The best coaching, best atmosphere, its hands down the best martial arts school Ive ever experienced

I love this place!! What I really appreciate about Empire is that whether you’re there to get in shape, learn a new hobby, or compete, the coaches start you at the absolute fundamentals and build you up from there, rather than pushing you beyond your skill level so that you end up injuring yourself and/or others. It’s a diverse environment and everyone is super supportive as long as you’re respectful and are willing to work hard!

From day 1, The coaches were instructive, supportive, and pushed me. They’re receptive to questions and ready to critique and adjust your technique. Even if you’re doing it for a workout as opposed to prepping for a fight, it makes no difference. A student is a student to them and their methods produce solid results. Don’t wait up.

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. Truly a non judgmental and low key atmosphere. If you’re looking to get an amazing workout and learn some great combat skills, I would highly recommend coming to 10th planet in Rochester. Coach Chris, Wally and Josh Show their passion in the way they train the guys/girls that attend the gym. Will never go anywhere else.

This microcosm of human development is one of the absolute gems of the Rochester area. You can’t beat top notch instruction from respectful coaches with talented training partners in a fun, well-maintained atmosphere. The free Sunday morning yoga with Rodney is a massive added bonus. 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. Get after it.

Great place to train whether you are a beginner or you’ve been doing this for a while.Very receptive staff, extremely high level coaching and very down to earth.Only good vibes when I am here. Highly recommend.

If youre looking to fight, compete, or just get in shape theres really no better place than Empire. Youre not going to find better or more qualified coaches anywhere. Regardless of what your goal is, theyll get you there. It also doesnt hurt that its a very fun atmosphere and some of the students are incredibly good looking. Come check it out bro!

As a woman, training has become invaluable. After being to a few other gyms and talking with former teammates who’ve moved, Empire is undoubtedly one of the best. The coaches are highly-skilled but work with students regardless of their skill level and if they ever want to fight. I rowed in college and was lifting after graduation before joining and only had a year of karate as a kid. Now, I’ve been at the gym since December 2014, am enrolled in all of the classes, and have trained and competed in both kickboxing and jiu jitsu. Joining the gym is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Amazing facility and staff. Very knowledgeable and accepting of all skill levels. I trained with them for over 10 years. I highly recommend

World class coaching, well structured classes for real progression, clean gym with good equipment, challenging conditioning classes, free yoga... everything under one roof. Good, respectful sparring partners.

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 youre experienced or brand new. They have new members signing up every week and there is an amazing team feeling. The classes are co-ed and they even have junior classes for kids.

Empire is the best gym due to the fact that it can accommodate all levels. Whether you are beginner or a experienced fighter the coaches and the members can find a way to push you to new limits.

Best place to train in rochester. Great staff that will help you achieve your goals regardless if you want to compete, learn self defense, or want to have a good workout.

Great Gym, With great partners, Coaches, and Programs. Everything from Kids to Experienced Competitors. If you’re serious, you come here.

Very good coaching and equipment. great way to get in shape while learning something new everyday. never gets old.

I trained here for 6 months. I’ve been involved in the sport of boxing since I was a child and started training traditional Muay Thai over 7 years ago at a top gym in NYC. The “Muay Thai” at Empire is not truly Muay Thai. It is Dutch style kickboxing. There’s a big difference between the two.I didn’t learn anything with regard to their “Muay Thai” because the striking coach was always busy on his phone. I recall one class when he was actually mounting a heavy bag and using his phone for the entire class. He’d only stop to tell you the next combo to work on and then he’d get back to mounting the heavy bag and using his phone. In addition, this wasn’t an outlier, the striking coach had done this numerous times whereby he would be using his phone for most of the time while the students were working on their combos. This shows me that the coach is not engaged at all in teaching.As for the grappling program, I found the wrestling classes to be very good. I learned each class. Joey is a good teacher who takes his time going over a technique and he will constantly correct you if it is wrong. Joey was definitely attentive. The sparring at the end of class was great, too.As for the grappling classes taught by the owner Chris, they were good some of the time but Chris at would often speak about random and tangential topics for 15-20 minutes during most classes. When you pay to train, it’s to learn the techniques, not to hear your coach talk about random topics for 15-20 minutes. I also heard and observed Chris speak to one of his students disrespectfully which didn’t sit well with me.Lastly, if you sign a 1 year contract like I did and can’t train for 6 month due to school, don’t even bother asking if you can pay out the rest of your contract for a reduced price, it won’t be an option.

Ive trained here for approximately half a year now and I can say I have learned so much already in the last few months. If your looking to become extremely fit or train to reach your potential as fighter this is the place for you.

Amazing Martial Arts facility with friendly staff and world class instructors that are there to help you every step of the way! From 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu to Kickboxing for all ages, they really do have you and your family covered on all levels. I highly recommend Empire for all your martial arts needs!

This place has changed my life. Big thank you to the owner Chris Herzog. And to all the trainers at the academy. Ive had the pleasure of working with, Trainers Walter Macdonald IV, Rodney Hohestein, and Joshua Santana. Grateful to be part of a family of people with such a deep understanding of combat training, recovery, and technique. I would recommend to anyone looking to further develop or begin developing skills in all levels of martial arts. You get what you pay for here. Not only are they knowledgeable, but they are great teachers who accommodate all levels of experience. Classes land on a spectrum from beginner/fundamentals to advanced level. These guys are rare top level fighters with years of experience and we here in the Rochester area are lucky to have them so close to home. Once again, Thank to the Empire Academy of Combat Sports. You nailed it. And like most Martial arts students I have been to multiple gyms in the area and Empire Academy has been the most organized, effective and practical school ive been to this far and I plan on staying here for as long as im in Rochester.

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. They have been actively searching and learning from world class athletes in their own fields, such as Eddie Bravp, Duane Ludwig, Pat Miletich, Igor Yakimov, and Ray Casal. For veterans who never satisfy with yourselves, this is a great place to broadening your horizons with the most up-to-date and battle-tested techniques; for beginners who dont know how to tie a belt or wrap hands, this is a great place to set a solid foundation for something you might do for the rest of your lives.The students defy stereotypes of a MMA gym. They are always friendly, welcoming and supportive. Its advantageous for fighters to have a group of supports that constantly push and encourage during themselves a tough training session for their upcoming competition. Also it helps novices to learn in this positive and unassuming environment. You just have to be there, Bro!Youll also get a free nickname when you sign up for the one year plan.

Knowledgeable/helpful coachs, fun atmosphere.

Best place to train in NY.

Great gym, great coaches, and great people.

Jiu Jitsu for kids 👍