Judo
Adult classes at a judo club or a city program and a single-weave judogi. The first weeks are breakfalls, the first throws with a partner and holds on the mat.
What it is like
Judo starts on the floor. Before anyone throws you, a coach teaches you how to land: on your back, your side and your front. Every session keeps time for these breakfalls, because they are what makes the throws safe to practise.
Then come the throws, practised in pairs: tori performs the technique, uke receives it and falls. On the mat, holds pin a partner on their back, and later chokes and arm locks are taught, with a firm rule that a tap means stop.
Classes are as varied as the clubs. A city program such as Kansas City Parks’ runs a modest number of classes for a low monthly fee; a dedicated club offers more sessions, grading for coloured belts and the chance to compete.
The aim, in Kano’s own principles, is maximum efficient use of energy and mutual welfare and benefit: leverage and technique rather than strength, and partners who look after each other.
- A session
- Warm-ups, drills, throws, falls, groundwork and controlled sparring, as Kansas City Parks describes its classes.
- A week
- Two or three classes a week.
- Season
- All year, indoors.
Indoors · A club, For two, With kids
Kinds and styles
Regular classes with grading for coloured belts.
Matches scored by ippon and waza-ari, with Golden Score to break ties.
Set forms practised in pairs; the Kodokan recognises ten.
Part of the Paralympics since 1988.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You want a full-body sport with a partner, not alone on a machine
- There is a judo club or city judo program near you
- You like learning a skill step by step, with belts to mark progress
Maybe not, if
- You do not want close physical contact with training partners
- A back, neck or shoulder problem makes falling a worry; ask a doctor first
What to buy first
- 01A month of adult classesKansas City Parks' adult judo costs $40 a month or $7 a class; Mid Missouri Judo charges $120 a month for unlimited adult judo$40
- 02A single-weave judogiThe white cotton jacket, trousers and belt; Fuji's Essential Judo Kimono costs $54.95Find it on Amazon$55
- Everything you need to beginAbout $80 a month after that$95
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
The Amazon links open a search for that type of item, not a product chosen for us, and the prices in the list are our typical figures, or the listing of the shop a line names, not Amazon's price for any listing. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What to buy next
- 01A double-weave judogiHeavier and tougher; USA Judo's Double Weave Gi 2.0 costs $149.95 at FujiFind it on Amazon Once you train two or three times a week
- 02A mouth guardFuji's Quick Fit mouth guard costs $34.95Find it on Amazon Before randori
- 03A second judogiOne to wash while you wear the otherFind it on Amazon When you train often
- 04A gear bagA damp judogi needs to come homeFind it on Amazon For the judogi and a towel
These are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you; where a line names a price, it is that shop's or maker's listing when we checked, not Amazon's price. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
From the first breakfall to randori, step by step
Judo began in 1882 at Kano Jigoro's school in Tokyo and is now an Olympic sport, but every judoka starts the same way, by learning to fall. This guide goes from finding a club and a judogi through breakfalls, the first throws and holds to free practice, with the safety rules that keep partners whole.
Warning: Before you start Train only at a club with a qualified coach, on proper mats, and learn breakfalls before you are thrown: Wikipedia notes that poor breakfalls and badly applied throws can injure both partners. A 2013 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found sprains, strains and bruises, mostly of the knee, shoulder and fingers, the most common injuries, with being thrown the usual cause; severe injuries were rare and usually affected the brain and spine. In holds, chokes and locks, a partner submits by tapping the mat or you at least twice, or by saying 'maitta'; let go at once. USA Judo membership includes secondary accident medical insurance, up to $25,000, for injuries at sanctioned events or club practices. If you have a back, neck or shoulder problem, ask a doctor first. We do not give medical advice.
Kansas City Parks' adult judo, for ages 18 and up, costs $7 a class; Mid Missouri Judo, for one, offers a free first week.
Jacket, trousers and belt; ask the club what to wear to the first class.
Rear, side and front breakfalls (ushiro, yoko and mae ukemi) come before being thrown.
Tori performs the technique, uke receives it and falls.
A first pin (osaekomi-waza) with a partner, under the coach's eye.
The judogi
From the front: a judoka standing on a tatami mat in a white long-sleeved jacket, a coloured belt tied at the front with two ends hanging, and drawstring trousers to the ankles.
- A Uwagi Heavy cotton jacket Long sleeves since 1906. Step 2 →
- B Obi The belt Its colour shows rank. Step 2 →
- C Zubon Drawstring trousers Cotton. Step 2 →
- D Tatami The mat Where you learn to fall. Step 4 →
Steps 1-3Before the mat
- Step 1 of 8 · Before the mat
Find a class
Look for a judo club or a city program; Kansas City Parks' adult judo costs $40 a month, Mid Missouri Judo's unlimited adult membership $120.
Most people: a city or park program (trying it cheaply).
Start here A city or park programBest forTrying it cheaply
Fewer classes, a lower price.
A judo clubBest forTraining often
More classes, grading and competition.
- Step 2 of 8 · Before the mat
Get a judogi
A single-weave judogi is enough to start; Fuji's Essential Judo Kimono costs $54.95.
- Step 3 of 8 · Before the mat
Join USA Judo if your club asks
Membership includes secondary accident medical insurance, up to $25,000, for injuries at sanctioned events or club practices.
Steps 4-7On the mat
- Step 4 of 8 · On the mat
Breakfalls
Warning: WARNING Learn to fall before you are thrown. Poor breakfalls and badly applied throws can injure both partners (Wikipedia).
