To support Exercise is Medicine®, the Interactive Health Group is adding an exercise prescription module to their existing solution platform, making it simpler and more efficient for physicians to prescribe exercise and refer patients to exercise professionals when appropriate.

“We’ve seen the power of exercise to prevent and treat chronic diseases,” said James Whitehead, CEO of the American College of Sports Medicine. “This tool, being developed with the Interactive Health Group, takes us a giant step toward making physical activity a part of every patient’s healthcare plan. A physician can quickly access research-based recommendations to write a customized exercise prescription for every patient. This is transformative.”

A survey conducted by the ACSM found that nearly two thirds of patients would be more interested in exercising to stay healthy if advised by their doctor and given additional resources. Four out of ten physicians talk to their patients about the importance of exercise, but don’t always offer suggestions on the best ways to be physically active. And twenty-five percent of patients look to their doctor first for advice on exercise and physical activity.

With this partnership, physicians will have an efficient system, accessible from their patient care computer, to risk stratify patients, assess level of physical activity, provide personalized medically appropriate exercise prescriptions, and refer patients to exercise professionals. Patients not needing a referral to exercise in a medically supervised program receive a personal account to self-manage their health and fitness, using tools to track vital stats, select carefully designed exercise programs, log exercise results and track outcomes.

The online system, now undergoing testing and expected to launch later this year, supports Exercise is Medicine goals to:
1. Create broad awareness that exercise is indeed medicine;
2. Make “level of physical activity” a standard vital sign question in each patient visit;
3. Help physicians and other healthcare providers become consistently effective in counseling and referring patients as to their physical activity needs;
4. Produce an expectation among the public and patients that their healthcare providers should and will ask about and prescribe exercise.

The Interactive Health Group is pleased to partner with Exercise is Medicine and provide physicians an efficient, automated system so they can effectively counsel their patients and refer them to professionals as appropriate. More information: www.interactivehealthpartner.com .

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

About, owned by the New York Times, says “The LifeSpan TR3000i is the winner of the 2011 About .com Walking Readers’ Choice Awards. For walkers, it has a step count display and exercise programs that include heart rate control workouts. LifeSpan brings its treadmills into the modern era with a USB port to use to save your workout data so you can upload it to your private health management account. And you can plug your MP3 player into its high quality speakers. If you need a lower price point, the TR1200i was also nominated.”

The LifeSpan TR3000i treadmill also received praise from Fitness Professor earlier this year. “The all new TR3000i offers the quality consumers are looking for in an affordable package, plus LifeSpan’s wonderful Fitness Club software. With power, speed and programming to spare, the TR3000i is a great treadmill and our HEAD OF THE CLASS Winner (Best Treadmill under $1,500).”

The LifeSpan Fitness Club provides each member a personalized online account to consolidate and manage exercise data and vital statistics in one place. The TR3000i console includes USB technology, allowing workout data to automatically save to a USB device for easy uploading into the member’s account.

The LifeSpan Fitness Club helps members lose weight, reduce medications, train for upcoming runs, and simply live healthier. Members set goals and plan physical activity by creating personalized workout calendars. They enter exercise data and vital stats manually or by uploading data from their USB device. And they stay engaged in their health and fitness through motivating progress reports.

With higher healthcare costs and rising obesity, fitness equipment is challenged to do more than provide a good workout. Success with USB technology and the LifeSpan Fitness Club has led LifeSpan to incorporate it into a suite of exercise equipment and health monitors including the LifeSpan blood pressure monitor and digital bathroom scale.

The recent awards from About and Fitness Professor acknowledge LifeSpan as a fitness industry leader, integrating quality innovative fitness equipment with online health and fitness management.

More information: http://www.lifespanfitness.com .

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News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

Fitness Professor awarded the EL3000i “Head of the Class” winner for best elliptical in its price range, and also praised the EL1000 as “a great feeling elliptical and a real contender in its price class.” LifeSpan ellipticals scored high for ergonomics, quality of construction, smoothness and resistance.

Treadmill Doctor awarded the EL3000i Best Buy runner-up, and rated LifeSpan ellipticals high in reliability and value. “With major improvements over LifeSpan’s old elliptical designs, the EL1000 has become a reliable choice at $999… LifeSpan’s products won’t disappoint you. This is one of the better choices this year… The EL1000 and the EL3000i are both solid values.”

