Our Dojo’s History

Heritage Martial Arts & Fitness Centre
(article as seen in Fitness Business Canada – May 2008)

When James Fries finished college, he knew he didn’t want to give up his years of karate training for an ordinary day job! In 1997, with lots of hard work and determination, he opened Heritage Martial Arts in Kitchener Ontario. As word got out that a local St. Agatha farm boy was running a karate club, the membership numbers started to climb.
Trouble Flows In
But just as everyone began to believe that the club would be a success, the unthinkable happened – a flood. Water soaked the entire club from the ceiling, through the walls and into the floors. The entire dojo was destroyed. It was hard not to feel discouraged, but no time was wasted in getting the club back up and running. Family, friends and members all chipped in and the club reopened just four weeks later.
Teamwork Resurrects And Upgrades The Facility
Each year since that flood, a special project has been undertaken to improve the facility; walls have been torn down, a fully-equipped gym facility has been built, floor mats have been installed in both training areas, and the exterior of the building has been cleaned and painted.
Community Events
James and his staff often go out into the community to promote the club by running classes at the local brain injury association and in local schools. The dojo runs an annual fundraiser for a local charity; last year it was for a sick child from the neighbourhood. It has maintained good communication with members by distributing a monthly newsletter, educational handouts and birthday cards and by installing a rotating LCD screen in the lobby that displays upcoming events and news.
What Makes Us Different?
The dojo has expanded its revenue streams by offering advertising space to local companies on the LCD screen and in the newsletters.
The facility is certified as a CDT Personal Safety Centre (the only one in Ontario). Through this certification, the club teaches courses ranging from personal protection and safety for adults to full compliance and escorting courses for security and police personnel. The dojo also runs child safety and teen safety courses that teach participants how to avoid harmful situations. The courses are offered at Heritage as well as in the community to group like the Girl Guides and local businesses.
Its Kid Fit Cardio™ program has been launched as a full-scale licensee program. Designed by James, the program increases kid’s activity levels and helps to choose healthy foods. Currently James and his team are offering licenses throughout North America to gyms, fitness facilities, dojos and personal trainers who run the program from their own exclusive territories.
From humble beginnings in a rough part of town, Heritage Martial Arts & Fitness Centre has overcome adversity to succeed in the martial arts and fitness industries. Don’t ever let anyone tell you it can’t be done!!