Rear, side and front breakfalls (ushiro, yoko and mae ukemi), then rolling ones; every session gives time to ukemi.
- Step 5 of 8 · On the mat
Tori and uke
Practise a first throw with a cooperative partner, taking turns to throw and to fall.
Goes wrong: Powering through a throw with poor technique. Slow down and let the coach correct it.
- Step 6 of 8 · On the mat
Holds on the mat
Warning: CAUTION To submit, tap the mat or your partner at least twice, or say 'maitta'. When your partner taps, let go at once.
Pin a partner on their back with a hold; in a match, 20 seconds scores ippon.
- Step 7 of 8 · On the mat
Randori
Free practice with a partner, the heart of Kano's judo, once the coach says you are ready.
Step 8Keep going
- Step 8 of 8 · Keep going
Keep going
Two or three classes a week, and grading for your first coloured belt.
Most people: grading and kata (learning the art).
Start here Grading and kataBest forLearning the art
Belts and set forms.
Club competitionBest forTesting yourself
Matches scored by ippon and waza-ari.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Powering through a throw with poor technique.
- Step 5 · Tori and uke
How you get better
- First weeksFalling
Rear, side and front breakfalls every session.
- First monthsFirst throws and holds
Throws with a cooperative partner, pins on the mat.
- After thatRandori and grading
Free practice and the first coloured belt.
- LaterCompetition or kata
Club tournaments, or set forms with a partner.
- Breakfalls (ukemi)
- Gripping the jacket
- Breaking a partner's balance
- First throws (nage-waza)
- Holds on the mat (osaekomi-waza)
- Tapping out and letting go
- Randori, free practice
Small things that help
- Practise breakfalls every session, even when they feel easy.
- Tap early: twice on the mat or the partner, or say 'maitta'.
- Let go the moment your partner taps.
- Tell the coach about any injury before class.
- Keep nails short and the judogi clean.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Muscling a throwWikipedia notes that powering through with poor technique can injure both partners.
- 02Skipping ukemiPoor breakfalls are a common way to get hurt.
- 03Holding on after a tapA tap means stop, at once.
- 04Buying a competition judogi firstA single-weave judogi does for the first months.
Words you will hear in the dojo
From Wikipedia's article on judo.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tori | The person who performs a technique |
| Uke | The person who receives it |
| Ukemi | Breakfalls: rear (ushiro), side (yoko), front (mae) and rolling (zenpo kaiten) |
| Nage-waza | Throwing techniques |
| Osaekomi-waza | Holds that pin a partner on their back |
| Shime-waza and kansetsu-waza | Chokes and joint locks; in competition, joint locks are limited to the elbow |
| Randori | Free practice, which Kano made central to judo |
| Ippon | A full point: a clean throw onto the back, a 20-second pin or a submission |
| Waza-ari | A half point; two make an ippon |
Why people quit
- 01Falling feels scaryThat is why every session includes ukemi; breakfalls let throws be practised without significant risk of injury (Wikipedia).
- 02Partners are strongerKansas City Parks puts it plainly: judo uses leverage and technique over brute strength.
- 03Sore fingers and shouldersTell the coach; a review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found the knee, shoulder and fingers the usual places for sprains and strains.
Words you will meet
- Judoka
- A person who practises judo.
- Judogi
- The judo uniform: uwagi (jacket), obi (belt) and zubon (trousers).
- Tatami
- The mats judo is practised on.
- Kodokan
- The school Kano founded in Tokyo, the home of judo.
- Maitta
- 'I surrender', said to submit.
- Golden Score
- Sudden-death overtime when scores are tied.
Questions people ask
What does it cost?
Kansas City Parks' adult judo costs $40 a month or $7 a class; Mid Missouri Judo charges $120 a month for unlimited adult judo, with a $25 drop-in after its free week.
What do I need?
A judogi; Fuji's single-weave Essential Judo Kimono costs $54.95.
Do I have to be strong?
No. Judo uses leverage and technique over brute strength, as Kansas City Parks' program description puts it.
Is it dangerous?
Injuries happen, mostly sprains, strains and bruises of the knee, shoulder and fingers (British Journal of Sports Medicine review, 2013). Learning breakfalls first and training under a coach lowers the risk.
How are matches won?
By ippon: a clean throw onto the back, a 20-second pin or a submission. Two waza-ari also make an ippon.
Where to go next
- 01BoulderingGrip strength and falling onto mats, on a climbing wall. $47 to start
- 02FencingAnother one-on-one Olympic combat sport, with a blade. $200 to start
How it compares
| Judo | Bouldering | Fencing | Swimming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $95 | $47 | $200 | $88 |
| Each month | $80 | $80 | $200 | $40 |
| Space | A dojo with mats | A climbing gym | A club with fencing strips | A public pool |
| Noise | Medium | Quiet | Medium | Low |
| First result | Breakfalls in the first class | One session | Footwork in the first class, bouts within the course | Floating in the first lesson, lengths after a course |
| Mess | A sweaty judogi to wash | Chalk | A sweaty jacket to wash | A wet towel and swimsuit |
Where to learn more
- 01USA Judo: What is judo?The national body's introduction and club finder.
- 02Wikipedia: JudoHistory, techniques and rules.
Sources: Kansas City Parks and Recreation: Adult Judo · Mid Missouri Judo: Pricing · Fuji Sports: Essential Judo Kimono White · USA Judo: Memberships · Pocecco E. et al., Injuries in judo: a systematic literature review, Br J Sports Med 2013 · Wikipedia: Judo
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.