LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

Jukestir is the latest performance tool being used by all the athletes. It claims to be the only boxing bag that trains both your body and mind. It uses dynamic motion technology to ‘rewire your body and your brain’.

It has been proven to help improve coordination, balance and cognitive function – as you never quite know where it is going to move – so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.

Because it encourages you to move your body around in response to its movements, it is claimed that it can also fight of the advancement of Parkinson’s. Sufferers often have a disconnection between the brain and feet so it helps to strengthen coordination and sharpen reflexes. Ultimately they say it reduces falls.

When my new Jukestir boxing bag arrived, I was so excited to try it out. I have always loved boxercise so feel like this is a new way to keep fit.

I hung it up and got to work with it right away. I really enjoyed my boxercise classes with JE Thrive at the five star Anda Barut. Here I met lots of Olympic athletes. I know that boxing is a great sport to work out, so I look forward to downloading some videos and tips and tricks to get the most out of this new piece of kit.

Brad Evans, the creator of Jukestir, says that the punching bag is changing the way we think about fitness. It was originally designed as a fun martial arts tool but it has now evolved into a powerful nervous system training device that’s now used in neurological rehab labs, Rock Steady Boxing programmes, and with everyday people of all ages and abilities.

Originally it was a garage experiment for Brad, who was a history teacher, and wanted to create something to challenge and stimulate him during workouts.

Little did he know it would turn into a paradigm-shifting fitness tool that promotes resilience, coordination, and mindfulness, all through unpredictable movement and fun.

Brad said: “I made it in my garage, and then took it to Virginia Tech for improvement and now we have a professional factory do it.

So what is it all about? Brad explained: “Take your cell phone, it looks the same year after year, its inside you want to upgrade, so that’s what I am trying to change for people.

“Its your nervous system that is driving everything so its important to train.

“It is a human cat toy, its moving around and it is unpredictable, so your brain loves that challenge, which makes it fun.

“Most kids get a mobile when they are an infant and that is all about see, think, react, why do we stop that. Jukestir is like a mobile for adults.

“I didn’t want my workout to be a chore, if something is fun, its easier to do.” Brad said.

This resonated with me because I hate routine, which is why I dont really stick to the gym. I like every day to be different.

I also struggle with coordination and I want to make sure I work on my health to be the best I can in my older years. So when I discovered Jukestir I was so excited.

Whether you’re an MMA fighter, a 70-year-old building balance, or someone who just wants workouts to be less boring, this is the tool for you.

“When it comes to training, I am not knocking the heavy bag, but you grow more when you miss, so you can get better and eventually you’ll get faster.” said Brad.

It is all about improving reaction times and helping understand how your brain works. As well as the physical benefits, there are lots of emotional benefits to Jukestir too. It is a product that tests your resilience so you can get back on your feet. Its more subconscious but teaches you to keep going and roll with the next punch.

It helps with mental resilience. It is good for people with sensory issues too including ADHD and I plan to use it every day to see if it helps me to manage my stress.

Also punching something mindfully is something that grounds you in the present and you have to be present on the moment because its never the same thing twice, because the bag never moves the same way twice. Its about what its about right now, rather than what’s worked in the past.

Interestingly, the Jukestir bag is used by the US Olympic team, UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and more, but increasingly ordinary people who want to improve their hand, body coordination. It is also a great tool for racing drivers.

Brad said: “Even though I made it for MMA, I am happier with it being a Parkinson’s tool to help people heal, its neat to see how people can be helped by using this bag.

“There are of course ways to train your nervous system but the Jukestir is game changing. Your nervous system is the basis of everyone and you need to keep it well oiled just like any other part of your body.”

My verdict, from what I have read and seen for myself, the Jukestir bag is a portable and fun dynamic tool which is great to take with you to anywhere you are going and help you work out any frustrations.

What I love most about it as an ADHD creative, is that it is designed for unpredictable movement, so it helps users improve their reactions whether that be through hand and eye coordination or fall prevention.

Most of all it helps build neural pathways and stress and reduction tolerance as well as keeps you fit mentally. I would recommend it to anyone and I am also so excited to see how it helps people with Parkinsons too.

I plan to let several of my friends and relatives try it out too and get their reactions.

First up my niece Bella Peters who is a kart racer, and several elite athletes as well as someone with the onset of Parkinsons.

 You can get your own bag, by ordering here.