How I learned to Jump
How It All Began: A Personal Triumph
[This article was first published in English on LinkedIn, April 28, 2023]
Born with a hip deficiency, I faced not one but two surgeries as a young kid. The doctors painted a bleak picture for my parents, telling them that I would be "a lifetime invalid and never be able to participate in any sports." They even doubted my ability to walk properly. My parents, however, were determined to prove the doctors wrong. They tirelessly sought out ways to invigorate me and get me moving in a moderate exercise-type way, ultimately leading me to the world of rebounding. And guess what? I was able to defy the odds, participate in all kinds of sports, and exercise regularly, thanks to their persistence - and the power of rebounding.
"Throwback to my first public run! 🏃 Rocking the vintage look with my stylish stockings while everyone else played it safe with shorts and sports socks. 😎 #FashionPioneer #RunwayReady - Photo by author.
Rebounding for Unfit Individuals: A Bounce for Every Body
Picture this: health workshops from my childhood, with my parents guiding unfit people of all ages on a journey to discover the joy of 'moderate exercise'. My dad, the fitness maestro, would gather the group for a slow, gentle jog (nowadays called 'Zone 2' intensity, as defined by www.intervals.icu). As they moved along at a snail's pace, he'd dish out the details on how their bodies were reaping the rewards of this easygoing workout. And when I say slow, I mean really slow; regular walking folks might still walk faster than this group "ran."
Embracing the Gentle Pace: The slow jogging group flourishes as the lady with the envelope (marked by an arrow) discovers a newfound love for exercise - Photo: "Ostholsteiner Anzeiger"
Before one memorable jog, my dad handed a sealed envelope to an elderly lady who looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. She was to open it only after the 30-minute experiment was over. With the envelope acting as a mysterious motivator, the group embarked on their slow-motion run.
Once the half-hour was up, the woman cracked open the envelope, scanned its content, and read aloud with a newfound sense of pride:
"I never thought I'd see the day when I'd actually enjoy exercise, especially since I've never done anything like this before in my life. But here I am, having just completed a 30-minute run that felt more like a walk in the park. I didn't break a sweat, and the time zipped by like a sports car on an open road. I can finally picture myself sticking to a regular workout routine that's actually fun!"
This was my lightbulb moment. Unfit folks need an approachable, enjoyable exercise that won't leave them gasping for air and counting down the seconds until it's over. They need something that makes their bodies say, "Heck yes! Sign me up for more!"
Enter rebounding: the low-impact, high-fun workout that's perfect for everyone, from fitness newbies to seniors rediscovering their inner child.
The Science Behind Rebounding
Rebounding isn't just child's play; it's a scientifically proven workout that combines cardio, strength, and balance training. When you bounce on a mini trampoline, you're working against gravity, which challenges your muscles and increases your heart rate. A NASA study found that rebounding is an incredibly efficient form of exercise, offering greater benefits than running or jogging with less impact on the joints [1].
At the same time, Swedish scientists were also promoting mini-trampolining for health and fitness. I mean, if both NASA and Sweden agreed on something, it had to be true, right? 😉
Uniting the best of both worlds: NASA's seal of approval meets Swedish innovation for the ultimate lightbulb moment! 💡🇺🇸🇸🇪 #ReboundingRevolution #JumpStartYourHealth - Photo Credit: author
Turns out, they both were right. Rebounding is a Full-Body Workout
Rebounding offers a full-body workout that engages every major muscle group. As you bounce, you're not only working your legs but also your core, arms, and back. The constant push and pull of gravity during each bounce increase muscle strength and endurance, making rebounding a well-rounded and effective workout.
Low Impact, High Reward
One of the best things about rebounding is its low-impact nature. Unlike running or jumping on solid ground, the flexible surface of the mini trampoline absorbs the shock, minimizing the stress on your joints. This makes rebounding an excellent option for people with joint pain, arthritis, or those recovering from an injury.
