9th March 2026
Athletes in the Open Bionics community train for the Paralympics, compete in karate, attempt Guinness World Records, and ride BMX. What connects them is the Hero Arm Ecosystem, built around the Hero Flex socket, which connects directly with both the Hero PRO and Hero RGD bionic hands and a range of sport-specific activity attachments.
That combination of socket, hand, and interchangeable attachments means one arm can serve a triathlete’s training week, a teenager’s karate practice, and a farmer’s full working day. For athletes with upper limb differences, it removes one of the most persistent friction points in adaptive sport: needing to carry multiple prostheses to stay active across different disciplines.
Modern prosthetics for athletes are designed to support:
Torie Mugo was a marathon runner before contracting the flu, which progressed into severe septic shock and multiple organ failure. Life support saved her life but resulted in quadruple limb loss — both hands amputated at the wrist and both feet below the knee. She trained herself to walk with her first leg sockets before her physical therapy had even begun.
Today, Torie is training toward the LA 2028 Paralympic Games. She received funding for two Hero Flex activity arms through a CAF Adaptive Sports Equipment Grant and uses them across her full triathlon training load — alternating between running, biking, and swimming throughout the week. She has already completed 47 miles in a single week on the bike alone.
Torie’s story reflects what the Hero Flex system was built for: a socket and attachment platform that can move between disciplines without requiring the athlete to stop, change devices, or compromise on performance in any of them.
John Francis was born without part of his right arm and hand in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As he grew older, everyday tasks including dressing, going to school, and participating in karate became more difficult. He researched prosthetic options independently and identified the Hero PRO as the device he wanted.
Insurance would not cover the cost. His family launched a GoFundMe campaign and their community raised nearly $30,000 in four and a half days. John now uses his Hero PRO to accomplish more on the karate mat, ride a bike around his neighborhood, and make meals independently.
“This has been a complete game changer and I’m not sure what my life would be like if I hadn’t gotten it,” John said. His mother Monica noted the change in how he carries himself. “He used to stand always holding his nub and his head kind of down and now you never see him like that anymore,” she said.
John has plans to study medical engineering and work on prosthetic technology. His story is also covered in the blog on prosthetic insurance coverage, where his case illustrates the gap between clinical need and insurer classification.
John Whitman, a former blacksmith who lost his arm below the elbow after a workplace accident, bench-pressed 6,000kg in one hour wearing a Hero Flex activity arm, nearly tripling the previous record of 2,100kg. The result has been submitted for official Guinness World Records verification.
“It was a game changer,” John said. “Getting outdoors and the gym really felt like gaining a bit of old me back.”
Jason uses the Hero RGD for a working life that moves between a farm, a construction site, and the trails where he rides BMX. He compared it directly to the prosthetics he had used previously, describing it as lighter, more durable, and waterproof in a way that changed how freely he could move between activities.
The Hero RGD’s fully waterproof enclosure and titanium reinforcement make it the device of choice for users whose sport and work lives involve physical stress, weather exposure, and sustained load. With a carrying capacity of up to 77 pounds, it is built for the environments where other devices require caution or removal.
What makes the athletic use cases above possible is the Hero Flex socket. Rather than a fixed device for a single purpose, Hero Flex is a 3D-printed breathable socket platform that connects to both the Hero PRO and Hero RGD bionic hands, as well as a range of activity attachments designed for specific sports and tasks.
The USMC-standard wrist connector allows users to switch between a bionic hand and a sport attachment in seconds. A triathlete can move from cycling to running to daily use without changing arms. A martial artist can switch from training to the kitchen without adjusting their setup. The system is designed around the reality that athletes do not live in a single discipline.
Athletic performance depends on fast, precise reactions. The Hero PRO and Hero RGD are two times faster than leading bionic hands on the market. The wireless MyoPod electrode system detects muscle signals with low latency and translates them into grip patterns without the disruption associated with wired electrode systems. For athletes, that responsiveness means less hesitation between intention and action across every discipline.
Both devices are fully wireless and waterproof — the only bionic arms in the world with that combination — allowing athletes to train in rain, sweat-intensive environments, and water sports without removing or protecting the device.
Open Bionics has fitted more than 1,000 users with bionic arms and operates specialist upper limb clinics across the United States. Every device is custom-fabricated to the individual’s residual limb, and the fitting process incorporates activity and sport goals from the first consultation. Where sport is a priority, clinicians help configure the Hero Flex socket, select the right terminal device, and advise on activity attachments suited to the user’s specific disciplines.
Can athletes compete with prosthetic arms?
Yes. Open Bionics users compete in adaptive sports ranging from triathlon and karate to BMX and strength events. The Hero Flex socket combined with the Hero PRO or Hero RGD and sport-specific activity attachments supports performance at recreational, national, and international levels, including Paralympic-level competition.
What prosthetic arm is best for sports?
The Hero Flex socket is the foundation of athletic use at Open Bionics. It connects to both the Hero PRO and Hero RGD bionic hands, as well as a range of activity attachments. The right configuration depends on the athlete’s sport, residual limb, and activity goals. A certified prosthetist can advise on the best setup for your specific disciplines.
Can you lift weights with a prosthetic arm?
Yes. The Hero RGD is designed to carry up to 77 pounds and features impact-resistant components built for repetitive loading. John Whitman bench-pressed 6,000kg in one hour using a Hero Flex activity arm, with the result submitted for Guinness World Records verification. Activity attachments can be configured for specific gym exercises.
Are bionic prosthetic arms waterproof?
The Hero PRO and Hero RGD are fully waterproof, allowing athletes to train in rain, high-sweat environments, and water-based sports. They are the only fully wireless and waterproof bionic arms currently available anywhere in the world.
Can prosthetic arms be used for multiple sports?
Yes. The Hero Flex socket uses a USMC-standard wrist connector that allows users to switch between a bionic hand and sport-specific attachments in seconds. Torie Mugo uses her Hero Flex arms across running, cycling, and swimming as part of her Paralympic triathlon training, moving between disciplines without changing devices.
Can I use a prosthetic arm for rock climbing?
Rock climbing places specific grip and load demands on a prosthetic device. Luke, known as Bionic Luke, is an Open Bionics user who took up rock climbing as part of his goal to match able-bodied performance in physically demanding sports. An Open Bionics clinician can advise on socket configuration and activity attachment options suited to climbing based on your residual limb and climbing goals.
Can I swim with a bionic arm?
Hero RGD is fully waterproof and can be worn in water. For competitive or training swimming, activity attachments are available to support specific stroke mechanics. An Open Bionics clinician can advise on the right configuration for your discipline.
How fast does a bionic prosthetic hand open and close?
The Hero PRO and Hero RGD open and close twice as fast as leading bionic hands on the market. That speed is driven by the wireless MyoPod electrode system, which detects muscle signals with low latency and translates them into grip patterns with minimal hesitation between intention and action.
Can children use prosthetic arms for sport?
Yes. The Hero Arm is available for children as young as five. Open Bionics users including Kiowa, an 11-year-old who wears the Hero Flex with activity attachments, uses his devices for biking, taekwondo, archery, and other physical activities. The fitting process for pediatric users considers sport and activity goals from the first consultation.
You do not have to navigate the insurance process alone. To find out whether a Hero Arm, Hero PRO, or Hero RGD may be covered under your plan, book a free consultation with your nearest Open Bionics clinic. The team will walk you through eligibility, documentation, and next steps.
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