In addition to review group ratings, a respected Collegiate Instructor of Exercise Science praised LifeSpan elliptical trainers in a recent product evaluation. According to James Menz, MS, CSCS, CES, “LifeSpan ellipticals boast a lower and more rhythmic stride, enhanced arm motion, and better overall body positioning. They are as comfortable in the fortieth minute as in the fourth.”

Below are highlights from the evaluation:
- The angled arm piece creates a converging arm swing, much more in harmony with the user’s natural upper body motion.
- Handlebar placement keeps the arms comfortably engaged, even for prolonged sessions.
- The knees are kept in a slightly flexed, or “softened” position throughout the descent and stride. Many ellipticals, even much more expensive models, force the knee into hyperextension (locked position).
- Pedal spacing and step up height are superior to models costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars more.
- The user’s body is beautifully centered and balanced, encouraging the user to stay on longer, and allowing seamless transitions to and from the hands-free position.

Compact LifeSpan EL1000 and EL3000i ellipticals save floor space, and the low step-up height makes them ideal for low-ceiling rooms. Ergonomic Natural FIT features include comfortable closely-spaced pedals, uniquely-designed handlebars that narrow the width as your arms extend forward, and a perfected elliptical stride pattern so arms and legs flow naturally to simulate your body’s everyday movement.

More information: http://lifespanfitness.com .

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PDF copy of release: send2pressnewswire.com/mediadrome/news_2011-01-0128-001.pdf .

After independently reviewing and testing hundreds of treadmills, Treadmill Doctor rated the LifeSpan TR1200i the BEST new treadmill, praising it for quality construction, walking area, and value.

Fitness Professor, also an independent fitness equipment review group, awarded the TR1200i best treadmill in its price range. “The all new TR1200i offers the quality consumers are looking for in an affordable package plus LifeSpan’s wonderful Fitness Club software. A great treadmill and HEAD OF THE CLASS Winner – Best Treadmill under $1,000.”

Both Treadmill Doctor and Fitness Professor praised the TR1200i folding treadmill for its unique and innovative health and fitness membership included with purchase. The LifeSpan Fitness Club provides members personalized online accounts, used to consolidate and manage all their exercise data and vital statistics in one place. The TR1200i console includes USB technology, allowing workout data to automatically save to a USB device for easy uploading into the user’s account.

The LifeSpan Fitness Club has helped members lose weight, reduce medications, train for upcoming runs, and simply live healthier. Members of the LifeSpan Fitness Club set goals and plan physical activity by creating workout calendars best suited for them. They manually enter exercise data and vital stats, and upload data automatically saved to their USB device. They stay engaged in their health and fitness by reviewing progress reports that motivate them to re-establish personal goals to achieve more.

With higher healthcare costs and obesity statistics rising at an alarming rate, fitness equipment is challenged now more than ever to do more than just provide a good cardiovascular workout. Success with USB technology and health and fitness club software has led LifeSpan to incorporate it into a suite of exercise equipment and health monitors including the LifeSpan blood pressure monitor and digital bathroom scale.

The recent awards from Treadmill Doctor and Fitness Professor Review acknowledge PCE as a leader not only in manufacturing innovative quality fitness equipment, but also in leading the fitness industry to integrate equipment and technology with overall health and fitness management.

More information: www.lifespanfitness.com .

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» Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)
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Bringing this exciting new feature to organizations that use the IHP to manage their members’ health and fitness and to individual users in the LifeSpan Fitness Club makes it easy to track all physical activity in one central online location. Users can upload workout data automatically saved by any IHP certified device including Garmin activity monitors and LifeSpan fitness equipment and health monitors, as well as directly enter exercise results from other fitness activities such as cycling, swimming or group exercise classes. Comprehensive yet easy to use, the IHP online health and fitness management program makes it simple to track exercise and analyze the effectiveness of fitness efforts over time.

Connecting online fitness tracking with users’ preferred activity monitors and exercise equipment is core to the IHP strategy. Peter Schenk, President of PCE Health & Fitness, believes “Technology will change how Americans think about exercise, by raising awareness of daily physical activity levels and changing how they manage health and fitness. We are dedicated to being a leader in this behavioral shift, using the power and reach of the internet.”

