Spike to debut unscripted competition series to find America's next big fitness phenomenon

Over the last decade, a rising health consciousness has led 30,000 fitness clubs to open across the country, serving more than 58 million members annually. Valued at well over 20 billion dollars, the exercise industry is always on the lookout for the next big idea to continue its rapid growth. With that in mind, on Tuesday, October 20 at 10/9c, Spike debuts "Sweat Inc.," an unscripted competition series hosted and judged by acclaimed health and wellness expert, Jillian Michaels. "Sweat Inc." sets out to find America's next big fitness phenomenon and help turn it into an exercise craze. The winner of the competition will receive $100,000, the opportunity to develop their brand and launch their program at multiple Retro Fitness locations across the country, as well as a feature in Women's Health Magazine.

Before Soul Cycle®, Zumba®, and Crossfit® were household names, they were one of many workout philosophies waiting to sweep the nation. Michaels and her co-judges will meet aspiring entrepreneurs from across the country, and utilize their keen business sense and vast fitness-industry knowledge to find an undiscovered workout poised to be the next innovative exercise program. Twenty-seven ambitious contestants will be put through their paces, and will have to demonstrate that their idea has what it takes to become a mainstream success.

Each episode focuses on a specific fitness category (circuit training, interval training, platform devices, etc.), and highlights three entrepreneurs as they compete to win a spot in the season finale. Every week, the three judges will select one winner from a particular fitness category to advance to the finale. Throughout "Sweat Inc." the entrepreneurs will be judged on their initial idea for an innovative exercise program, the progress of control subjects training in their particular program, the popularity of their program among gym goers, and the development of their initial pitch throughout the entire process. After 10 weeks on "Sweat Inc.," the winning entrepreneur will have demonstrated the highest level of business savvy and innovation, and have a complete workout movement ready for the masses.

Joining Michaels on the "Sweat Inc." judges' panel are fitness industry experts Randy Hetrick and Obi Obadike. Hetrick is the creator of Suspension Training® – the innovative approach to physical conditioning that has become a global fitness phenomenon – and is the founder of TRX, the global leaders in functional training. Hetrick's unique accomplishments include being a collegiate athlete, a 14-year Navy SEAL Officer, bootstrap entrepreneur, multi-patented inventor, and CEO of a company that's earned multiple placements on the rosters of the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies and Outside Magazine Best Places to Work. Obadike is a nationally recognized celebrity fitness expert, trainer and one of the top 10 most influential fitness authorities on the internet. As a Division I collegiate track athlete at Cal State Fullerton, Obadike held school records in 100 and 200 meters and 400 relay events for several years and was a Co-Athlete of the Year. An official spokesperson for OWNZONES and host of "Workout with Obi", Obadike has also maintained a visible presence in the industry gracing more than 50 fitness magazine covers and publishing 100+ articles in fitness magazines. Additionally, Obadike was recently named Writer of the Year for Bodybuilding.com.

In addition to the "Sweat Inc." experts, celebrity fitness judges will join the panel throughout the season to lend their specific expertise to select fitness categories. Guest judges include Tito Ortiz (Bellator MMA), Lolo Jones (US Olympian), Kit Hoover (Access Hollywood Live) and Terrell "T.O." Owens (NFL legend). Also, the series finale culminates with additional experts from the health and fitness industry to weigh in on the final entrepreneurs' programs. Final judging authorities like Beto Perez (Creator of Zumba), Alberto Perlman (Co-Founder of Zumba), Kelly Starrett (Founder of San Francisco CrossFit), and Amy Keller Laird (Editor in Chief at Women's Health) will add their valued opinions to our "Sweat Inc." judges' assessments.

SOURCE Spike TV