Oregon Scientific Launches Industry's Only Button Free, Touch-Screen Heart Rate Monitors for Hassle-Free Exercise

TUALATIN, Ore., Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Oregon Scientific, a leading designer and worldwide marketer of personal electronics, and Gaiam, Inc., the leading distributor of lifestyle media, have teamed up to launch the only line of button free, touch-screen heart rate monitors.  The Gaiam Touch, a recent recipient of the prestigious International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award in the Health & Wellness category, features fashion-forward colors and a comfortable, slim design – 2 millimeters thinner than any other heart rate monitor on the market.  Building on consumer research to create a more intuitive user experience, the directional touch-screen allows for easy navigation between heart rate, calories burned and workout time with just the touch of a finger – no more fumbling with cumbersome buttons during workouts.  The Gaiam Touch line is available nationwide at the Oregon Scientific Online Store, Target, Sports Authority, Academy Sports, MC Sports and Athleta.

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The Gaiam Touch is available with a chest strap, which allows for continuous heart rate monitoring, or as a strap-free model for on-demand heart rate monitoring. The strap-free Gaiam Touch utilizes ECG technology, requiring only a touch of a finger on the monitor's sensor for an accurate heart rate reading. The strap model operates in digital and analog modes and tracks fat burned. Both strap and strap-free models easily track calories burned and heart rate data.  Stopwatch, zone alarm, clock and calendar functions are all rolled into a slim design with a soft, silicon strap for a more comfortable workout experience.

Heart rate monitors are considered the most accurate way to measure both heart rate and exercise intensity, ideal for those looking to take their workouts to the next level whether training for a marathon or as an occasional gym-goer.  Weight loss goals are best achieved when exercising in the "fat burning zone," or maintaining a heart rate at 60-70 percent of the maximum rate.  Both Gaiam Touch models offer alert function signals when heart rate is below or above optimal levels to keep you on pace to achieve your fitness goals in style.  User profiles can be entered in setup mode for a more customized workout experience.

The Gaiam Touch Heart Rate Monitor (with chest belt) is available in light blue and black colors and has a suggested retail price of $109.99.  The Gaiam Touch Strapless Heart Rate Monitor is available in pink or navy blue and has a suggested retail price of $99.99.   Both models are available nationwide at the Oregon Scientific Online Store and at Target, Sports Authority, Academy Sports, MC Sports and Athleta.

About Oregon Scientific
Founded in 1989, Oregon Scientific is headquartered in Tualatin; a quaint suburb of beautiful Portland, Oregon.  Oregon Scientific offers six families of products, ranging from youth & learning to sports & fitness.  Built from its hallmark of timing and weather devices, Oregon Scientific is expanding to meet the diverse needs of its customers to enhance the way we live, work and play.  Consider Oregon Scientific's products to be Innovating the Everyday.

Oregon Scientific is a division of one of the world's premier electronics manufacturers, Integrated Display Technology, Ltd. (IDT), based in Hong Kong.  IDT was founded in 1977 and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as IDT Technology.

About Gaiam, Inc.
Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA) is a leading producer and marketer of lifestyle media and fitness accessories. With a wide distribution network that consists of 62,000 retail doors, 14,400 store within stores, 5,600 media category management locations, a digital distribution platform and more than 8 million direct customers, Gaiam is dedicated to providing solutions for healthy and eco-conscious living. The company dominates the health and wellness category and releases non-theatrical programming focused on family entertainment and conscious media. In addition, Gaiam has an exclusive licensing agreement with Discovery Communications and other licensing partners. For more information about Gaiam, please visit www.gaiam.com or call 1.800.869.3603.

SOURCE Oregon Scientific