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Hardy Hearts

Getting Started

Prior to participating in the Hardy Hearts program, participants require clearance from their family physician or specialist. Stress tests are recommended for patients to complete prior to beginning the program, but may be completed after starting the program.

About the Program

Hardy Hearts is a community-based cardiac activity/rehabilitation program held at the Grand River Hospital Auditorium. Participants within the program are prescribed exercise training programs or activities. Membership within the Hardy Hearts program ranges from 30 to 80, and some members have attended this program in excess of fifteen years!

The program is supervised by University of Waterloo staff and students. Hardy Hearts staff assist with exercise equipment and lead activity sessions. Heart rate and blood pressure checks are available. Heart rate monitors (Polar) are encouraged to be worn by participants throughout the sessions. Nursing staff and resuscitation equipment (medications and defibrillators) are on site for medical issues. There have been no fatalities in this program.

The Hardy Hearts Program consists of 1-hour exercise sessions twice a week. The session itself consists of a resting blood pressure check-up, a 10-minute group warm-up, 35 minutes of weights/cardio, aerobics, and/or games (e.g. hockey, badminton), and is followed by a 10-minute group cool-down and stretch.

Below is a listing of available Hardy Heart class times:

Monday and Thursday

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday and Thursday

7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

If you are interested in starting the Hardy Hearts program, please contact us by email at hhearts@uwaterloo.ca or by phone at 519-497-7049. You can also check out the Hardy Hearts Brochure for more information.

Where to Find Us!

Grand River Hospital Auditorium
40 Green St., Kitchener (corner of Green St. and Park St.)
2nd Floor (basement)

Access to the auditorium is off of Green St. Parking is available at Grand River Hospital and adjacent street parking.