Looking to Shape Up for Summer? The Solution May Be the Steps You're Already Taking

Looking to Shape Up for Summer? The Solution May Be the Steps You're Already
Taking
Celebrity Trainer Offers Easy Tips to Elevate Your Walk to a Workout

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is officially here, and that
means longer days and warmer weather are afoot. The season is also notoriously
a time when people want to get in shape. Yet nowadays, hitting the gym can be
daunting, especially with so many people pressed for time and money. But good
news - there's an easy way to shape up for summer that's accessible,
affordable and can accommodate even the busiest of schedules - it's walking.
No wonder it's the number one fitness activity(1) for adults. And with the
simple addition of a few fitness goals and a pedometer, you have everything
you need to elevate your walk to a workout.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090714/CG45935)

Walk It Out
Many people don't realize the walking they already do each day is a positive
step to help them get fit. In fact, studies have uncovered a long list of
benefits from walking, including reduced body fat, lowered cholesterol and
blood pressure as well as increased flexibility and mental well-being. It's
widely recommended adults take 10,000 steps a day, the equivalent of about
five miles, which can be achieved by walking 30 - 60 minutes at one time or in
multiple 10-minute increments over the course of the day.

Walking is also a key component to many fitness plans, including that of
trainer-to-the-stars, Ramona Braganza, who's helped shape some of the hottest
bodies in Hollywood from Jessica Alba to Halle Berry. "For me, being fit is a
lifestyle. I'd be bored just going to the gym every day. That's why I always
recommend walking to my clients as a great form of exercise," Braganza said.
"Adding a few easy things into your daily routine can help you make sure that
every step counts."

A Passion for Pedometers
One of Braganza's favorite fitness tools is a pedometer, which can help keep
track of the steps you're already taking and give you a benchmark for
measuring progress. Research shows that using a pedometer can increase
physical activity by about 2,000 steps(2) - or an extra mile - each day,
proving that it's also a great motivational tool that can push you to go
further.

"I arm all of my clients with a pedometer to ensure they're still held
accountable, even when I'm not there," Braganza said. "It's like having a
personal trainer in their pocket that keeps pushing them to go further."

Braganza recommends the GOsmart(R) Pocket Pedometer from Omron, which features
smart sensor technology making it one of the most accurate pedometers
available. Using smart sensors, it can count steps whether it's clipped at
your hip, buried in your pocket or even attached to your bag, and since there
are no moving parts, there's no annoying clicking sound. Trusted for its
accuracy, the GOsmart(R) line of pedometers allows you to track steps taken,
calories burned and distance walked. Coupled with a seven-day memory, it
provides everything you need to chart progress, compare to your goals and
proactively manage your shape-up strategy.

Free Downloadable "Further Your Finish Line" Tip Sheet
Along with incorporating a pedometer into your daily routine, some of
Braganza's other get fit tips include:
-- Warm Up First. Before you walk, perform some dynamic stretching
exercises (arm circles, hip circles and leg lifts) to get your blood
flowing and reduce the risk of injury. Always wear comfortable shoes,
preferably ones with arch support.
-- Mix it Up! Add variety to your walking program, especially if your
personal fitness goal includes weight loss. Try alternating intervals
of
fast walking with intervals at a slower pace. Walking up hills is also
great for a challenge.

-- Add Resistance. Include some upper body exercises as you walk, such
as
arm reaches overhead or to the sides to add another dimension to your
walk and increase calorie burn. Hold small water bottles while you do
the exercises for added resistance.

Visit www.gosmartpedometers.com to download all of Braganza's tips or learn
more about GOsmart(R) pocket pedometers, including models HJ-112 (MSRP
$34.99), HJ-113 (MSRP $34.99) and the HJ-720ITC (MSRP $59.99) which allows you
to download your data directly to your PC. GOsmart(R) Pocket Pedometers from
Omron are sold online and at sporting goods stores nationwide.

About Omron Healthcare, Inc.
Omron Healthcare, Inc., located in Bannockburn, IL, is the North and South
American sales and marketing office of Omron Healthcare Group, a leading
manufacturer and distributor of blood pressure monitors for home use. With
more than 80 million monitors sold worldwide to date, Omron Healthcare Group
was the first to introduce manual and digital blood pressure monitors into the
home healthcare market. Omron Healthcare offers innovative products and
medical devices for use in sites ranging from hospitals to the home in the
blood pressure monitoring, fitness diagnostics, thermometry, and respiratory
categories. Omron Healthcare markets clinically proven products that provide
accurate health information to consumers and physicians and support positive
lifestyle changes and health improvement. For more information, visit
www.omronhealthcare.com.

(1) National Sporting Goods Association, 2007
(2) Stanford School of Medicine, November 20, 2007

CONTACTS: Caroline Guth
Weber Shandwick
312-988-2410
cguth@webershandwick.com

SOURCE Omron Healthcare, Inc.

Caroline Guth of Weber Shandwick, +1-312-988-2410, cguth@webershandwick.com,
for Omron Healthcare, Inc.