PARKINSON’S PUNCH
It’s been an incredible three-year journey with Rock Steady Boxing (‘RSB’) in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
RSB gives people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum. Exercises are largely adapted from boxing drills, conditioning for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. At RSB, Parkinson’s disease is the opponent.
Here’s our story …
In 2017, we found RSB on Instagram and instantly fell-in-love with the organization’s passion for this fight. With a non-contact boxing platform geared toward conditioning, bFIVE40 saw an opportunity to introduce our high-performance inflatable punching bag with custom graphics called Bonk Fit.
We worked together to create unique graphics for RSB boxers. Bullseye targets on back to help boxers sharpen aim and focus. Extreme sensitivity to movement makes Bonk Fit an excellent tool for increasing movement amplitude. Intense bounce-back action from punches and kicks to translate neurologically, instilling a sense satisfaction and achievement. Even when boxers aren’t having their best day, they can still feel strong and encouraged to fight!
We sent samples for testing to RSB headquarters in Indianapolis …
“We received our Bonk Fit today – can I just say this is way cooler than I imagined??? Ha! I have no idea what I thought was going to be coming to us, but we pulled it out and were blown away. How fun! We are going to blow it up later today and try it out with our classes tomorrow.”
“Our Parkinson’s folks love using the Bonk Fit. We are receiving great feedback from RSB affiliates!”
– Jessica Fithen, RSB Corporate
Bonk Fit became RSB coach-approved equipment and received a product listing in the new affiliate intro package along side heavy punching bags offered by Century Martial Arts and Everlast. We created a dedicated landing page on our website for RSB affiliates to purchase Bonk Fit. Within twelve months, Bonk Fit was being used in over 200 RSB locations …
“We received our Rock Steady Boxing Bonk Fit and our boxers LOVE it. We’re ordering more!” – Laurie Baumgartner
“The Bonk Fit is used in every one of my Parkinson’s fitness classes, and the reception to it has been wonderful! I use it in my weekend non-contact boxing class, too (which isn’t a Parkinson’s specific class). Bonk Fit adds another element to the boxing portion of my class. You can move around the Bonk Fit, react to it as it bounces back up, partner work is possible, and the targets with numbers makes adding progressions easy (e.g. “give me a 1-2, now a 1-2 -slip, and now a 1-2-slip-3-4). So, fantastic mind and body connection going on there.” – Virginia D
“We love our Bonk Fit and use it every time we box; it offers a different kind of tactile response for our Parkinson’s boxers. So glad I was finally able to purchase it. RSB of Central Florida says, Go Bonk Fit!”
“I love Bonk Fit, it’s great for my boxers who are sitting down and it’s easy to move around the gym. It’s a great marketing tool also. I was at a Parkinson’s walk and was able to bring the Bonk bag instead of dragging a heavy bag there. Thanks!” – Alison M
“Our boxers at RSB-Jackson *LOVE* the Bonk Fit! I had our boxers write on the skin, what they hated about their disease then hit it; every new boxer who comes in does the same. I incorporate “Rocky Parkinson” as we’ve named him, into every class. Thank you so much for developing this product. – Looking forward to meeting you in September!” – Laura C
“Very good quality products. We use the Bonk Fit in our Rock Steady Boxing program with senior people having Parkinson’s disease. Helps improve hand-eye coordination and partner synchronism. We even named it “James” Bonk ! Thank you Bonk Fit!” – Andreanne T
“Our boxers love it and it’s a good way to improve hand-eye coordination with this low-impact buddy!” – RBS Sherbrooke
Click here to see Bonk Fit in action.
In 2018, bFIVE40 joined Century Martial Arts and xPLOR Inc. to sponsor RSB Coach Con 2018, the first educational conference for RSB-coaches. At the conference, Bonk Fit received praise from the daughter of Mohammad Ali, Rasheda Ali, who was a guest speaker with a powerful heartfelt message for RSB.
At this time, bFIVE40 was expanding its business to offer printed event signage and custom products, including sports and fitness apparel. Shortly thereafter xPLOR Inc. hired bFIVE40 to produce signage for RSB Coach Con 2019.
“Donna and the bFIVE40 team have been wonderful to work with for the past few years. They go above and beyond to make sure their customers are satisfied. We have several of the inflatable punching bags at our HQ location, and love the fact that they’re customized specifically for us.” – Sara Roque, RSB Corporate
To date, bFIVE40 has produced Bonk Fit for over 400 RSB gyms worldwide and we’re creating RSB-branded apparel, accessories and event signage, including event tents, banners, flags, table coverings, and more.
With the Covid-19 outbreak, RSB affiliates are utilizing Bonk Fit for virtual classes to keep boxers engaged and connected from the safety of home. To learn more, use the link below. Enter special promo code below at checkout for free sand-fill and shipping.
Website link: http://www.bonkfit.com/rsb-punching-bag-virtual-class
Promo code: RSBBONK
We love Rock Steady Boxing. Look forward to many more years of growth and success together!
