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Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness
4.9 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Rochester, New York
Affiliated gym — reviews and the gym's own info suggest it belongs to a known kickboxing or boxing-fitness franchise or network (think 9Round, iLoveKickboxing, CKO, TITLE Boxing Club or Jabz). Franchise gyms run a consistent class format and are often a friendly, familiar place to start. If a specific brand matters to you, confirm it on the gym's own site.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule teamempire.us — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 585-943-1652
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 5–7 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“From noob to professional, kids to adults, whatever your goals may be, this gym has your wants and needs covered if you’re striving to improve yourself.”
“They have a wide variety of skill in the people that attend the gym, and from the beginners to the pros, everyone gets the training they need.”
“If you have ever wanted to train/compete in MMA or be as fit as an elite athlete, Empire Academy is for you.”
“I signed up for the unlimited membership ($250), which lets you attend as many classes as you want, and I took Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu fundamentals, and combat conditioning.”
Other martial arts here
“I signed up for the unlimited membership ($250), which lets you attend as many classes as you want, and I took Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu fundamentals, and combat conditioning.”
“If anyone in the Rochester area has been thinking about stepping into an MMA gym, Empire is the one you wanna go to.”
“I signed up for the unlimited membership ($250), which lets you attend as many classes as you want, and I took Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu fundamentals, and combat conditioning.”
What members say
“Amazing Martial Arts facility with friendly staff and world class instructors that are there to help you every step of the way!”
“They have a wide variety of skill in the people that attend the gym, and from the beginners to the pros, everyone gets the training they need.”
“I signed up for the unlimited membership ($250), which lets you attend as many classes as you want, and I took Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu fundamentals, and combat conditioning.”
“It's advantageous for fighters to have a group of supports that constantly push and encourage during themselves a tough training session for their upcoming competition.”
“The coaches and environment here is always positive, I’ve seen my son’s confidence in himself grow since he’s started.”
“Amazing Martial Arts facility with friendly staff and world class instructors that are there to help you every step of the way!”
From the reviews
I have been at Empire for close to four years now and I’m grateful everyday that I walked through the doors. If you’re looking to be a fighter, or just coming in to lose weight, or hit the gym. This is the place. You’ll walk away with more than just physical gains, you’ll walk away a better human.
Have been to a few gyms in the past and 10th planet in Rochester is by far the best. They have a wide variety of skill in the people that attend the gym, and from the beginners to the pros, everyone gets the training they need. As a complete beginner, the process of slowly building my skill set has been amazing.
If you have ever wanted to train/compete in MMA or be as fit as an elite athlete, Empire Academy is for you. The coaches are all highly trained in a multitude of disciplines and will accommodate you if you're experienced or brand new. They have new members signing up every week and there is an amazing team feeling.
For People With ADD: The Empire Academy is the Three Wolf Moon of MMA Gym. For People with No ADD: The coaches at Empire Academy instill an atmosphere of excellence by setting high standards, beginning with themselves.
New to kickboxing? Start at Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness
Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first kickboxing class at Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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