Business news :Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. Acquires the Ugi Brand

VENICE, Calif. -- Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc., a global leader in equipment-based fitness education and the parent company of Spinning®, Peak Pilates®, Bodyblade® and Resist-A-Ball®, announced today the acquisition of the Ugi™ brand and select assets from Ugi Fitness, Inc., a Vancouver-based fitness company.

Mad Dogg Athletics will provide business experience, operational resources, and marketing support that will help expand sales, International distribution, brand awareness, and programming and trainings for Ugi.

"The versatile and functional-training aspect of the Ugi system and carefully-developed programming will undoubtedly complement our current family of brands as both companies share the core philosophy of providing quality products and education that promote a healthy lifestyle," said Mad Dogg Athletics Founder John Baudhuin.

Standing for "u got it," Ugi's program design includes 30-minute functional-workouts centered on a weighted Ugi™ ball and its unique "squishability" which challenges stability, strength and endurance, differing it from any other fitness ball available. Currently available are the Ugi at home system and the Ugi group training system which include workout DVDs with instructions, tips, modifications and 150 exercises with a Ugi workout guide to create unique configurations for 30-minute sessions.

More than two years of research and testing went into the development of the Ugi ball, which are hand-stuffed with a combination of recycled rubber and a patented polyester fiber fill that maintains shape and bounce-back capability. The shell is made out of a highly durable, wax-coated, polyvinyl material. The balls, which come in a variety of colors and weights, incorporate aspects of a medicine ball, a stability ball and a BOSU ball all in one tool.

"This is an exciting next step for Ugi Fitness and I am pleased to join with an industry-leading company to combine skills and talents and help expand the Ugi system into new areas and markets within the health and fitness field," said Sara Shears, Co-founder of Ugi Fitness, Inc. and Program Creator.

Shears will continue to remain closely involved with Ugi Fitness and Mad Dogg Athletics to help further implement and expand programming and training.

About Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc.
Home of the Spinning®, Peak Pilates®, Resist-A-Ball®, Bodyblade®, SPIN Fitness®, CrossCore® and KettleBell Concepts brands, Mad Dogg Athletics is the world's largest equipment-based education company. Mad Dogg Athletics has trained more than 200,000 instructors and has reached millions of enthusiasts in more than 80 countries worldwide through a network of more than 35,000 fitness facilities. The company manufactures home Spinner® bikes, Pilates and functional training equipment, DVDs, and a complete line of Spinning-branded apparel and accessories. Mad Dogg Athletics also works closely with Star Trac®, who is the licensed distributor of the patented line of Spinner bikes for the commercial market. Find out more about Mad Dogg Athletics equipment, products and education at www.maddogg.com or by calling 800-847-SPIN(7746).

About UGI Fitness, Inc.
UGI Fitness Inc. has created a distinctive 30 minute workout program centered on a weighted Ugi ball that has a unique "squishability" unavailable in any other ball. The workout is 30 minutes, 30 exercises, one unique ball and you. It combines strength, cardio and core training into one challenging and efficient program.