Health & Fitness Reviews
Next generation groin protection
We can often forget that the most important thing in our lives is what swings between our legs and as a result, few take sufficient precautions against that most feared of scenarios – a belt in the junk.
By Robert Carry
Happily, Irish company Bing Bongs has brought a product to market which gives those under risk of a smack in the swingers sufficient protection in a practical, comfortable manner.
In simple terms, Bing Bongs are a pair of boxers fitted with a pouch, into which slips an anatomically-shaped groin guard.
The boxers are 92 per cent cotton and 8 per cent spandex which makes them both flexible and comfortable. Heavy stitching gives durability while the panels are designed in a way which keeps the cup exactly where it needs to be.
The cup itself is light-weight and made from a hard plastic beaded with pliable rubber on the outer edge. It’s tough enough to take a heavy impact while the rubber rim prevents the cup from digging in around the edges.
Bing Bongs are designed for use by sportspersons, security, gardaÃ, people in the Defence Forces and men with girlfriends who shoot for the sweet spot when they’re in a bad mood.
Assets
JOE.ie decided to road-test Bing Bongs to see if they’re up to the job of protecting our most valued assets, but not by simply starting an argument with a menstruating girlfriend. Nope, we went one better – by popping along to a Thaiboxing class.
The first thing into a Thaiboxer’s gym bag is always a protective cup of some description – when kicks and knees start flying this is simply an essential piece of kit.
One convenient thing about Bing Bongs is that you can stick the boxers on in the morning and just slip the cup itself into your bag. When been worn around, in terms of comfort, they are pretty much indistinguishable from any other pair of snug-fitting boxers.
When it’s time to do battle in class, you just slot the protector into place. After a full two hours of kicking, punching, stretching, grappling and various other unspeakables, the guard remained firmly in place and didn’t become uncomfortable at any stage.
Although I stopped short of standing with my legs apart and demanding that other members of the class kick me squarely in the nuts, I was clipped a couple of times in sparring and didn’t come off any the worse. The protection they provide is just as solid as a jock-strap style groin guard.
Comfort
If they can withstand the demands of a Thaiboxing class, both in terms of protection and comfort, then they are probably up to the job of keeping you snug and safe doing pretty much anything.
One minor issue is with the fact that while a jock-strap style groin guard can be slung into a gym back and worn a few times without needing to be washed, you’re going to want to wash your Bing Bongs after each wear.
However, you can buy a couple of pairs of the boxers and re-use the guard so there is no great expense or hassle involved.
Bing Bongs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and pairs made without the guard pouch are also available.
Another big strike in their favour is that you can order them online and the size and shape of the packaging means they will slot through your letterbox – so no need to take a day off work to sit looking mournfully out your window in the hope that the postman might come into view.
You can pick yourself up a pair of Bing Bongs with groin guard for a very reasonable €19.99 including postage and packaging. They also run a number of special offer deals on combo and multiple purchases so check out their website for more information.
This is a new distinct design and has not been done before. I’ve carried out a comprehensive study of the market place and found no product taking this approach. Some have produced similar designs but have failed for the very reasons you have also pointed out.
Our groin guard is stream lined, low profile and designed specifically not to make contact with the inside of the leg. The material used is a shatter proof blend of plastics and the edging is made up of a flexible rubber which also helps to reducing movement when worn. Many of the deformed rubber groin guards on the market soften over time and during training due to heat resulting in poor protection.
When grappling the product is unique as this is what I designed it for based on my experience. Please take the time to have another look and you will see this is a new innovative design.
The feedback I have received from a number of MMA people is excellent as too is the feedback from people taking part in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, and as you read in the articleThaiboxing. Other positive feedback I have received is from a number I professional Irish rugby players who have tested Bing bongs, none of which raised the concerns you mentioned.
My background is also in Kickboxing, Krav Maga and I dabble in a bit of Gracie Jiu Jitsu from time to time. I also played GAA, rugby and football and please believe me when I say this “if the product didn’t work I wouldn’t sell itâ€. Bing Bongs is in my view the best product to protect “yourself†currently available in the world.
Regards, Paul