ATHLETIC TRAINING
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Barry Toyama of TSC worked with former Chaminade basketball player Zack Whiting yesterday.
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Toyama’s program puts a focus on performance
Barry Toyama understands that there is more to winning than finishing first. In his business, having athletes perform to their fullest is a victory.
That clients have won state championships is just a bonus to the founder of Tactical Strength & Conditioning.
"We serve a variety of athletes, some professional," Toyama said. "It's very diverse. Our methodology is adaptable for whatever sport or whatever range we encounter."
Success speaks for itself. TSC has worked with both Iolani and Punahou sports teams, resulting in a number of league and state championships in girls and boys volleyball, swimming and golf.
Other clients include golfer David Ishii, former NFLer Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala and pro beach volleyball players Tanya Fuamatu-Anderson, Heidi Ilustre and Scott Wong.
"Our training is based off of movement, what athletes need for each sport," Toyama said. "We actually call Scott 'The One' because he has great skills, is super stable, is very strong with no imbalances.
"He's very focused, has a great work ethic, understands the nutritional aspect and is very athletic."
TSC isn't for everyone. The focus is on sports performance, not a "Weekend Warrior" lifestyle change such as reducing body mass. For the latter, Toyama said the staff -- which includes Darin Yap and Wayne Hudson -- will refer those to other programs.
Sessions cost $45-$75 for 60 to 75 minutes, which includes warm-ups, movement, strength, power and stability work.
"The hour is jam-packed," Toyama said. "We basically preprogram movements for what you do in your sport, what will help reinforce what you do for your sport. It's also a test for you. You'll remember what you did the last time as well as a reassessment of what you did. Muscle memory is huge."
The program continues outside of the session -- the other 23 hours of the day, as Toyama puts it.
"We give them reading, we take into account their individual lifestyle, their stress levels at home and at school," he said. "You can tell athletes what to do and you can tell when they follow it and when they don't."
Toyama became interested in the field through Dr. Jan Prins, his professor at the University of Hawaii and former UH swimming coach. Prins' expertise is in exercise physiology and biomechanics.
"On the mainland there were huge performance training centers and not many in Hawaii," Toyama said. "He said this is what Hawaii needed. I hope we're paving the road for the industry here.
"We've been doing this for nine years, started off very small at Ala Moana Beach Park with a few kids."
Just like the fitness industry has grown, so has TSC, which is still based on more than winning, in part due to Toyama's personal experience.
The Mid-Pacific graduate played football for Pac-Five during some lean years.
"I learned not to quit," he said. "You came back because you loved it and wanted to challenge yourself to do your best."