Rebounders provide a smooth, healthier bounce with almost no negative impact on joints and ligaments, while jogging on treadmills and pavement puts a great amount of stress on feet, ankles, knees, and joints, making injuries common. Photo by bellicon
Bouncing into Business: The Origins of bellicon
It all started with a dream, fresh out of college, when I decided to launch my own mini-trampoline company, VTM (Vital Trainings Management), right in my garage. I enlisted the help of my old high school friend and engineering graduate, Heiko Schmauck, and together, we embarked on this bouncing adventure. With my brother's assistance, we found a Czech manufacturer capable of producing the first truckload of clunky black steel frames, while we sourced the mats and bungee bands from a Swedish supplier. After three months of hard work, we finally had our first mini-trampoline in our makeshift office (ahem, shack), and we proudly named it the "Medi-Swing".
Starting Small, Dreaming Big: Our DIY Promotional Team
With limited resources, we had to make do with the best promotional team we could afford...which was us. During this time, I came up with my own set of rules for success:
Be professional.
Think big.
It's okay to spend half your budget on an awesome director's chair.
Only hire models with high self-esteem.
Humble beginnings: Our backyard photo shoot that sparked a trampoline revolution. 📸 #DIYMarketing #ChasingDreams - Photo by author
The Big Leap: Merging Forces and Creating bellicon
In 2003, we knew that in order to grow our business, we needed to find a strong partner. That's when we merged VTM with RDE (Rebound Dynamics Europe), a company based in the village of Bellikon, just outside of Zurich, Switzerland. With the fusion of these two like-minded enterprises, we gave birth to a new brand: "bellicon." This merger marked the beginning of an incredible journey that would take our mini-trampolines to new heights.
Embracing New Horizons: Our Manufacturing Adventures in China
The first item on our post-merger agenda was to join RDE's production facilities in the bustling cities of Shenzhen and Tianjin, both located in China. This new chapter in our journey came with its fair share of pros and cons. On the one hand, we had the exciting opportunity to explore China during our numerous business trips. On the other hand, we faced challenges regarding production quality, achieving mixed results that prompted us to rethink our manufacturing strategy.
When in China, embrace the adventure: Balancing business, quality control, and some hilariously questionable fashion choices! - Photo by author
A New Chapter: German Engineering and High-Quality Design
When a German business partner suggested we manufacture our products in Germany, we knew it was the right move. This decision marked a paradigm shift, elevating our bellicons (yes, we named our product after the company) to aircraft-grade production quality.
Our collaboration with a natural latex manufacturer allowed us to refine the elasticity of our bungees. By calendaring the polymer molecules of the latex to stretch in only one direction, we optimized the elasticity for the perfect bounce. Additionally, the mat itself boasted its own elasticity, contributing to an even smoother rebounding experience.
Within a year, we introduced a stainless steel version of the bellicon. This new design transformed our mini-trampoline from a fitness machine to a stylish interior design piece that still delivered an exceptional workout.
The essence of elasticity: It's all about the bungees, baby! 🌟 #BungeeMagic Photo credit: bellicon
A Serendipitous Sign: The Call to Chicago
In 2009, at the Medica trade show in Duesseldorf, a Canadian businessman approached our booth and exclaimed, "Mr. von Kunhardt: America needs your product!" The United States had always been my dream for bellicon, so I took it upon myself to explore the North American market with the hope of setting up a new bellicon US HQ.
bellicon's destiny was calling: When America said, 'Jump!' we leaped 🚀 Photo credit milkdesign.de
I visited several US cities, including Boston, NYC, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, and finally ended my exploration tour in Chicago. There, I met with business consultant Dan Ehmann for a brainstorming and number-crunching weekend in August of 2009. I weighed the potential risks of moving my family and business to the US, wondering if Americans would be willing to buy our premium-priced products, especially considering the competition from lower-priced, Chinese-manufactured alternatives.
Unexpected Inspiration: A church service like no other, in a stunning concert hall. Photo credit: author
Feeling the need for some divine guidance, I decided to attend a church service in Chicago with Daniel. That Sunday, the sermon was about "Serving in the City" and referenced the apostles Saint Paul and Philippus, who left their homes to serve in various cities. The minister then asked the congregation:
"So I ask everyone in here: Where are the Philipps who come to Chicago?"
