Round 1
A guy walks into a gym.
Edwin “Eddie” Rivera had no intention of getting into the boxing bag game when he joined Bill Ryder’s Huntington-based gym. He was just a New York Wall Street guy looking to blow off the stress of the day and stay in shape. Neither of them could have predicted what the future had in store.
The two became more than just gym acquaintances. From the start, they had a connection. And Eddie believed in Bill and his gym’s boxing programs. Which is why it wasn’t a difficult decision for him to step up when the gym’s financial struggles put it at risk of closing. They worked out a plan to keep the gym alive, and seemingly overnight their friendship turned into a business partnership that was about to change both of their lives.
Round 2
The problem with sand.
Three weeks into their new business venture, the duo realized they had made one big mistake. Sand-filled heavy bags. As members began to see injuries from throwing punches, and hitting the “hard spots” often found in these bags — the duo started searching desperately for a low-impact heavy bag that could absorb their members’ kinetic energy, bags that weren’t designed with the painful hard spot that was causing injury to so many.
Round 2
The problem with sand.
Three weeks into their new business venture, the duo realized they had made one big mistake. Sand-filled heavy bags. As members began to see injuries from throwing punches, and hitting the “hard spots” often found in these bags — the duo started searching desperately for a low-impact heavy bag that could absorb their members’ kinetic energy, bags that weren’t designed with the painful hard spot that was causing injury to so many.
Round 3
Out with the old, in with the water.
Knowing they needed a bag that was durable, sustainable, and safer for people to hit — there was only one bag-filler that was going to give them everything... water. The team started to experiment with various shapes, sizes, and materials while developing their AquaBag to see what would be most effective. Trial after trial seemed to lead to nowhere.
But it turns out the answer was always "floating" a lot closer to them than they ever knew.
Once the team realized they could reimagine, re-engineer, and reinforce a buoy with enough strength and durability to take a beating by just about anything, including some of their toughest gym members, they never looked back. In fact, it became one of the most sought-after training bags at their gym.
And just like that, the first Aqua Punching Bag was born.
Round 4
The bag with respect.
In no time, people were giving high remarks to the bag’s durability, style, and ability to absorb strikes. MMA fighters and boxers alike said they were able to train longer and harder, and pro-fighters finally felt comfortable hitting at 100% without worrying about the painful hard spots. And most of all, everybody loved that the creators were two guys from a legitimate boxing gym who knew their way around the sport and the industry.
Round 5
H2O with the KO.
Today, gym owners, MMA fighters, boxers, and fitness enthusiasts, rely on the Aqua Training Bag® as the ideal boxing training tool. But this story doesn’t stop there.
The team at Aqua Training Bag set out to create the first "smart" heavy bag on the market. And they did just that.
With the introduction of the Aqua Training Bag Sensor, users not only get in a workout, but now they can track things like, punch force, punch frequency, punch count, calories burned, and hardest hits, all from their phone. Game-changer.
And as the Aqua Training Bag and Sensor continue to succeed around the world, there’s no doubt that Eddie and Bill will continue their pursuit to delivering unrivaled products and experiences for their customers in the boxing and fitness industries.
Not too bad for two guys who just happened to meet at a gym.
Aqua Training Bag® is a LippertTM brand.
Lippert is a leading, global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered products and customized solutions dedicated to shaping, growing, and bettering the RV, marine, automotive, commercial vehicle, and building products industries, and their adjacent markets.
Lippert also serves a broad array of aftermarket segments, supplying best-in-class products designed to enhance recreational pursuits, both on the road and on the water. From powerful towing technology and automated RV leveling systems, to boating furniture and one-of-a-kind shade solutions — Lippert combines strategic manufacturing capabilities with the power of our winning team culture to deliver unrivaled Customer Service, award-winning Innovation, and premium Products to every industry and person we serve.
Shop Lippert ProductsLippert is a Complete House of Brands
Industries Lippert Serves
RV
We are the leading supplier of RV, travel trailer and camper components, offering OEM and aftermarket product lines.
Marine
Right here on American soil, we manufacture a complete line of top-tier boating products in polyform, glass and metal.
Towing
We are the leading manufacturer of USA-made custom-fit hitches, and supplier of a complete line of towing products.
Truck Accessories
We manufacture and supply a full line of functional, stylish accessories for pickup trucks, SUVs, CUVs and Jeeps.
Utility Trailer
We are a leading supplier of spring and torsion axles, offering an array of products for cargo, horse and other utility trailers.