AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Zuffa, LLC today announced the latest edition to the expanding UFC® videogame portfolio with UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System. Designed by the National Academy of Sports Medicine® (NASM®) with support from leading mixed martial arts (MMA) training experts Mark DellaGrotte, Greg Jackson and Javier Mendez, who have worked with renowned UFC fighters such as current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir, the fitness routines and full programs included in UFC Personal Trainer will deliver a challenging and motivating UFC fitness experience that includes the best and most effective exercises utilized by today’s renowned UFC fighters. UFC Personal Trainer is currently in development on Kinect™ for Xbox 360®, with content exclusive to Kinect for Xbox 360, voice command navigation and a full-body tracking system, to bring forth an innovative and intense workout complete with immediate feedback on form and technique. In addition, UFC Personal Trainer is in development for PlayStation®Move for PS3™ and Nintendo’s Wii™ system, with a scheduled release date of June 2011 for all three platforms.
“UFC Personal Trainer delivers an authentic UFC fitness experience that is both fun and challenging while providing an intense workout,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “With the help of NASM and its Optimum Performance Training™ model, as well as the expertise of renowned MMA trainers Mark DellaGrotte, Greg Jackson and Javier Mendez, we are developing an original, high impact product that will help people around the world set and achieve their personal fitness goals.”
“We are excited to join forces with THQ on the development of UFC Personal Trainer,” said UFC President Dana White. “We want to give fans the opportunity to train like their favorite UFC athletes, and this product will enable people around the world to learn and utilize exercises to get real results.”
About UFC Personal Trainer
Designed by NASM with support from leading mixed martial arts (MMA) training experts Mark DellaGrotte, Greg Jackson and Javier Mendez, the fitness routines and full programs included in UFC Personal Trainer will deliver a challenging and motivating UFC fitness experience that includes the best and most effective exercises utilized by today’s renowned UFC fighters. DellaGrotte, Jackson and Mendez currently operate three of the most prominent MMA training facilities in the world and have significantly contributed to the success of many elite UFC fighters, including current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir.
Users will learn over 70 MMA and NASM-approved exercises, including moves from disciplines such as wrestling, kickboxing and Muay Thai, that are designed to improve strength, endurance and conditioning through use in a variety of routines. All 51 routines, along with nine exclusive bonus routines on Kinect for Xbox 360, will be specialized to target specific muscle groups, as well as factor individual skill levels and fitness goals. In addition, users may focus on specific fitness objectives by building personalized routines with up to 12 different exercises. Each of the custom routines can be modified to increase or decrease intensity of the product’s pre-set pace, enabling users to fully maximize their training experiences based on individual preferences. Across the training experience, users will punch and kick virtual authentic MMA training gear, with Kinect for Xbox 360 users having access to exclusive branded equipment.
In Ultimate Training Mode, users will hit the mitts against a variety of popular UFC personalities, including Kinect for Xbox 360 exclusive fighters Dan Hardy, Frank Mir, Diego Sanchez and Kenny Florian, in a variety of challenging rhythm and timing-based agility drills that utilize punching and kicking sequences. They will unlock a variety of different drills to earn rewards, each with increasing difficulty, as well as have the ability to compete against friends and issue challenges in a multiplayer environment.
UFC Personal Trainer will provide additional guidance and encouragement throughout the fitness journey by enabling users to select a goal and work with DellaGrotte, Jackson or Mendez for personalized instruction. They will learn MMA-inspired exercises, as well as authentic training techniques and healthy lifestyle choices through a comprehensive fitness experience. In addition, users looking for a dedicated program system focused on losing weight, building strength or improving performance may take advantage of either a 30 or 60-day program that best fits their needs. UFC Personal Trainer also includes an interactive journal that will enable users to view a comprehensive calendar of their specific routines and time management while tracking progress and receiving recommendations to help meet their desired results.
For more information on UFC Personal Trainer, please visit www.ufcpersonaltrainer.com, facebook.com/ufcpersonaltrainer and twitter.com/UFCPT.
Ultimate Fighting Championship® - www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over 12 UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world. UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s VERSUS network. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries and territories, reaching 354 million homes worldwide, in 19 different languages. Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gym™, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo™ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.
About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About NASM
Since 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has been a global leader in providing evidence-based certifications and advanced credentials to health and fitness professionals. In addition to its NCCA-accredited fitness Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification, NASM offers a progressive career track with access to Advanced Specializations, Continuing Education courses, and accredited Bachelor and Master Degree programs. The NASM educational continuum is designed to help today’s health and fitness professional enhance their career while empowering their clients to live healthier lives. To learn more, visit: www.nasm.org or call 1.800.460.NASM (6276).
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox LIVE logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.
Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa®, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.
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The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to UFC Personal Trainer and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2010 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and particularly the discussion of trends and risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.