Alton Family Martial Arts & Fitness
About Us
In 2017, Adam Marburger, a dedicated local businessman and lifelong martial artist, turned a long-held dream into reality by opening his own Jiu Jitsu academy. With a vision to create a welcoming and family-friendly environment, Adam sought to provide a space where individuals of all backgrounds could feel comfortable and empowered.
Having grown up in traditional fight gyms, Adam recognized that the intensity of those environments often deterred newcomers. He wanted to break that mold, ensuring that everyone, especially those who might feel insecure, could step onto the mats with confidence and support.
To bring his vision to life, Adam hired Cort Wahle, a professional MMA fighter and fellow lifelong martial artist, to coach full-time. Together, they cultivated a positive and inclusive atmosphere that emphasizes personal growth, respect, and camaraderie among students.
Today, Alton Family Martial Arts & Fitness stands as a testament to their commitment to the Alton community. We take immense pride in our students and the relationships we’ve built, fostering not only martial arts skills but also a sense of belonging and family. Join us as we continue to grow, learn, and support one another on this incredible journey! 🥋
Instructors
Owner / BJJ Instructor
Adam Marburger
Black Belt under Kyle Watson
7X No Gi World Medalist
30X IBJJF Medalist
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Gi / No-Gi / Kickboxing / Youth Instructor
Cort Wahle
Black Belt under Kyle Watson
4th Dan Black Belt
National Champion in Taekwondo
Professional MMA Fighter
Life-Long Martial Artist
Bellator Veteran
I like to make the training as realistic as possible, mixing intensity with fun as best I can. I want my gym full of hard work and comfort.
The coaches I had growing up were the most influential people I had and the gym always felt more like home than anywhere. I wanted to take on that coaching role and not only build a team, but help others find themselves in martial arts similarly to how I have.
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Beginner Instructor
Steven Fisher
4 Stripe Blue Belt
I have been training at AFMA for 5 years focused on Jiu Jitsu and have competed in over 20 competitions across all affiliations. I am a gold medalist in IBJJF, AGF, and Fuji. I have also competed in pro shows through CBJJX.
I focus on the fundamentals in my training, teaching the students how to use leverage and position to their advantage. This prepares the student for the advanced classes and provides them a solid base to excel through our program. My favorite part of training is seeing how Jiu Jitsu follows our students into their everyday life.
Jiu Jitsu had a profound impact on my life and I wanted to share the knowledge I have gained. Jiu Jitsu is more than training on the mats. We learn how to put ourselves into bad positions and calmly get out of them. This directly impacts the way we react to bad situations in our everyday lives, and allows us to calmly address any situation we are faced with. This is why I love Jiu Jitsu!!
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Alton Little Ninja / Women's Instructor
Jacquelin Koehne
2 Stripe Blue Belt
Gold Medalist in Fuji and AGF
ACSM CPT
Autism Exercise Specialist
I began my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2017, with intermittent breaks, but have consistently returned to refine my skills. Martial arts have been a significant part of my life, and my passion for the physical and mental challenges they offer continues to drive me. Alongside my martial arts experience, I hold a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and am a certified personal trainer, autism exercise specialist, and expert in various fitness modalities. With over two decades of dedicated training in multiple sports, I bring a comprehensive understanding of human movement, strength, and conditioning, allowing me to seamlessly blend my knowledge of martial arts and advanced fitness principles.
My coaching philosophy is rooted in my academic background and extensive experience in both fitness and martial arts. For the kids I work with, I focus on ensuring they meet appropriate developmental milestones while making physical fitness fun and instilling a sense of joy in movement. For the women I coach, my goal is to foster confidence in their abilities and provide them with a deep understanding of their physical potential. I take pride in offering detailed, technical breakdowns, ensuring that learning is accessible and achievable for all skill levels, whether they’re just starting or looking to refine their technique.
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Beginner Gi / Yoga Instructor
Stephen Koehne
Purple Belt
Gold Medalist in Fuji
RYT 200
I am a lifelong martial artist with my primary interest being traditional martial arts prior to starting Jiujitsu in 2017. I am also a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance with additional training in sequencing and’s level one training through Warriors at Ease, a program specifically focused on adapting yoga to fit the needs of military populations.
To me, JiuJitsu is, among many other things, an avenue for personal development. As a coach I see it as my responsibility to figure out the best way possible to help students progress in their understanding of the principles and techniques of Jiujitsu every time they step on the mat. Doing so requires that I get to know each student, their goals, and how they learn and adjusting how I engage with them to ensure that they’re experience is the one best suited to nurture their growth.
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Youth No Gi, Beginner Gi Instructor
Tom Dawson
Purple belt
Gold Medalist in Fuji and AGF
5+ years Jiujitsu experience
I aim to simplify Jiujitsu to make it applicable to the average person. I hope to help every individual reach their personal goals from competing in Jiujitsu or just simply getting in better shape.
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Alton Family Martial Arts & Fitness
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
I love this team. They are highly skilled and work well with young kids. They teach self-discipline and self-confidence, skills that every person needs for life. I recommend Alton Family Martial Arts & Fitness!
Amanda Dee
Parent
I just recently started going there. They have lots of equipment. The staff is very friendly. The Judo program is getting started but already has lots of interest! The Judo mats are layered with foam which makes them great for practicing. The senseis have a ton of knowledge. They have both men and women training and the adults and kids have separate classes which are nice. Highly recommend this place.
Tara Kuhne
Student
A great place to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Super positive, friendly people. Solid instruction.
Anthony Springman
Student
Great facility! Extremely friendly and knowledgeable instructors and an all-around great environment for both adults and younglings!
Kyle Gerber
Student
Amazing place to train! Great atmosphere, the best instructors! Feels like a family. Would highly recommend it.
Heather Messerli
Student
The gym is fantastic. Very inviting atmosphere for all ages and all different levels of physical shape. The training has a great level of detail and also adds to the pace to make sure it is a good workout. Coaches are extremely personable going out of their way to make you feel invited and to work through the challenges of learning martial art. Highly Recommend.
Justin Stewart
Student