Agreement Involves Implementation of New Leaf Diagnostic Systems Designed for the Management and Improvement of Cardio Respiratory Health
ST. PAUL, Minn. (March 8, 2005) – The New Leaf Health & Fitness unit of Angeion Corporation (Nasdaq: ANGN–News) today announced it has signed an agreement with Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM), a national operator of large and distinctive health and fitness centers, whereby New Leaf metabolic measurement technology and products will be used to support Life Time Fitness member programming nationwide. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Life Time Fitness will leverage New Leaf’s proprietary technology in providing its members with a personal Metabolic Assessment Profile (MAP) at rest and during exercise. The MAP provides metabolic markers that are used by Life Time Fitness in providing its members with individualized, heart rate based exercise programs designed to help achieve specific health and fitness, weight management, or athletic performance goals.
The New Leaf Active Metabolic Training™ System is a scientific measurement of metabolism. Unlike generalized indices, which are created based upon average body types and offer only estimates, the New Leaf system can determine the number of calories an individual can eat each day without gaining weight. The system’s most distinctive feature is the ability to accurately assess an individual’s metabolic response while exercising for ten minutes on any piece of cardiovascular fitness equipment, such as a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical machine. The system continuously monitors a person’s heart rate and takes a snapshot of their aerobic fitness; caloric burn rate, fat utilization, anaerobic threshold and peak oxygen capacity, all of which contribute to overall conditioning. Based upon the resulting data, an individual is provided with guidance on how hard and how long to exercise to reach their personal fitness goals.
“We are pleased to partner with Angeion’s New Leaf unit and incorporate their unique, scientifically-based technology into our fitness and nutrition programming,” said Mark Thom, senior director of Fitness Research and Development, Life Time Fitness, Inc. “With this cutting-edge system in place, we look forward to further extending the individualized components of our member services, allowing them to train smarter, not harder, in pursuit of achieving their health and wellness goals.”
“Life Time Fitness brings a category-redefining approach to its centers and wide range of education, exercise and nutrition services,” said Rodney Young, Angeion’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased with their adoption of and confidence in our metabolic assessment and training systems and to be an integral component of their member programming.”
About Angeion Corporation
Founded in 1986, Angeion Corporation acquired Medical Graphics Corporation (http://www.medgraphics.com) in December 1999. Medical Graphics develops, manufactures and markets non-invasive cardio respiratory diagnostic systems for the management and improvement of cardio respiratory health. The Company has also introduced a line of health and fitness products, many of which are derived from Medical Graphics’ cardio respiratory product technologies. These products, marketed under the New Leaf Health and Fitness brand (http://www.newleaffitness.com/) help consumers effectively manage their weight and improve their fitness. They are marketed to the consumer primarily through health and fitness clubs, personal training studios and other exercise facilities. For more information about Angeion, visit (http://www.angeion-ir.com)
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM) operates distinctive and large sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort/spa centers. As of March 8, 2005, the Company operated 40 centers in eight states, including Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. The Company also provides consumers with nutritional products and supplements, the award-winning healthy lifestyle magazine, Experience Life, world-class athletic events, full-service spas, cafés, personal training consultation, health and nutrition education, and corporate wellness programs. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (www.lifetimefitness.com). LIFE TIME FITNESS and EXPERIENCE LIFE are registered trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
