PUMA Trains Alongside Cara Castronuova to Launch Women's PowerCore Training Collection

WESTFORD, Mass., Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Because working out is always more fun with friends, sportlifestyle brand PUMA has linked up with two-time Golden Glove winner and "Biggest Loser" alum Cara Castronuova to launch the sportlifestyle brand's new PowerCore collection. Hitting stores in Summer 2012, the women's training collection focuses on strengthening and enhancing a woman's core muscles while still delivering upon the fashion-forward style and edge PUMA is best known and adored for.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111121/NE10790 )

In true PUMA fashion, the brand's relationship with Cara will be far from "traditional." As part of the long-term relationship, she will appear at several consumer and press events representing the brand, including the company's first BodyTrain Together weekend, a full training and wellness weekend for consumers, in early 2012. PUMA will also work hand-in-hand with Cara to develop a national women's training program that focuses on core work-out regimens and activities that build strong, toned bodies, and are also fun and social in nature.

"I've always been a huge fan of PUMA. As an athlete, I've worn PUMA and always admired them for their attention to creating the right gear for the right performance activities that infuse color and smart design," said Cara. "And, as a woman, I've always loved their fashion-forward collections – from their motorsport line to their heritage styles to their cute ballerina flats. PUMA is a perfect fit for both my training and social life."

Cara recently lent her support to PUMA at the brand's Riddim & Run Event to benefit Soles4Souls, last month in Los Angeles. Donating a pair of her own PUMA sneakers, Cara joined in PUMA's fight to help those in need through the power of Soles4Souls.

Cara's roots in fitness and training stem from boxing, where she started to train from the age of 5 with her father until he passed away when she was only 14.  To honor him, she continued to train and won her first match in 2002 at the NY Empire State Games in Syracuse. Known as a fighter not only in the ring but also outside of the ring, Cara devoted much of her time to working with youth to teach them the virtues of boxing and sports. During this time, she continued on her path in training and became a certified trainer at popular clubs such as Chelsea Piers and Gleason's Boxing Gym. Balancing a professional training career with her quest to become a champion boxer was no easy feat and Cara won a pair of Silver Gloves in 2004 and soon after won her first New York Golden Gloves championship in 2005 and repeated as Golden Gloves champ in 2006. From there, Cara continued to shine with top rankings at matches and tournaments around the New York.  Today, Cara is most notably recognized for her role in helping people meet their fitness goals in the 2011 season of NBC's "Biggest Loser," where she successfully trained a team in their quest for a healthy lifestyle. Today, she continues to train clients and box with a goal.

"Cara has such an incredible energy, passion and killer style! There's a mutual respect for the work that we both do and we're thrilled to work alongside Cara to launch our new PowerCore training collection," said Tara McRae, Vice President of Marketing for PUMA North America. "Cara has a keen understanding of what our female consumer needs when it comes to a training regimen and has a fighting spirit becoming of a PUMA partner. Her insight and knowledge, matched with our delivery of a design driven performance collection, will make for a successful long term launch and overall partnership."

The PUMA PowerCore apparel collection is a mix of apparel tanks, tees, tops, pants and shorts giving women the best of performance – ranging from fit, feel, functionality and technology – with the latest in PUMA fashion and design.  The collection will launch in Summer 2012 at PUMA Stores, PUMA.com and select retailers.

PUMA

PUMA is one of the world's leading Sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the principles of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. Sport Fashion features collaborations with renowned designer labels such as Alexander McQueen, Mihara Yasuhiro and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and Tretorn. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com.

SOURCE PUMA North America, Inc.