TRX® Takes Aggressive Action to Protect Consumers Against Illegal Knock-Off Products

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TRX®, the creators of Suspension Training® bodyweight exercise, today introduced an authentication campaign designed to prevent counterfeiting and piracy efforts around its popular fitness products, beginning with the TRX  FORCE®  Kit: Tactical. To combat the increasing amount of counterfeit TRX products being sold illegally, the company has placed a hologram hidden under the TRX badge and on the product's packaging, including information that encourages customers to authenticate and register their TRX products. While holograms have been utilized by TRX on products previously, the full authentication campaign will begin with the launch of the TRX FORCE® Kit: Tactical.

The authentication program is designed to alert customers of the potential safety hazards associated with knock-off products that aren't designed or manufactured according to the stringent and recognized safety standards maintained by TRX. Additionally, it provides customers an added measure to verify the authenticity of their TRX products. To verify an original TRX product, customers simply locate the serial number on the genuine TRX hologram, log on to www.trxtraining.com/activate and register the product. The registration process will validate the serial number, activate warranty and also allow customers to download free content.  

"As the creators of Suspension Training, we have assumed the leadership position in protecting the integrity of our proprietary products to ensure that consumers are provided products that maintain the highest standards of safety, performance and value," said Randy Hetrick, CEO and Founder of TRX. "Not only does piracy threaten the integrity of the TRX brand and our products, but more importantly, it threatens consumers who are misled and ripped off by inferior and often dangerous products that can ultimately result in injuries."  

Safety is a primary goal of the authentication campaign. Counterfeit products do not hold up to the safety standards of TRX products. TRX is committed to producing only best-in-class products, rigorously tested and constructed to withstand intensive daily use by thousands of TRX users. For this reason, top health clubs, elite trainers, professional athletes, U.S. Military and mainstream consumers trust and use TRX equipment, making it the leading suspension training product on the market today.

All TRX products go through a rigorous process to ensure its durability and quality. This approach to quality control ensures that TRX products exceed even the most stringent military specifications. TRX builds quality and durability into its designs. The use of industrial strength materials, redundant stitching and other fail-safe features create a strong and safe product that cannot be duplicated by copycats or counterfeiters. Extensive tests are performed on the materials and components used in TRX products, which must meet touch quality standards and specifications. This approach to quality control ensures that TRX products meet and exceed the most stringent quality and safety specifications.

In addition to superiority in quality of construction and safety, TRX products offer superior value through industry-leading programming. While false and illegal purveyors of TRX Suspension Trainers may advertise their products as authentic, knock-off vendors cannot match the extensive programming and education that only TRX provides. After breaking new ground by creating the Suspension Training exercises, TRX went a step further in developing a wealth of programming and education, designed to provide an ever-increasing level of value for TRX customers. To date, TRX has trained more than 30,000 fitness professionals and coaches across 40 countries through its accredited, comprehensive Suspension Training Courses. These professional education courses are officially recognized by the leading certification organizations in the fitness industry. In addition, United States Department of Defense purchased 24,000 TRX Suspension Trainers, which were distributed to deploying U.S. Military brigades and battalions.

Additionally, TRX is taking an aggressive legal approach to impede the sale of pirated products.  Over the past year, the company has legally reclaimed ownership of more than 100 domain names that were used by cybersquatters to sell counterfeit versions of its products. At the same time, TRX has successfully delisted nearly 7,000 products from sites such as eBay, and a large number of counterfeit listings from similar sites around the globe.  

TRX employs a devoted anti-piracy team that scours websites on a daily basis, and works with Google and other sites to identify and take down counterfeit listings and advertising campaigns. Similarly, TRX has working relationships with U.S. Customs, as well as Customs in some of its key markets including China, United Kingdom, Italy and more, to help identify and confiscate counterfeit shipments.

About TRX®

TRX® is the world's preeminent producer of physical training equipment, exercise programming and education designed for trainers, health clubs, military users, fitness-minded consumers and athletes of all levels. TRX®  designs and sells original products of innovative design and premium quality construction, including Suspension Training® and Rip™ Training equipment and exercise programs that are changing the way athletes train for sport, soldiers train for combat, physical therapists rehabilitate patients and exercise instructors train their clients.  The complete line of TRX® products, training programs, education and accessories can be purchased directly from TRX® online at www.trxtraining.com.  For more information on TRX® products, education and programming, call (888) 878-5348 or email [email protected].

SOURCE TRX