Business Details
Your Trusted Martial Arts Academy in Albany, NY
Atlas Jiu Jitsu has established itself as a premier martial arts academy with locations in Albany, Valatie, and Glens Falls, NY, as well as Waltham, MA. Our mission centers on delivering world-class instruction in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, and complementary disciplines through a team of highly accomplished instructors. With a legacy built on competitive excellenceincluding thousands of individual accolades and national/international team trophieswe provide a supportive environment where students of all levels develop technical proficiency, mental resilience, and physical conditioning.Our programs cater to diverse goals, from self-defense and fitness to competitive BJJ/MMA training, ensuring personalized pathways for growth. The academy's leadership includes IBJJF-certified black belts and former champions who bring decades of competitive experience to daily instruction. By combining structured curricula with mentorship-focused coaching, we empower students to achieve measurable progress while fostering a community rooted in discipline, respect, and continuous improvement.
Services
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Mixed Martial Arts
Combat Conditioning
Wrestling
Kickboxing
Kids Martial Arts
No-Gi Training
Competition Preparation
Highlights and features
- We offer instruction from IBJJF-certified black belts with world championship credentials
- Our curriculum combines proven competition techniques with practical self-defense applications
- We provide age-specific programs from children's Tiny Titans to adult MMA training
- Our team holds multiple Pan American gold medals and national championship titles
- We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized technical development
Associations and certifications
- IBJJF Certified Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Services
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program develops technical mastery through structured curriculum taught by IBJJF-certified black belts. Students learn leverage-based grappling techniques, positional control, and submission strategies applicable to self-defense and competition. With separate tracks for gi and no-gi training, the program accommodates all skill levels from beginner fundamentals to advanced competition preparation.
Mixed Martial Arts
The Mixed Martial Arts program integrates striking, grappling, and conditioning into comprehensive combat training. Certified instructors combine Muay Thai, wrestling, and BJJ techniques while emphasizing fight strategy and safety protocols. Classes focus on practical application through controlled sparring sessions and technical drills designed to build well-rounded martial artists capable of adapting to various combat scenarios.
Kids Martial Arts
Designed for ages 4-14, our Tiny Titans program teaches age-appropriate martial arts fundamentals through engaging, character-building activities. Instructors emphasize discipline, respect, and confidence development while introducing basic BJJ techniques and striking principles. The curriculum balances technical instruction with physical conditioning games to maintain youth engagement while establishing foundational self-defense skills and positive training habits.
Combat Conditioning
This high-intensity fitness program develops the strength, endurance, and agility required for martial arts competition. Structured workouts combine functional training, plyometrics, and sport-specific drills to enhance athletic performance. Participants improve cardiovascular capacity, core stability, and explosive power while learning energy management techniques crucial for both competition and real-world self-defense scenarios.
Wrestling Fundamentals
Our wrestling program focuses on takedowns, positional control, and defense techniques that complement BJJ training. Led by former NCAA-level instructors, classes emphasize technical precision and leverage principles applicable to both competition and self-defense. Students develop lower-body strength, balance, and reaction time through progressive drilling and live practice sessions that reinforce practical grappling applications.
People
Edward Anthony
Head Professor & Owner
3rd-degree BJJ black belt under Julio 'Foca' Fernandez with multiple Pan American gold medals and world championship podium finishes. Former #1 world-ranked black belt in his division who brings competitive expertise to daily instruction.
Joe Zakriski
Head Instructor
First-degree black belt with B.S. in Physical Education and M.S. in Health Education. Specializes in age-appropriate martial arts instruction and holds multiple competition titles including Washington DC IBJJF Open victories.
Aidan Sericolo
Head Instructor
4th-ranked No-Gi Adult Brown Belt in 2022 who transitioned to black belt under Edward Anthony. Focuses on competitive BJJ development while maintaining active competition status and tournament coaching expertise.
Steve Flannigan
Kids Program Director
Brown belt with 8+ years BJJ experience specializing in youth instruction. Former IBJJF champion who develops engaging curriculum for children's programs while assisting adult BJJ classes.
Leslie Pigott
Assistant Coach
Accomplished competitor with multiple IBJJF wins who focuses on creating positive learning environments for young students. Combines technical expertise with child development principles to build confidence and discipline through BJJ instruction.
Questions
What martial arts programs do you offer?
We offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (gi and no-gi), Mixed Martial Arts, Combat Conditioning, Wrestling, and Kickboxing for adults, plus our Tiny Titans program for children aged 4-14.
Do you provide free trial classes?
Yes, we offer a free introductory class at all locations to experience our training environment and meet instructors before committing to membership.
Are your instructors certified competitors?
All lead instructors are active competitors with championship credentials, including IBJJF-certified black belts and former world-ranked athletes.
What locations do you serve?
We operate academies in Albany, Valatie, and Glens Falls, NY, plus our Waltham, MA location, with consistent programming across all facilities.
Can beginners join your programs?
Absolutely. Our curriculum accommodates all skill levels with separate beginner tracks that focus on foundational techniques and gradual progression.
Do you prepare students for competitions?
Yes, we provide specialized competition training with experienced coaches who have guided athletes to Pan American, National, and World Championship titles.
