Under Armour Calls For Athletes to Stop Training in Running Shoes

Under Armour Performance Trainers -- the brand's first non-cleated footwear offering - are built with the advanced stability and support technology that will help athletes training to be better than their best, and improve the physical skills that matter most -- Power, Speed and Evasiveness.

"Today's athletes, who train 95 percent of the time to be at their best the five percent of the time they are competing on the field, court or ice, need better footwear," said Kevin Plank, Chairman and CEO, Under Armour. "Too many young athletes are training in the wrong footwear, and we're offering the equipment that's going to maximize their focused regimen and help make them better."

With the launch on May 3, Under Armour will further grow its footwear offering, which began on-field in 2006 with football cleats, by moving off the field and into the gym with performance trainers in 2008 and paving the way for the potential entry into new categories in the future.

Under Armour Performance Trainers

The Under Armour Performance Trainers line includes the UA Proto Power(TM) Trainer, UA Proto Speed(TM) Trainer and UA Proto Evade(TM) Trainer. Each trainer features Directional Cushioning Engineering (DCE(TM)) - an integrated cushioning, stabilization and propulsion system that strengthens the directional movements and physical skills that matter most to athletes.

The UA Proto Power Trainer enhances vertical stability and propulsion for explosive upward motion and controlled downward impact. The UA Proto Speed Trainer propels athletes along a linear path with total control and comfort to improve straight-away speed. The UA Proto Evade Trainer allows for maximum lateral agility to strengthen quick side-to-side cuts and evasion.

    Technology
    DCE Midsole Components
    -- ArmourGuide(TM) -- Directional cradle that guides the foot through
       athletic movements, providing stability, efficiency, and total
       propulsion
    -- ArmourBound(TM) -- Innovative and proprietary UA material that reduces
       the foot-strike compression found in typical materials and provides
       superior rebound
    -- ArmourLastic(TM) -- Strategically placed shock absorption zones
       decrease the effects of impact

    UA Engineering
    -- Performance Outsole -- Performance engineered blend of multiple rubber
       composites for superior grip, flexibility and durability.
    -- UA HeatGear(R) -- Keeps athletes cool, dry and light when it's hot. The
       original second skin layer, HeatGear(R) sparked the revolution of
       performance apparel and rendered cotton T-shirts obsolete.
    -- UA-Engineered Synthetics -- Provides stretch and recovery, with less
       weight and bulk.
    -- UA Performance Mesh -- Supplies maximum ventilation and minimum weight.
       Performance meshes and strategically placed ventilation zones deliver
       better air-flow and breathability.

Under Armour worked closely with athletes of all levels including Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) and Alfonso Soriano (Chicago Cubs) to field test the performance trainers and ensure they deliver an undeniable performance training advantage.

"Our keen insights from high school, college and professional athletes revealed the lack of proper footwear to fit their unique training methods," said Steve Battista, Senior Vice President, Brand, Under Armour. "As the originators of performance apparel it was our responsibility to make sure young athletes have the footwear that will take their game to the next level."

The Proto Speed Trainer and Proto Evade Trainer are available for men, women and youth. The Proto Power Trainer is available in men's and boys'.

For more information or to request hi-res product images, please contact Tai Foster, MWW@Deutsch, for Under Armour, Inc. at 201-460-2839 or tfoster@mww.com.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour(R) (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional natural fiber products. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is inBaltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium, and additional offices inDenver,Hong Kong, Toronto, andGuangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com.

SOURCE Under Armour, Inc.

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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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