TORONTO MMA GYM | Grant Brothers Boxing & MMA: 416-736-7770 | MMA Gym Toronto, GTA, Ontario

Grant Brothers MMA Profile – Mark Strong

redstar — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:10:19 +0000

We wanted to profile the super dedicated Mark Strong and his results after six months of training at Grant Brothers MMA Gym.

Mark holds many titles and jobs in the entertainment/sports industry..working long days and hectic hours. So we realized – if Mark Strong can get into shape, anyone can. Be inspired.

NAME: Mark Strong

JOB: G98.7FM Morning Show, Raptors In-House Host, Argos In-House Host,Voice of the Junos,Voice of the Canada Walk of Fame. Father and husband.

BEST COMPLIMENT RECEIVED: “You look great!”

WEIGHT LOSS: Mark does not believe in knowing the numbers on a scale, however it is obvious by his photographs that his dedication has paid off.

TIME FRAME: Six months.

FITNESS ROUTINE: One hour of MMA training at Grant Brothers MMA, five days a week.

DIET: Grant Brother MMA owner Ryan Grant changes Mark’s diet on a regular basis – currently he is allowed one hard carbohydrate a day (IE. rice or bread).

FAV HEALTHY SNACK: Flavored tuna – high protein, no carbs!

FITNESS GOALS: To maintain weight loss, then add definition and muscle.

INSPIRATION: “Tired is only in your mind” – Ryan Grant

TIPS: “It took me a year before I actually came to Grant Brothers. I suggest you go the gym and see the workout twice before actually trying. Then try the class twice before making a decision – you’ll be addicted.”

Practical Sports Nutrition Strategies for Young Athletes

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:37:47 +0000

If you’re one of our youth training at Grant Brothers MMA Gym, there are practical sports nutrition strategies that can help you to successfully implement the basic principles of sports nutrition. As per Power Bar’s nutritionist, here are some excellent tips:

Start exercise fully hydrated

Bring a water bottle to school and take frequent sips throughout the day
Consume 14–20 ounces (400–600 ml) of water or sports drink 2–4 hours before you train or compete
Keep hydrating as needed during warm-ups by drinking another 8 oz (240 ml) of fluid, especially if conditions are hot or humid
Check your urine color before exercise to monitor your hydration status. A light-yellow color is consistent with adequate hydration. A darker color, like the color of apple juice, is typically a sign that more fluids are needed before you start training or competing

Start exercise fully fueled

When possible, consume a meal 2–4 hours before training or competing. Choose familiar high-carb foods and beverages, and include a moderate amount of lean protein as well. Avoid slow-to-digest, fatty foods during the pre-exercise meal. Take a look at the table below for examples of pre-exercise meals
Have an easy-to-digest carbohydrate snack if you’re hungry in the hour before exercise. See the table below for snack ideas
If you have an early-morning practice or competition, consume your pre-exercise meal the evening before and have a carbohydrate snack on your way out the door in the morning
If your stomach is in a knot before a competition, try a liquid carbohydrate source (e.g., fruit smoothie or a meal-replacement drink) in place of solid foods
Trial your pre-exercise meals before practices so that you know you will be comfortable with these foods on competition days

Rehydrate and refuel as needed during exercise

Plain water is generally fine for exercise lasting less than 1 hour in moderate weather conditions
Consume a sports drink instead of plain water if you’re exercising vigorously for an hour or more, or any time you’re exercising in hot or humid conditions:
- The flavor, sodium, and carbohydrates in a sports drink can help to optimize fluid intake and retention during exercise
- While high school sports generally don’t fully deplete carbohydrate muscle fuel reserves in a single training session or competition, the carbohydrates in a sports drink can help to sustain blood glucose levels during longer exercise sessions
Consume fluids at a rate that closely matches your sweat rate during exercise. This generally requires something on the order of 13–26 fl oz (400–800 ml) every hour of exercise, preferably in smaller amounts taken frequently, such as 3–7 fl oz (100–200 ml) every 15 minutes or so
Drink from your own sport bottle so you can track your fluid intake
To refuel, to ward off hunger, and to rehydrate between events during meets or between matches or games during tournaments, consume familiar, easy-to-digest carbohydrate snacks along with water or a sports drink. See the table below for snack ideas
Trial your rehydration and refueling strategies during practices before implementing them during competitions

