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As a young aspiring dancer Olga
Heron dreamed of performing on stage or opening her
own studio. In her teens she was influenced by many
dance styles, modern, dance, ballet, hip-hop and
jazz. The realization that she was lacking the
genetics to pursue a professional dance career and the
development of shin splints and tendonitis lead her to
stop dancing but ultimately changed the direction of
her life.
To rehabilitate her
legs, Olga began to work out at Heron Ultimate
Fitness, a club managed by her older sister Teresa and
co-managed by Andrew Heron. A month after she began
training there she began taking boxing and kick boxing
classes. Soon she was working at the gym answering
phones and teaching classes. Meeting and training
with Andrew Heron who was a former amateur champion
led Olga to consider boxing, a sport that was in
complete contrast to dance. Spending a couple of
years training with Heron’s guidance, Olga developed
more than a desire to get in the ring to compete.
Sparring with Heron also led to some other sparks, and
the husband and wife team joined forces to open their
own club, HUF Executive Fitness in January 2001, in
Mississauga, ON.
It’s all in the family at HUF Executive Fitness Olga’s
sister Teresa Rego and her husband Jeremy Rego are
partners in the family run business that was launched
in an old grocery store that had sat vacant for
a number of years. Their unique boxing style fitness
has the allure and atmosphere of the traditional
boxing gym. It’s backed up by state-of-the-art
exercise equipment and a friendly neighborhood
atmosphere where everybody knows your name. |
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Heron has
one simple philosophy. Be truthful and treat people
the way you would expect to be treated. Boxing is a
rough business and there is a fear factor when you
enter the ring. But everybody can be courageous when
you surround yourself by the right people.
When you head
downstairs to the former basement of the old grocery
store, you are entering what has been fondly called
“Zee Jungle”, by club patrons. Of no use to the
landlord, the space was utilized for boxing style
classes. Heavy bags hang from the ceiling, speed bags
on the wall, along with a big screen television,
air-hockey and foosball tables.
The Heron’s and
Rego’s try to keep in good health, keep their
marriages strong and look to see their members improve
in self-esteem, attitude, energy level and, most of
all in having fun. Focusing on results is very
important to HUF Executive Fitness, as well as giving
back to the community with kids’ programs and
participation in various community and non-profit
events.
KEEP FIT AND ALWAYS HAVE FUN
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;)