The IHP continues to join forces with the best exercise equipment, activity and health monitors, and exercise programming to improve the health and fitness of its members. Integrating with popular devices such as Garmin is the latest example of utilizing technology to provide easier, faster ways to upload data from a variety of health and fitness devices.

No matter what the goal, from losing 10 pounds to lowering cholesterol or blood pressure, the IHP is a simple and affordable online solution that engages users in their health and fitness so they can be successful in achieving their personal health and fitness goals.

More information: www.InteractiveHealthPartner.com .

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The compact LifeSpan TR200 treadmill is designed for light use walking indoors in small workout spaces. “This category buster is a very compact treadmill that could be stored under something that has about 12 inch clearance,” says the leading consumer products testing group who selected the TR200 treadmill as a Recommended pick for its Unique Design. Treadmill Doctor also praised the compact LifeSpan TR200 treadmill as “One of the most innovative new treadmills in an industry that is lacking in regard to innovation.” Finally, Fitness Professor says the TR200 folding treadmill is “Perfect for those looking for a simple, easy-to-use AND easy-to-store walking treadmill. Hands down the TR200 is our Head of the Class winner for treadmills under $1,000!”

The LifeSpan TR200 folding treadmill is contemporary, convenient and sized perfectly for light users looking for a simple, portable walking treadmill. This compact folding treadmill is surprisingly sturdy, yet small enough to use in any workout space. It has features not found on similar treadmills such as incline to simulate uphill walking, contact heart rate sensors to monitor heart rate, and built-in speakers with premium sound for mp3 tunes. The intuitive console features a large, easy-to-use display with six exercise programs, motivating readouts and quick speed and incline buttons. All this plus it comes fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box.

The compact TR200 treadmill folds quickly and easily to store under a bed, in a closet or behind a door. Unlike most folding treadmills where the deck folds up, the TR200′s unique design allows the handlebars to fold down and lay flat on the treadmill deck, making it ideal to store vertically or horizontally at only 11 inches thin.

Bruce Pechman, independent fitness equipment reviewer, sums up the TR200 treadmill saying: “I love it! It has a rock solid frame and combines high-end treadmill features and attributes with the bonus of folding away quickly and easily.”

More information: http://www.Lifespanfitness.com .

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The LifeSpan EL1000 elliptical was also highly rated in the elliptical reviews. “The EL1000 has become a reliable choice… one of the better choices this year,” says the treadmill and elliptical review group. LifeSpan ellipticals scored well for reliability, value and ergonomics. “The improvements that LifeSpan made two years ago really showed up well in the market last year. The EL1000 and EL3000i ellipticals are both solid values.”

LifeSpan ellipticals were also awarded the symbol of manufacturing excellence award earlier this year for combining high quality with innovative, compact design.

The compact LifeSpan EL1000 and EL3000i elliptical trainers are carefully designed with details important to consumers. LifeSpan ellipticals are compact to fit comfortably in your home, saving you floor space without sacrificing quality or durability. The low step up height makes these ellipticals ideal for low-ceiling rooms.

In addition to compact size, LifeSpan elliptical trainers are recognized for ergonomic Natural FIT features. Comfortable closely-spaced pedals, uniquely-designed handlebars that narrow the width as your arms extend forward, and a perfected elliptical stride pattern let your arms and legs flow naturally, simulating your body’s everyday movement. This natural fit makes your exercise more comfortable, as well as minimizes the risk for injury and decreases the stress to your spine, knees and hips.

LifeSpan elliptical consoles are highly functional, simultaneously displaying all information you need to stay motivated. Engaging workout programs, designed by an Exercise Physiologist, help you achieve your fitness goals whether you want to lose weight, train for a sporting event or simply live healthy.

The EL3000i elliptical trainer also includes a membership in the LifeSpan Fitness Club, a unique online health and fitness management program that keeps track of your exercise data that is automatically saved onto a USB device as you exercise on your EL3000i elliptical.

For more information, visit: www.lifespanfitness.com .

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The July issue of Health praised the TR4000i’s interactive USB (Universal Serial Bus) that automatically transfers information to your computer to track progress. The TR4000i treadmill includes a membership in the LifeSpan Fitness Club, an exclusive online health and fitness management solution that tracks physical activity and vital stats uploaded from a USB device, and also allows entering other physical activity and vital stats. Users access their accounts from the Internet, which is like having a virtual personal trainer at all times. In addition to tracking exercise results and vital stats, users can use the LifeSpan Fitness Club to set goals, create a customized exercise plan, and compare progress to their goals.

