One of television's newest breakout stars hails from Fresno and is gaining a loyal following.
Marketed from a small warehouse in northwest Fresno, an elliptical cross trainer called StreetStrider has gained a prominent role on NBC's The Biggest Loser. Participants use the workout device -- which resembles a treadmill on wheels -- to help lose weight and become more physically fit.
The Biggest Loser tested StreetStrider behind the scenes for two seasons until it made its debut this year. In season nine, which starts Tuesday, the mobile exercise device gains a higher profile.
"A fleet of StreetStriders is being used," said Garrett Watkins, a Fresno native who returned to the Valley to build the StreetStrider brand, which is now licensed by The Biggest Loser.
A University of Alabama physiologist with bad knees invented StreetStrider, but the effort didn't gain traction until after he hooked up with Watkins on another proposed project.
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