Frequently asked questions

The instructors are always being asked lots of questions about Judo, so we have bought together some of the more popular ones.

If you have a question that isn't on the list then e-mail us your question and we will include the answer.

What does Judo mean?

A. The translation of Judo into English is "The gentle way".

Q.

Do you have kicks and punches like Karate?

A. Judo was derived from Ju-Jitsu by Dr. Jigoro Kano and kicks and punches were lost during that period that saw Ju-Jitsu become modern Judo. Judo consists of grappling, throwing and holding techniques that use your opponents force and effort to beat them, hence the the translation of "The Gentle Way".

Q.

Is Judo dangerous?

A. Judo is a full contact sport and we do from time to time have people being injured. Statistically we have far fewer injuries than other more popular sports such as Football and Rugby because all Judo players are trained to be able to land safely from any techniques performed by their partner/opponent.

Q.

Why should I do Judo?

A. Good question! It depends what you are looking for in your sport. Judo is a recognised Commonwealth and Olympic Sport, so if you want to set your goals high then you could well reach the top. For the rest of us Judo is a good way of keeping fit, and offers some good chances to get involved in competitions within your local area.

Q.

How long does it take to get a Black belt?

A. There really isn't a simple answer to this one. Some people progress through grades very quickly others take longer. Getting a Black belt (Dan grade) is within the abilities of most people, you just need to put in a lot of dedication and hard work.

Q.

Is Judo expensive to do?

A. Not really. To enjoy the sport the only equipment you will need is a Judo suit (Gi) and membership to the BJA. Your only other expense will be the fees for your lessons, which generally cost no more than most keep fit classes.

Q.

When can I start Judo?

A. From the age of five. However the club has members that have started at all sorts of ages, in fact some members didn't start until they were in the late thirties/early forties and are extremely competitive. There really isn't an upper age limit as long as you have no major health problems.

Q.

Is Judo fun?

A. YES!