LifeSpan is a leader in using technology to integrate fitness equipment with health management. “We believe technology will drive significant change in how Americans maintain their health and fitness,” says Peter Schenk, President of PCE Health and Fitness. “We are dedicated to being a leader in this behavioral shift driving the integration of fitness equipment with the Internet and developing features that make our equipment more effective, engaging and entertaining.”

The USB feature on the LifeSpan TR4000i treadmill is an integral feature of the LifeSpan i family of products, which includes LifeSpan treadmills, elliptical trainers and health monitors such as the LifeSpan blood pressure monitor. Each product includes a membership in the LifeSpan Fitness Club.

The Best Treadmill award also recognized numerous features of the fully-loaded LifeSpan TR4000i treadmill, which makes it ideal for casual walkers to serious runners. These features, combined with recording and tracking exercise results in the LifeSpan Fitness Club, help users achieve their personal health and fitness goals; whether it’s to lose weight, reduce stress, manage blood pressure, or train for a race.

For more information, visit www.lifespanfitness.com .

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

In the fitness equipment award review, the LifeSpan rowing machine was highly rated for being smooth, quiet, comfortable and easy to use. The rower’s sturdy, durable construction supports users up to 300 pounds. The Eddy Current Drive System, magnetic brake resistance and no-slack retrieval system offer users a quiet, smooth workout without friction. The LifeSpan RW1000 rowing machine includes simple to use features and meaningful readouts including distance, time, calories, stroke count and strokes per minute. Finally, for those with little space the rowing machine folds up to a compact size for quick and easy storage.

The award for the LifeSpan rowing machine is a result of LifeSpan’s commitment to delivering quality products to support consumers health and fitness needs. “When we designed this rowing machine, our goal was to create an affordable rower that would give everyday users a quiet, smooth workout in their homes,” says Peter Schenk, President of PCE Fitness. “To achieve this goal we incorporated two key features. The magnetic brake resistance gives users maintenance-free benefits while providing a realistic rowing feel found in higher-end competitive rowing machines. Combined with our patented no-slack retrieval system which eliminates the slack commonly found in rowing machines with Eddy Current Brake systems, these features result in a quiet, smooth workout for users,” says Peter.

Rowing is an excellent form of exercise that provides a great cardiovascular workout while also toning and strengthening arms, legs, shoulders and back. Using a rowing machine you’re able to get a total body workout in a short amount of time. The award-winning LifeSpan rowing machine has been well-received by consumers, as noted by Mark Benson who recently purchased the LifeSpan RW1000 rowing machine. “I needed a decent cardiovascular workout that also works as many muscles as possible while not being too rough on my knees,” says Mark. “It was well worth my investment!”

More information: www.lifespanfitness.com.

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2008 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The NHLBI approved LifeSpan to join reputable brands including Diet Coke, Johnson & Johnson, General Mills and Swarvoski in The Heart Truth campaign to raise awareness of heart disease among women. LifeSpan is the only fitness equipment manufacturer to partner with The Heart Truth.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. 1 in 4 women dies of heart disease. 1 in 30 women dies of breast cancer. The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign for women and heart disease, is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The Red Dress reminds women to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. Leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes getting physical activity, can help lower the risk of heart disease by up to 82 percent.

The Heart Truth is part of PCE’s ongoing community responsibility commitment to support national health-related initiatives.

“We believe exercise is imperative in preventing chronic conditions such as heart disease,” says Peter Schenk, President of PCE Health and Fitness. “As a company in the health and fitness industry, it is our responsibility to do our share to help improve the health of Americans by educating consumers and offering solutions.”

Although significant progress has been made in raising awareness among women about heart disease, from 34 percent to 62 percent since 2000, most women still fail to make the connection between risk factors and their personal risk of developing heart disease. To learn more about your risk factors, go to www.hearttruth.gov. PCE is proud to support this valuable campaign and help make a difference in women’s lives.

The Heart Truth and Red Dress are trademarks of DHHS.

Participation in The Heart Truth by PCE Fitness does not imply endorsement by DHHS/NIH/NHLBI.

All trademarks acknowledged.

News Source: PCE Health and Fitness :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2008 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.