Iron Grip Announces New Licensing Agreement with Impex, Inc. for Iron Grip Sport^TM Brand.

July 26, 2001 , Costa Mesa, CA – Iron Grip Barbell Company has recently entered into a second license agreement with Impex, Inc., granting the consumer equipment manufacturer the rights to use the Iron Grip Sport^TM brand name in conjunction with its newly developed line of strength equipment. The new line will initially launch with 12-15 different benches, free weight pieces and selectorized single-station exercise machines, with plans to expand the offering to a full line of benches, free weight pieces, multi-stack and plate loaded equipment. This premium home strength equipment line will be sold primarily to specialty fitness retailers and selected sporting goods stores.

"Our decision to partner with Impex on a line of benches and selectorized equipment bearing the Iron Grip Sport^TM name is based upon our experience with them over the last three years," says Michael Rojas, president of Iron Grip Barbell Company. "Impex's strong relationships with their retailers, combined with their expertise in manufacturing and skill in marketing their brands gives us a high degree of confidence that the Iron Grip Sport™ line will be a success."

Iron Grip's first license agreement with Impex covers standard and Olympic weight plates that incorporate Iron Grip's patented integrated dual opposing grip design and innovative 12-sided shape. Impex's MAX^TM and Marcy Grip® free weight lines are protected under this original agreement.

Impex plans to debut the Iron Grip Sport^TM line at the Health and Fitness Business Expo and conference in Denver, CO this coming August 9 - 11.

Impex, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of consumer fitness equipment. In addition to the new Iron Grip Sport^TM line, Impex currently manufactures its California Fitness®, Marcy®, MAX^TM, Competitor®, and Powerhouse® lines of free weight, selectorized equipment and accessories. Their current retail distribution extends to many sporting goods and big box retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Garts Sports, Sears, Wal-Mart, Dunham's Sporting Goods, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Copeland's Sports, Galyans Sporting Goods, Costco and others.

Iron Grip will continue to cement its identity as the leader in free weight equipment through branding across additional product lines, and by adding licensees and partnerships when the opportunity presents itself. This strategy has already resulted in Iron Grip Barbell Company becoming the largest commercial free weight manufacturer worldwide with excellent brand recognition in the free weight category.

For more information regarding Impex and its products, please contact John Chavez at 626-961-8686, or visit the Impex web site at www.impex-fitness.com. For more information about Iron Grip Barbell Company, contact the company at 800-664-IRON or visit the web site at www.irongrip.com.

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