A Very Merry Grand Opening for Monrovia gym
After indulging in too many holiday leftovers, most people are already adding “get in shape” to their list of New Year’s resolutions. For those who want to get fit, a brand new gym in Monrovia, California offers you the chance to get “O-Fit.” Co-owner/Head Trainer Tommy Osuna and Co-owner Steve Larkin, both boxers, recently opened the doors for the public as they hosted their Grand Opening party this past weekend.
I’ve known the guys for a couple of years now, so I went down to their spacious brick-walled building, the O-Fit Custom Fitness Gym, to check out their venue and join the festivities. With a live DJ, prize raffles and several boxing demonstrations, the afternoon provided an opportunity for those in the Southern California area a chance to test out the new gym, take part in fitness competitions and enjoy complimentary refreshments in the airy room, complete with a boxing ring, heavy bags, speed bags, double-end bags, and a separate workout area for jumprope, stretching and abs.
Tommy was a top amateur boxer and Steve currently competes, so this business duo puts their money where their mouths are. They really believe in fitness training and want to encourage others in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. At the very least, a workout improves your health. But at the top echelon of fitness are the skilled boxers and kick boxers that Tommy trains for competition. Coach Osuna, a veteran trainer in the business, reminded the guests lining the ring apron, “With a lot of talent and NO hard work, you can’t achieve much. But with a little bit of talent and A LOT of hard work, you can achieve anything!”
For those who want to train and stay in shape, both beginning and advanced levels can also take part in boxing, kickboxing, Judo, combat training, circuit training and more. O-Fit has a children’s play room available too. Several parents had their children in tow as both mom and dad worked out side by side with their kids. During this special grand opening event, a raffle was also held to benefit the Toys for Tots organization.
Showcasing the sweet science, several sparring exhibitions took place in the ring between some nationally-ranked amateur boxers, including a competitive exchange between female fighters Jessica Treat and Syrien Salvio that had the audience cheering. As Tommy took on the role of referee, the two gals showed off their solid punches and fast combinations. Later, Treat and Osuna also took part in a focus mitts demo with Jessica’s quick hands matching the combos that her trainer called out, as gym mates Monica Lizardo, Sal Trabullo, Laban Spicer and others all lent their vocal support.
And to encourage any of the “couch potatoes” and “lookie loos” who walked into the gym out of 
curiosity, several of Osuna and Larkin’s students, friends and family took part in an onsite fitness competition that would inspire anyone to get fit. The men and women put all their muscle into three rounds of pull-ups, push-ups and planks. Hanging from a bar as they dropped off one by one, doing hundreds push-ups until their faces were beet-red, and holding a plank position until their arms and legs quivered from the intensity, these warriors proved they mean business.
With their abs of steel and strong biceps flexed, all the participants in the competition really were the very best advertisement for getting in peak physical condition! As I shoved another cookie in my mouth, I happily cheered on all the athletes as I silently vowed to head back to the gym soon, very soon…well, after the holidays, of course!
And speaking of the holidays–which are just around the corner–besides the gorgeous fruit baskets and brass commemorative plaques that the owners of O-Fit gym received, they also were treated to a Christmas surprise toward the end of the party.
Osuna and fellow boxing trainer Steve Harpst have been friends for years, traveling to international amateur shows together and working with both amateur and pro fighters together as well. In the quaint Monrovia neighborhood where the gym is located, Harpst happened to glance down the street as he noticed a roving band of singing Christmas carolers. The students from nearby Azusa Pacific University were delighted when Steve asked them to sing a few songs for the crowd, an impromptu surprise.
Eyes wide in appreciation of the live tunes, the children got a kick out of this old-world style performance. As they merry group of singers crooned about “chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” the littlest kids in the gym gathered around the foursome, who were all dressed in festive Victorian costumes.
Now that’s something you don’t see every day–old-fashioned Christmas carolers in a boxing gym! As co-owners Osuna and Larkin posed for a photo with the fancy carolers, flashbulbs went off to capture the shot. Hmmmm, something was missing though. So I asked the holiday singers to put up their dukes for the next photo–and that was the missing ingredient. As they raised their fists and laughed, the quartet fit right in with the boxing crowd–even in their top hats, velvet gowns and wool cloaks! They looked pretty fierce too; if they ever want to set aside their musical dreams, maybe these singing performers could also be future pugilists.
It was a very merry gym grand opening, and tonight the merriment continues. Tommy says their gym is hosting a Chamber of Commerce mixer to get to know those in the neighboring community.
Congratulations again to Tommy Osuna and Steve Larkin on their new gym.
Photos by Michele Chong: Jessica Treat and Syrien Salvio face off in the ring; Tommy Osuna and Steve Larkin with the Christmas carolers; An O-Fit Team Photo; Scenes from the Grand Opening
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