EMPIRE DEFENSE & FITNESS · ALBANY, NY
We Don't Teach
From the Sidelines.
We live this. Every single day.
Our Mission
Built From
Real Life.
For over 20 years, we have walked the same tightrope as our students: running a business, raising a family, showing up when life got loud, stressful and unpredictable.
Alan and Cheryl built EMPIRE together, side by side. Not as a theory. As a necessity.
Health, balance and energy are not trends to us. They are survival skills.
That is why our mission is simple: to empower, educate and motivate adults who are done drifting and ready to own their strength, physically and mentally.
And when our students tell us they can't wait for class? That is what reminds us we are doing it right.
That Is The EMPIRE WAY.
What We Stand For
Growth does not happen in the easy moments. We train through the resistance because that is where capability is built.
This is not a gym. This is a training floor. The goal is capability, not appearance.
We train with purpose. No showboating, no shortcuts. You show up prepared and accountable.
Every technique, every system, every class is built around what works when it matters most.
Meet Alan
51 Years.
Every Lesson Earned.
I'm Alan. I've been training in Martial Arts for over 51 years. Not because I had to, but because I needed to.
It started with being bullied. I didn't want revenge. I wanted confidence.
"Once I found it, everything changed."
That mindset carried me from commission-based work, to corporate leadership, to building EMPIRE, without shortcuts. Only discipline.
Yes, I have earned multiple Black Belts. But the first one? That one saved my life.
I've used these lessons everywhere: in the dojo, in boardrooms and in moments when things got real.
Today, my goals are simple: longevity, vitality and leading from the front.
I don't ask students to do anything I won't do myself. I train with them. Right beside them.
Because this isn't about looking good. It's about living strong.
Built Together
Alan and Cheryl.
Side by Side.
If you feel that pull, that quiet voice telling you that you are meant for more, then let's get to work.
Cheryl and I are here to serve you, ready to help you reclaim your power and live stronger every day.
We don't teach from a distance. We don't hand you a program and walk away. We are on the floor, in the work, right beside you, because that is the only way we know how to do this.
We have built this school around the belief that adults deserve real training. Not a watered-down version. Not a class designed to keep you comfortable. Training that challenges you, changes you, and gives you back something most people stopped believing they could have.
Real Training.
Five decades refining combat systems for real-world civilian application.
Certified in 7 combat disciplines. Trainer to SWAT units and military personnel.
Albany's top-rated adult-only school. Trusted by professionals and everyday adults.
Respect, structure, and real-world readiness. No belts for decoration. No trophies.
Start Today
Guesswork Disappears.
Spots are limited each month. Reserve yours and experience the Empire Method firsthand. No pressure. No obligation.
Experience The Shift For 1 WeekMon-Thu 3:30PM-9:30PM
Saturday 9:30AM-12:30PM