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Biggest Loser Matt Hoover Makes Fitness a Family Legacy with Help from BOB® Strollers

Boise, ID - October 1, 2009

2005 TV Weight-Loss Winner Sets New Goals –From Ironman Triathlons to Teaching Kids to Love Exercise

BOISE, ID (October 1, 2009) – When Matt Hoover was declared the “Biggest Loser” in 2005, many thought his 157-pound weight loss marked the most transformative experience of his life. For Hoover, the real change came after the final weigh-in, when he married his wife, Suzy – also a contestant on the show – and became a father for the first time soon after.

Currently training for the Ford Ironman World Championship taking place in Kona, HI, in October, the father to Rex, 2, and Jax, 1, is taking on an even bigger life goal – transforming his family legacy by teaching his kids to love fitness.

“Having children was the best thing that’s ever happened to Suzy and I, because it inspires us to be active all the time as a family,” said Hoover. “We never want our boys to grow up seeing their parents as unhealthy, struggling with their weight, or using it as an excuse to become overweight themselves. We want them to know from a young age that fitness is not only important, but fun.”

For many family fitness outings, Hoover relies on BOB strollers – high-quality, rugged models that help facilitate active family endeavors. In his quest to get his kids outside and moving as much as possible, Hoover said the popular three-wheeled strollers have become a fixture in family photos, along for the ride on trips to the snow to cut the Christmas tree, beach outings and other adventures.

“We initially bought a BOB because we just thought it looked cool, but we ended up loving it,” said Hoover, who owns the BOB Revolution, Revolution Duallie and Ironman models. “They’re really a fitness investment for your family – we even attach speedometers to ours.”

After receiving a special invitation from Ironman to participate in the World Championship, Hoover knew that he wanted to share the training experience – which sometimes consists of seven hours of biking, swimming and running a day – with his sons. Naturally, the BOB Ironman stroller, designed especially for serious runners, proved to be a perfect training partner that allowed the kids to get involved.
 
“When I go from a bike to a run with the stroller, it’s great to have my kids there, pushing me to go faster, even if I’m tired,” he said. “The BOB Ironman is so light and easy to push, yet it also provides that added resistance to further my workout. Best of all, you can run at a good pace and not have to worry about it going off track or breaking down. It’s just a solid stroller.”

And just as Hoover intended, his children are learning about the joy of exercise through his example. Rex recently finished his first 5K (in a BOB stroller) and even crossed the finish line with his dad at Hoover’s first Ironman 70.3. Already developing a great respect for fitness pursuits, it’s not unusual for the Hoover boys to “play triathlon” or yell out “Go!” to runners and bikers on the street.

“Even at such a young age, being active has already become a way of life for them, and that makes me so proud,” said Hoover. “We don’t own video games or watch much TV. Our kids would rather go to triathlons, even if it means getting up at 5 a.m., because they want to watch Dad and Mom.”

After the Ironman Championship in Kona, Hoover isn’t certain what his next big fitness goal will be, but he does know that he will continue to pursue his passion of helping parents raise healthy children.

“People underestimate the importance of being involved with their children in an active way,” he said. “Even if it’s just walking with the stroller or taking a trip to the zoo, you’re instilling a positive association with fitness and all of the confidence that comes with it.”

For more information on Matt Hoover, please visit http://www.matt-hoover.com/. For more information on BOB, editorial media can visit http://www.bobgear.com/ or contact Jordan at On the Horizon Communications at (805) 773-1000 or jordan@thepressroom.com.

Look for BOB strollers and accessories in baby stores and sporting goods stores nationwide. BOB formed in 1994 as one of the first manufacturers of single-wheeled bicycle cargo trailers. As the founders of the company became fathers, they designed and developed the first Sport Utility Stroller in 1998. For more information, visit the website at http://www.bobgear.com/.