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Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness
4.9 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Rochester, New York
Authentic Thai — reviews and the gym's own info point to coaching rooted in Thailand's muay thai tradition. If lineage matters to you, ask where the coaches trained and about their kru.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule teamempire.us — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (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
“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.”
“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.”
“If you are looking to learn, grown and get in great shape.”
“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.”
“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
“From 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu to Kickboxing for all ages, they really do have you and your family covered on all levels.”
“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 had no prior training other than a semester of Judo back in Community college.”
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.”
“Amazing Martial Arts facility with friendly staff and world class instructors that are there to help you every step of the way!”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
I was so nervous to step foot into this place. I had no prior training other than a semester of Judo back in Community college. I’ve learned so much from the coaches and teammates. Empire Academy is an amazing place where people from all walks of life are welcomed and treated with utmost respect.
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.
New to muay thai? 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 program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all 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 muay thai class at Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness
Nervous about walking into a muay thai 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 on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals 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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