.S. Olympic Team and a commitment to the community through various charitable and in-kind donations. In addition, 24 Hour Fitness enjoys strategic partnerships with major consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Nike, and for seven seasons has partnered with NBC's popular reality TV show, The Biggest Loser. Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit www.24HourFitness.com for more information and to find the location nearest you.
About The Biggest Loser
The first reality series where everybody "loses," The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives), the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "the biggest loser." Each team works out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.
"The Biggest Loser" series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. Since its debut in 2004, The Biggest Loser has grown to become a standalone health and lifestyle brand by developing tools and products inspired by the show and approved by its doctors and experts. Anchored by the online, subscription-based extension of the show, Biggestloserclub.com, The Biggest Loser Meal Plan, The New York Times best-selling books series, best-selling fitness DVD series, a line of appliances, fitness equipment, protein supplements and countless other health and lifestyle based products, The Biggest Loser consumer products program has generated over $50 million in spending with presence at more than 25,000 major retailers to date. Check out www.biggestloser.com for more information.
SOURCE: 24 Hour Fitness
24 Hour Fitness
Wendy Yellin, 925-543-3184
or
Edelman
Lindsay Murphy, 415-486-3260
Copyright Business Wire 2009