Both Dan and I were baffled by this unexpected message. He turned to me and said, "Wow, a sermon just for you!"
After the service, I called my wife in Germany, shared the story, and she replied, "Well, then Chicago it is!" Her brave response was a testament to her unwavering trust and support, especially considering she had never been to Chicago before. The rest, as they say, is history. In June 2010, my wife, our four kids, my sister, and I moved to Chicago to start bellicon USA!
🇺🇸 #ChicagoCalling #BraveDecisions - Photo credit: author
Back to Square One: A Humble New Beginning in Chicago
After establishing operations in Cologne and Bellikon, it felt like we were starting from scratch again. The team consisted of just my sister and me, sharing a small desk in a tiny office in Chicago's West Loop district. We had everything set up: a newly founded LLC, a brand new US website, fresh brochures, and a 1-800 number. When the phone rang for the first time after three months, we nearly had a heart attack. On the line was a lady from Rockford, Illinois. She said she wanted to buy a bellicon from us, and at 83 years old, she didn't have much time to get fit. She needed the bellicon as soon as possible (ASAP as possible, if you catch our drift 😉) and asked how quickly we could deliver.
That night, we popped open a bottle of champagne by Chicago's shorefront at Lake Michigan, celebrating our first US sale and the beginning of a new chapter.
From humble beginnings: The birth of bellicon USA. Photo credit: author
Expanding Horizons: Growing the bellicon Family
As our success in the United States continued, we quickly expanded our team and operations, welcoming Stan Tencza as our COO at bellicon. We established our own warehouse, where a dedicated team assembled bellicons tailored to each customer's preferences (with over 315,000 different customization options!).
Not only did we grow our marketing and customer service teams, but we also established our own research department. We aimed to be at the cutting edge of rebounding-related research, transitioning from anecdotal customer feedback to science-backed facts about the health benefits of the bellicon.
A standout member of our team, John Hines, collected a wealth of research from around the world, creating an extensive collection of articles for our knowledge base. One of his most exciting discoveries was a South Korean study that showed women rebounding could actually improve their bone density. This was groundbreaking news, as it was previously thought that rebounding could only slow down or halt bone density degradation. Learning that it was possible to reverse this process and rebuild bone strength was truly a game-changer for us – and fantastic news for our customers!
Bouncing to the Beat: Celebrities Join the Rebounding Revolution
Rebounding has become more than just a form of exercise; it's a movement that's capturing the attention of people worldwide, including celebrities. The unique benefits and exhilarating bounce of a mini trampoline make it a perfect way to combine fitness and fun. Plus, the rhythm of the music adds an extra layer of enjoyment, making it an exciting way to Leap & Jam while getting your groove on and your bounce back.
Who would have thought a trampoline could look that good? Yes, there is a trampoline in this photo...it’s at the bottom. Photo credit: Maxim USA
Sir Isaac Newton once said, "What goes up must come down."
But when it comes to rebounding, it's more like, "What goes down must come up" - because when you sink into the mat of a mini trampoline, you'll bounce right back up again! This secret ingredient for fun – just like kids jumping on their parents' bed – unleashes our inner child and ignites that 'Heck yes!' feeling, making rebounding an irresistible delight. With bellicon's arrival in America and the fun aspect of rebounding unleashed, it's no wonder that more and more celebrities have started to hop on the bandwagon. Stars like Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Demi Lovato, Kate Hudson, and the ageless Cindy Crawford have all discovered the benefits of rebounding and made it a part of their workout routine. With such a star-studded endorsement, it's no wonder that rebounding continues to gain momentum and popularity in the world of fitness.
Innovating Fitness: bellicon Home Brings Workouts to Your Living Room
Not only has bellicon been a distributor for the US market, but it has also evolved into a hub of innovation. Our first mission was to create a state-of-the-art rejuvenating fitness machine that was second to none. Realizing the importance of ensuring our customers could unlock the full potential of their versatile bellicon, we aimed to teach them all the possibilities it offers, going beyond just bouncing. With this goal in mind, my brother Felix von Kunhardt joined bellicon USA as the Chief Product Officer, and we assembled a group of software developers, product managers, filmmakers, and, most importantly, talented trainers, including Fayth Caruso as our Master Trainer, helming the bellicon academy in the US. Together, we launched "bellicon Home" in 2015, an online video workout platform designed to help our customers get the most out of their bellicon.
