Americans Encouraged to Walk On and Run On With Omron

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 80 percent of American adults are not active, while one in four engages in little or no regular physical activity(1). With obesity and its associated health risks becoming a growing epidemic, Omron Healthcare, Inc. has announced the launch of new fitness products and an online training community to encourage increased physical activity, such as walking or running, to improve one's personal health. The Omron GOsmart community (www.TeamGOsmart.com) and new product offerings can help Americans in their quest to get active and inspire them to keep moving.

The ALL NEW GOsmart Pocket Pedometer with Activity Tracker (HJ-203) and the GOsmart Pace/Distance Tracker (HJA-301) has incorporated new technology to make personal motivation easier than ever.

In addition to unparalleled accuracy from its products, Omron has teamed up with Active.com, a leading online community that connects people with the sports and activities they love, want and need to do, to provide users with a unique online training community, tips, tools and personal encouragement to keep users on track with their fitness goals.  The American Council on Exercise notes "group fitness" provides a matchless level of enthusiasm and motivation for all participants(2).

NEW From Omron GOsmart

Omron GOsmart Pocket Pedometers are geared to walkers trying to better their lifestyle by finding opportunities within the day to change their own routine by becoming more active.  Whether skipping the taxi, choosing to take the stairs, or simply parking further away from their office door, users will now have a way to track every step to make it count towards their daily goals.  The NEW HJ-203 model includes an "Activity Mode" which separately tracks and stores steps, distance, calories burned and fat burned during a specified period. Available in black, pink, purple and yellow, this super slim design can fit in any pocket or easily clip to any waistband. The HJA-203 suggested retail price is $34.99.

Omron is also introducing the HJA-301 GOsmart Pace/Distance Tracker, a tool to assist runners in beating their best times and distance by helping them increase their endurance.  Along with featuring accurate Smart Sensor technology, the Pace/Distance Tracker can separately track pace, distance, time spent exercising and calories burned in the "Workout Mode."  This function stores a maximum of seven sessions to provide a tracking system for dedicated runners. The HJA-301 suggested retail price is $49.99.

Both the HJ-203 and HJA-301 feature "Auto Stride" functionality which provides users with a recommended stride length based on height and weight to ensure the most accurate results captured.

TeamGOsmart.com Online Community

The TeamGOsmart.com online community has 17 digital brand ambassadors that will motivate GOsmart team members.  TeamGOsmart.com will serve as a hub where participants can share their successes via photos and/or stories, inspiring other team members to go one step further.  

"At Omron, we have dedicated ourselves to providing products that serve as personal advisors to walkers and runners," says Kristin Vitek, product marketing manager at Omron Healthcare, Inc.  "We want to empower our consumers to achieve and maintain personal fitness goals through precise, uncomplicated fitness products and offer an online community for them to network."  Those interested in becoming part of the team can log on to www.TeamGOsmart.com  for more details.

FREE 8-Week Training Plan

Beginning June 15, 2010, Omron GOsmart is offering a FREE, eight-week walking or running program valued at $25 with the purchase of a Pocket Pedometer or Pace/Distance Tracker.  Each program is designed to get participants ready for a 5K walk or run – or simply just get them moving. In addition to a training plan, participants will also receive daily e-mails with tips on how to succeed throughout the program.    Qualifying products can be purchased at www.OmronWebstore.com and FREE training plans are available while supplies last.  

Motivation a Tweet Away

To get a step ahead of the competition, starting June 15, 2010, simply follow @OmronGOsmart on Twitter and retweet "@OmronGOsmart Walk On. Run On. Omron." Participants will be entered for a chance to win either an HJ-203 Omron GOsmart Pocket Pedometer, or an HJA-301 Omron GOsmart Pace/Distance Tracker.   Five products will be given away each Wednesday through Aug. 17, 2010.  Check out the official rules for complete details at http://www.teamgosmart.com/Twitter_Contest.htm.

For more information, visit www.TeamGOsmart.com.

About Omron Healthcare, Inc.

Omron Healthcare, Inc., located in Bannockburn, IL, is the North and South American sales and marketing office of Omron Healthcare Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of blood pressure monitors for home use. With 100 million monitors sold worldwide to date, Omron Healthcare Group was the first to introduce manual and digital blood pressure monitors into the home healthcare market. Omron Healthcare offers innovative products and medical devices for use in sites ranging from hospitals to the home in the blood pressure monitoring, fitness diagnostics, thermometry, and respiratory categories. Omron Healthcare markets clinically proven products that provide accurate health information to consumers and physicians and support positive lifestyle changes and health improvement. For more information, visit www.omronhealthcare.com.

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010 – www.cdc.gov

(2) American Council on Exercise 2010 - www.acefitness.org

SOURCE Omron Healthcare, Inc.