Charm City residents looking to tone up for beach season have a number of options. They can hit the treadmill, take up yoga or start dancing off the pounds with Zumba.
But there’s another, more extreme way to get in shape that’s gaining popularity in Baltimore: training with cage fighters.
At Ground Control Academy in Canton, where some of the area’s top mixed martial arts fighters train, owners are seeing an increasing number of members who never plan to step foot in a cage, but value what the intense MMA workouts can do for their bodies.
“90 percent of our students aren’t going to compete, they’re here to work out,” said Nick Ehrlich, strength and conditioning coach at Ground Control.
The demand has been rising so much, Ground Control owner and amateur fighter Rob Mulqueen plans to open new classes to accommodate the more casual students from the gym’s exercise classes.
“Our next step is a ‘Beginner’s MMA’ class.” Mulqueen said. “It won’t have the same requirements as a fight team practice, but it will give our ‘up-and-comers’ and even the ‘never-wanna-try-its’ an opportunity to start putting together the techniques they are learning in the exercise classes.”
Joe Pappafotis, 29, of Baltimore, said the Brazilian jiu-jitsu workouts he goes through at Ground Control sure beat running.
“It helps maintain a high level of flexibility [and] strength and it’s a form of cardio that holds your attention instead of just running on a treadmill,” he said. “I played college lacrosse and after I was done
[with] that I was looking for something competitive that would actually keep my interest.”
With the ever-growing buzz of mixed martial arts across America, Ground Control has seen a surge in popularity over the past few years. The Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy has evolved from a few guys in a random warehouse in Canton to a school of more than 200 students in three locations: Canton, Owings Mills and Columbia.
One of the perks of training at Ground Control is getting to learn from professional fighters, such as Ryan Mackin, an undefeated 29-year-old athlete who grew up in Columbia.
Mackin’s professional career is on the rise and he believes that training in mixed martial arts isn’t just for the crazy guys you see on TV who could probably rip your head off.
“I’ve never met anybody who has put serious effort into this sport that has anything negative to say,” he said.
Those getting the training notice the difference in the quality of their workouts.
Patrick Paprickrivera, 19, of Edgewood, said the Muay Thai training he receives provides a “10 outta 10 workout.”
“You always get a great sweat. You get a great understanding of the basics and you always end up learning something. It’s something that, even if it’s above your skill level, you can understand the instruction as if you’re an infant,” he said. “It works your heart and your head. You have to want it. It works every single muscle in your body, your mind and your spirit.”
MEET THE TRAINER
An undefeated professional fighter with a 4-0 record, Ryan Mackin, 29, runs classes for beginners at Ground Control.
The former state champion wrestler at Hammond High, Mackin also competed for Glouchester Community College in N.J.
“Over the past couple of years, Ryan has become our most well-rounded fighter,” academy owner Rob Mulqueen said. “He came to us as a wrestler, but has evolved to be so much more. He lacked stand up, so he spent a few months at JittiGym in Thailand. He even fought pro there in the famous Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. That’s like Madison Square Garden for boxing. ... He is, without a doubt, our most valuable resource.”
Mackin recently lost his father, Steven, while training for tryouts for the TV show “The Ultimate Fighter.” He credits the sport and his training partners with helping him get through the situation. “It took me five steps backwards as far as my mental state,” he said. “I’m still haven’t fully recovered but eventually I’m convinced I can make this into a positive.”
THE ULTIMATE WORKOUT
Nick Ehrlich, strength and conditioning coach at Ground Control, trains as a submission grappler with a Blue Belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The Towson University alum also owns his own fitness company. Ehrlich recommends training in martial arts as an excellent way to tone up before summer.
“It’s not often you have a workout and leave a gym wanting to go right back, instead of thinking I’m glad that’s over,” he said.
Ground Control offers exercise classes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and boxing. Ehrlich breaks down each discipline taught at Ground Control and how you can get the best workout out of each class.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
BJJ competitors grapple until they can secure a submission.
Nick’s advice: “Slow down and learn the technique. If you aren’t doing that, you’re never going to learn it to the point where you can just roll with it. If you do slow down and learn it right, it’s a great way to work your core.”
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport which originated in Thailand and resembles kickboxing (think Jean-Claude Van Damme’s appropriately titled film “Kickboxer”).
Nick’s advice: “Muay Thai is very cardiovascular. It’s also core-intensive in that it’s not about snaps, it’s more about power. You have to condition your body to deliver good strikes.”
Boxing
You don’t have to take a class at Ground Control to know what boxing is.
Nick’s advice: “It’s the simplest form of martial arts and yet it’s the most complex. You don’t think about the rest of your body when you strike, but you do have to use the rest of your body in your movement. Again, it’s very cardiovascular.You’re going to breathe heavy and sweat a lot.”
About Ground Control
Ground Control Academy
5711 O’Donnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224-4761
410.558.2988
groundcontrolbaltimore.com
Monthly Membership Fees:
One-Year: $125 per month.
Two-Year: $105 per month.
Law Enforcement and students: $75.
Non-Member Mat Fee: $20.
The first lesson is free.