Meet Fayth, the powerhouse behind bellicon Home and your personal fitness inspiration! 🌟💪 - Photo credit: bellicon
Now, with my sister Saskia von Gemmingen leading the Marketing team, we truly became a BroSis operation. This streaming service features trainers from around the globe, offering beautifully filmed classes in both indoor and outdoor settings, catering to different intensity levels. With currently over 60,000 workout sessions per month, bellicon Home ensures that fitness enthusiasts and those who are new to exercise alike (such as the lady my father handed the envelope to, remember?) can benefit from a personalized bellicon workout right in their own homes. By providing a variety of engaging and effective workout options, bellicon Home has made it easier than ever for people to stay fit and healthy with their bellicon.
Brosis Power: United by Bounce, Bound by Family! - Photo credit: Author
Introducing bellicon Studio and bellicon LIVE: Bouncing Together, Near or Far
In 2016, we launched the first-ever "bellicon Studio," a local gym-style facility offering daily workout sessions for people to participate in on-site. It turned out that people loved jumping with a crowd, and the sense of community in these classes was infectious. Recognizing the growing interest in rebounding from boutique studios across the US, we knew firsthand experience was essential.
Numerous studios in the US incorporated bellicon rebounding into their studio concepts. We even collaborated with SoulCycle on Long Island, NY, where Laurie Cole, a founding Senior Master Instructor of SoulCycle, put together one of the best bellicon classes I've ever taken.
However, when Covid hit in 2020, we pivoted from our local studio to virtual training with the launch of "bellicon LIVE." This live-streaming service allowed all bellicon Studio trainers to stream their classes from their homes, maintaining the sense of community and engagement that had made our in-person classes so popular. Our European trainers quickly adapted to this service as well, ensuring that the bellicon community could continue to bounce together, no matter the distance.
Expanding the Reach of bellicon LIVE: Coast to Coast Connections
Get Ready to Bounce LIVE: Your Ultimate Workout Schedule Awaits in Our App! 📅📱💪🎉
Offering bellicon LIVE not only enabled us to maintain the sense of community and engagement that had made our in-person classes so popular, but it also allowed us to expand our network of trainers from coast to coast. We were thrilled to add talented trainers from New York City to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, making our live-streamed classes even more diverse and engaging. This expansion truly connected the bellicon community across the country, giving our members access to a wide range of expertise and workout styles, all from the comfort of their own homes.
A Journey of Gratitude and Impact
Looking back at our journey, I am filled with immense gratitude for all the incredible help and support we've received along the way. My family has been a pillar of strength, always backing me up in this venture. I am also grateful for the amazing team members and partners, such as my friend Tom Shannon, who have been instrumental in the growth and success of bellicon. It was that one fateful day in August 2009 when I went to church and received a divine prompt to jump – to leap across the pond into a new life full of new experiences, great friends, and so much more.
Together, as a united bellicon family, we've been able to positively impact the lives of nearly a million people across 70 countries. It's incredibly humbling and fulfilling to know that we've created a product and service that have made such a profound difference in other people's lives – just as moderate, fun exercise once helped me in the 70s to get back on my feet, learn to walk, to run, and ultimately, learn to jump!
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I am thankful for each and every person who has played a role in it, and I look forward to the bright future of bellicon. I wish the new leadership team of Alexander van't Wout and Eelco Scholtens all the best of success and the same divine spark whenever they need it. They will carry on the mission to spread the joy of jumping and transform lives - one bounce at a time.
[1] Bhattacharya, A., McCutcheon, E. P., Shvartz, E., & Greenleaf, J. E. (1980). Body acceleration distribution and O2 uptake in humans during running and jumping. Journal of Applied Physiology, 49(5), 881–887.