How to Start Bonging

Learning how to use Bongers is a simple process that takes just a few minutes. First realize that you can easily learn to Bong intuitively, and you may even find a different way of bonging that feels better for you. This is just one way of using Bongers, which is designed to let the tool to do all the work for you!

German Grip

This grip is borrowed from the “German-style” of playing drums and percussion. The Bongers themselves encourage proper technique for drumming by rebounding immediately after impact, making Bongers a great pedagogical tool. To start bonging using this grip:

1. Place your thumb on the edge of the wooden collar. Your thumb should be vertical and perpendicular to the metal shaft. (See pictures below)

2. Wrap your first finger around the other side of the wooden collar. The crease of your first joint of your first finger should be aligned with the metal shaft and the center of your thumb. (Imagine there were no wooden collar so the metal shaft would rest inside of the crease of the first joint.

3. Now wrap the remaining 3 fingers loosely below the indented shoulder. The middle finger will rest on the indented shoulder, while the pinky approximately lines up on the two carved lines near the bottom.

4. At this point the metal shaft should be parallel with the natural line your forearm and hand makes. This should let you think of the Bonger™ as an extension of your own arm.

5. Lastly, using your wrist bring the Bonger up in the air to a “starting position.” Then in one smooth motion bring the Bonger down and back up, allowing for the natural bounce and recoil to bring the Bonger back to the starting position. This way the more energy you put into the stroke, the more it will recoil in order to pull the pain out of the person instead of digging in.

French Grip

-Depending on where you are trying to bong, it may be more comfortable to use this technique instead of the “German grip”. The “French grip” also allows for more natural recoil, which results in a slightly lighter, surface based massage.

-To get in this grip, start off with the “German grip” as described above. Then rotate your hand, or turn the bongers, 90 degrees so your thumb is parallel with the wider portion of the metal shaft.

-If bonging using this method seems too “floppy”, you can move your thumb up onto the metal shaft to dampen some of the recoil.

-By using this grip you can also incorporate your fingers and use more of a flicking motion. To do this, simply use a light squeezing motion from your middle, ring, and pinky fingers moving towards the palm of your hand. You can practice this with each of these 3 fingers separately or in sequence for increased bonging stamina.

-When bonging your own neck and back, try using the “reverse french grip” by bonging toward your thumb.

'I have been suffering debilitating tension/migraine headaches on and off for years, but for the last month it has been almost a daily struggle. I finally remembered the pair of Bongers in the back of the dresser drawer and pulled them out to try on the locked-up muscles of my right upper back, shoulder and neck. The immediate relief was amazing! I’ve been on some pretty strong medications that made me groggy, gave me dry mouth, were constipating and outright hazardous to my internal organs, and here I had a drug-free solution laying right there in the drawer! And my fiance thinks it’s fun, so that’s a win-win!'

Lori, Portland, OR