Promote full recovery after exercise

After a long training session or an extended competition, consume 0.5 grams of carbohydrates per lb (1.1 grams per kg) body weight within 30 minutes of finishing exercise
- Repeat this again within 2 hours or transition to high-carbohydrate snacks and meals
- For a 150-lb (68-kg) athlete, this equates to about 75 grams of carbohydrates immediately after playing, and then again 2 hours later
- Consume some protein as soon as possible after exercise
- After a long practice, a strength-training workout, or an extended competition, consume 15–25 grams of protein as soon as possible after exercise
See the table below for ideas on what you can eat and drink after exercise to promote rapid recovery
Weigh yourself before and after exercise to gauge your net loss of fluids. To replace this fluid, gradually drink 16–24 fl oz (475–700 ml) of sports drink, recovery beverage, or water for every 1 lb of weight lost. Consume sodium sources along with your fluids for more effective rehydration
- If your loss of fluids consistently exceeds 2% of your body weight, try to increase your fluid intake during subsequent training sessions or competitions to avoid dehydration

Kids listen to MMA stars

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:08:17 +0000

They are unlikely allies, but Doug Ford, Mixed Martial Arts fighters and Lady Gaga all share the same concern — bullying.

Coun. Ford supported an initiative in Toronto this week in which MMA stars here for an Ultimate Fighting Championship event visited with school kids to help promote the anti-bullying message.

This concept was dismissed by Ford’s political opponents, who likened it to inviting tobacco company executives to discuss the perils of smoking.

Talk about a lame analogy.

Tobacco companies manufacture cigarettes. MMA fighters didn’t invent bullying.

I asked registered psychologist Dr. Oren Amitay whether having the fight stars talk with kids about the problem of bullying was a good idea.

“Yes, since more and more people look up to them,” he said. “I’ve followed MMA for many years and have heard many trainers and athletes speak about gaining respect for themselves, their art, and for others.”

Amitay said seeing the fighters in person is a great benefit to young people.

“Seeing tattooed, scary-looking guys come in and talk about being respectful can be a means of combating bullying.”

Earlier this week, the Toronto Sun’s Chris Doucette wrote about the 500 kids who gathered at Rogers Centre to hear the stars of MMA discuss the issue of bullying and share their experiences.

One of the organizing police officers talked about the positive effect the event had on a young attendee and referred to the experience as a home run.

Pop star Lady Gaga has formed an anti-bullying organization called Born This Way Foundation and recently appeared in an anti-bullying video produced by the students at the Etobicoke School of The Arts.

So, is bullying a growing problem or one that’s being reported more often and now being dealt with on a more serious level?

“A little bit of both, but the severity is definitely increasing,” says Amitay.

He sees part of the new concerns stemming from technology.

“Kids have more ways of bullying, such as the Internet, and they can do so more anonymously, yet effectively, and in groups,” he said.

Amitay believes the anonymity provided by the Internet, plus a mob mentality that can take over individuals, are two of the biggest concerns.

“Research shows when someone is not accountable they are more likely to do horrible things,” he said, noting today bullies can dehumanize their victims by bullying them online.

Bullying victim

Some years ago, the young son of some very close friends fell victim to a bully in grade school.

It got to the point where he refused to go to school and yet was hesitant to explain why.

His mother figured out he was being bullied by a boy in his class known for being disruptive.

The teacher, in effect, defended the bully, saying he suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder.

There’s a keener awareness today about bullying in our schools.

But as Amitay points out, both adults and kids need to learn about consequences and that begins at home.

Finally, as is the case with all issues involving kids, mentoring can play a big role.

Even if it comes from tattooed, scary-looking guys.

— Woloshyn hosts “Saturday with Ted” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Newstalk 1010