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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --ÌýThe start of the new year marks the start for many to rededicate themselves to a personal routine. Sears, already the nation's largest fitness retailer, has reinforced its industry leadership role with a series of innovations that integrate in-store and online fitness retailing to help consumers achieve their fitness goals.

"Whether just starting a new workout routine or a longtime enthusiast, customers want a complete solution," said Hugo Malan, SVP and president, Fitness, Sporting Goods and Toys at Sears Holdings. "Sears sells more fitness equipment than anyone else and we believe in continually improving our offering, so we have built an online fitness community and developed new destinations that attract customers both in-store and online."

Sears recently completed construction on its latest "Fitness Flagship" store-within-a-store. Continuing a roll out that began last year at select Sears locations and now in more than 35 sites, these 6,000 sq. ft. Fitness Flagship specialty stores feature polished hardwood floors, tall mirrors, expanded equipment layouts and resemble a modern, high-end gym. The Fitness Flagships are staffed by expert salespeople who have been trained on products and trends, and feature dozens of floor models to try from leading brands like NordicTrack, LifeFitness, Sole, Smooth, ProForm, AFG, Bladez, Schwinn and others.

From In-Store to Online

Sears' online fitness website, , has become the most comprehensive online fitness community for both fitness enthusiasts and professionals. FitStudio was created with the help of an advisory board of fitness and nutrition professionals and features free access to a range of training resources, including: blog posts about fitness trends, a content-rich video library demonstrating individual exercises, complete workouts and multi-day exercise programs. The site connects members to a community of thousands of motivated experts and allows them to purchase gear and equipment from top brands. Members can also access FitStudio's database of more than 130,000 personal trainers and identify a local trainer and fitness events by a zip code search.

"People need to adjust their thinking and realize a fitness plan is not about weight loss, but about empowering yourself to meet realistic goals," said Andrea Metcalf, author of Naked Fitness, and a FitStudio advisory board member and blogger. "Your chances for success rise when you're not going it alone, which is exactly what FitStudio gives you – a comprehensive resource to live a fit life."

Customers looking to take their fitness routine to the next level can sign up in-store at Sears or online at FitStudio for the new service. FitStudio e-trainers are certified personal trainers who interact with individual subscribers daily with a step-by-step plan – including nutrition/meal plans, workout regimens and interactive tracking tools – to motivate their client and adapt the plan to reach their fitness goals. Membership starts at $9.99 per week for a six-month (26 weeks) plan and is also available in three-month and month-to-month options. As an additional incentive, now through Jan. 31, 2012, Sears is offering one free week of FitStudio e-trainer with the purchase of any piece of fitness equipment of $500 or more.

For additional media materials, information or to arrange an interview or in-store filming please contact Megan.Tarsha@Searshc.com.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,700 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes over 890 Full-line and more than 1,350 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End—among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at .

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SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation