BLENDING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND PUBLICITY TO ESTABLISH TWO NEW FITNESS PRODUCTS: THE SOFTSTRIDER AND MOMENTUM BY HEALTH RIDER

CLIENT: ICON HEALTH AND FITNESS

CATEGORY: Fitness/Sporting Goods Companies

BACKGROUND

ICON Health and Fitness, the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the United States approached Dr. Rippe and RLI to help test and promote two innovative fitness products. A new treadmill, the Softstrider, was developed by ICON with the innovative feature of a cushioned belt to partially absorb impact during walking and running. The Momentum Elliptical Trainer was the ICON Health and Fitness entry into the elliptical exercise trainer market.

RLI'S RESPONSE

The staff of RLI conducted biomechanical research to substantiate significant decreases in impact during walking and running when exercising on the Softstrider treadmill when compared to other treadmills. Dr. Rippe hosted a highly successful infomercial on the Softstrider that ran for approximately one year on national television. For the Momentum, RLI conducted research documenting the metabolic expenditure of exercise on this trainer compared to other forms of home exercise equipment. Dr. Rippe served as a medical and scientific expert on the infomercial describing the Momentum Elliptical Trainer.

RESULTS

The Softstrider infomercial was highly successful generating $2.50 in revenue for every dollar spent. Substantiation of claims for both the Softstrider and Momentum played a critical role in ICON Health and Fitness' response to concerns from the FTC regarding claims made for both of these products.