Time Line
Here is a timeline of events from the creation of the BOSU Balance Trainer to the present.
May 1998
David Weck tweaks his lower back during a motorcycle “mishap”. Three days later during a personal training session with one of his clients, DW’s lower back seizes and he collapses in agony.
Remainder 1998 thru May 1999
Back pain is chronic and debilitating. During this time, DW cannot sit through dinner, go to a movie, or perform any function without pain (often severe) in his lower back. He consults several medical professionals and engages in physical therapy to no avail.
May 1999
Medical insurance runs out for physical therapy and DW begins exercising with a stability ball on his own. He begins to find relief from back pain for the first time in nearly a year. Shortly thereafter, DW begins standing atop the ball (barefoot) and notices a dramatic improvement in his relief from back pain. Dull pain in his feet (plantar fasciitis) that had been gradually increasing for 5 years also begins to “disappear” as a result of standing atop the ball.
June 1999
As DW attempts to progress the challenges while standing atop the ball, he falls several times. He is fortunate not to cause serious injury.
June 25, 1999
DW takes his final fall off the ball (an especially nasty fall that nearly causes serious damage) while watching the New York Knicks lose in the NBA playoffs in his 200 sq. foot Manhattan apartment. Later that night while lying in bed pondering his dilemma of how to continue progressively challenging his balance atop the ball’s surface without breaking his neck, DW conceives of the concept for the BOSU Balance Trainer.
June 26, 1999
DW cancels his weekend plans and boards a train for his parents home in New Jersey to build the first prototype of the BOSU Balance Trainer. He cuts one of his stability balls in half and attaches it to a wooden platform with staples and “gobs of glue”. Later that night, DW heads back to Manhattan with his invention (concealed in large plastic trash bags) and waits for the glue to dry.
June 27, 1999
DW inflates the first Prototype and discovers minute leaks in the wooden platform that require more glue and another day of drying time.
June 28, 1999
The Prototype holds air and DW begins training with his new invention.
July 1999 – Oct. 4, 1999
DW applies for patent protection. DW trains regularly with his new invention and finds complete relief from his lower back pain. The pain in his feet completely disappears as well. Keeping his invention tightly under wraps from public disclosure, DW secretly tests the efficacy of his invention with his private in-home clients (who range in age from 9 to 70, including one client with Multiple Sclerosis). The device is a hit with every single person regardless of age or ability.
Oct. 4, 1999
With “patent pending” status in place, DW begins his campaign to share his invention with the world.
Oct. 14, 1999
DW travels to Park City, UT to demonstrate the BOSU Balance Trainer to the US Ski Team. They immediately purchase the two units DW has brought with him (the “second” and “third” prototypes ever built). The Ski Team requests a dozen more units and DW heads home to build more. The BOSU Balance Trainer soon becomes an Official Supplier to the US Ski Team and is so to this day.
Remainder 1999 – into 2000
DW begins selling prototypes of his device beginning with sales to the New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Rams, and Los Angeles Lakers. These organizations were the respective champions in their Leagues at that time. Word of mouth begins to spread and DW receives orders from other professional sports teams, elite trainers, and Olympic organizations from around the globe. Prototypes are hand-made and take many hours to build. DW builds hundreds of hand-made units to service the demand while beginning to source manufacturing for the device as it is made today.
May 2000
After selling his device to the New York Knicks, DW and his father/business partner Tom travel to San Diego, CA to meet with and introduce the device to Dean Brittenham (father of Greg Brittenham – Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Knicks). Dean Brittenham’s training philosophy (which emphasizes ambidexterity and using both sides of the brain) has a profound impact on DW. On this trip, DW also meets his future wife Jen and one of his closest friends and training partners Steve Cotter.
August 2000
Jen, Steve and DW introduce the BOSU Balance Trainer to the professional fitness community at the IDEA World convention in Anaheim California. From a 10’ x 10’ booth, DW’s “half-ball” prototype is the talk of the show.
Remainder 2000
DW continues marketing his device, selling prototypes, sourcing manufacturing and all other aspects of launching his invention. He works around the clock and non-stop.
January 2001
DW (with Jen, Steve, and Tom) attend “The Super Show” in Las Vegas. With partially “factory built” prototypes, The BOSU Balance Trainer is the “buzz” of the show. Here DW meets with Fitness Quest, Inc. and the two begin discussing a business relationship.
Late 2001 - 2002
The first factory built BOSU Balance Trainers hit the market. The marketing effort remains “grass-roots” with little/no advertising. The focus is introducing the BOSU Balance Trainer to fitness professionals. Douglas and Candice Brooks are brought on board to help develop and deliver education to the professional fitness community.
2002 – 2007
The BOSU Balance Trainer becomes recognized as one of the most innovative fitness products ever created and its usage grows steadily all over the world.
2003 – 2007
DW devotes these years to the study and creation of BOSU (Both Sides Utilized) Training. He invents several additional products as well, including the BOSU Ballast Ball and Quick Hands Bola Trainer.
April 2006
Inspired by the Biblical figure David, DW discovers an alternative approach to "jumping" rope and instead focuses on "throwing" rope. He begins to develop a training protocol to promote balance and symmetry throughout his body beginning with his hands. This innovation begins to “tie” his new system of Both Sides Utilized Training together.
Mid 2006 – 2007
DW continues to develop his method of Both Sides Utilized Training and in the Spring of 2007 begins to incorporates Both Sides Utilized Training techniques with the staff.
Late 2007
8 years after creating the BOSU Balance Trainer, David Weck codifies the essence of his Both Sides Utilized Method of training and begins introducing "Both Sides Utilized" training to the world.