FAQ

What do I need to wear to classes?

If it's your first time, you can wear any athletic clothing! For members, you can purchase your judo gis through us! Contact us and we will help you with sizing and get your order in right away. Already have a gi? Feel free to wear it! Please be aware that uniforms for martial arts such as Taekwondo and Karate are much thinner than judo gis, and will rip easily in practice due to the nature of the sport.
How should I prepare for classes?

The best way to prepare for classes is to have good hygiene! As judo is a contact sport, we ask participants to keep their nails short (to prevent scratching, ripping, and tearing), to come to practices clean (clean hands, feet, and judogi), to cover up any cuts or wounds, and to stay home if sick! In addition to this, when on the mats, participants are asked to remove their shoes and socks, take off any jewelry, and keep any long hair tied back.
Do I have to be in good shape before I start?

No, you will get into shape as you train. We encourage students of all abilities to join. The sooner you start judo, the better you'll get!
Is judo safe?

Judo places an emphasis on safe practice and a significant portion of each class is focused on falling safely. Students do not progress to active sparring until they are competant in safe practice, and begin training with more experienced students and instructors. As a result, judo is a very safe contact sport for children and adults.
Is judo good for children?

Judo is an olympic martial art and has many opportunities for children in terms of competition, events, training camps, provincial teams, and even national teams. Children in judo make friends with other students from across the province and country and gain physical and mental skills that will last them for life!
What is Judo BC? Do I have to become a member?

Judo BC is the organizing body for Judo in British Columbia. All judo students in BC must be registered with Judo BC. The annual fees not only cover insurance, but also provide many opportunities for students in terms of training camps, competitions, seminars, webinars, coaching clinics, among other events. Please see the Judo BC website for more information: http://www.judobc.ca/.
Is judo good for self-defence?

Judo is a fantastic base for self-defence. Not only does judo incoporate live and full-resistance sparring into all of its classes (when safe for students), it also focuses on maintaining control and taking-down / holding-down / submitting opponents of all shapes and sizes.
How do the belts work?

Judo has 6 kyu (colour-belt) ranks: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, and brown. The children's program additionally includes half-belts: white, white-yellow, yellow, yellow-orange, orange, orange-green, green, green-blue, blue, blue-brown, and brown. After brown comes black belt. The minimum age for a black belt in Canada is 15 years-old. While kyu grades are managed by individual schools, black belt testing must be performed in front of the provincial grading board.
How long does it take to get a black belt?

We encourage students to enjoy the journey, rather than chasing belts. In Canada, the minimum age for a black belt is 16, so young students are led through a comprehensive curriculum to prepare them for this milestone. Dedicated adult (and teen) students may achieve their shodan (first degree black belt) in 5-7 years. However, this timeline varies greatly depending on the student.
Are there competitions?

As an olympic sport, judo offers many competitive options for students of all ages and abilities! There are multiple competitions and training camps offered by Judo BC and other provinces that are open to any Judo BC member!
I am 20 / 30 / 50 / etc-years old, am I too old to start martial arts?

No, you are never too old to begin judo. Judo regularly has students begin as adults, and offers many benefits to adult students that can help them throughout their lives.
I'm very short / tall / light / heavy, is judo for me?

Judo focuses on maximum efficiency with minimum effort, which means that there are techniques for EVERYBODY. While traditional judoka compete in weight classes, open weight competitions are offered and we encourage training with different body types!
I require special considerations for fitness activities, is judo for me?

Please contact us if you have any questions about judo and whether it is appropriate for you! Judo techniques and training are very adaptable and we are flexible in our programming.
Will my child learn respect and discipline?

Judo cannot be fully practiced without a partner, so taking care of one's partner and respecting others is very important in judo. Students in judo learn to take care of each other and there is a focus on moral responsibility. Additionally, as judo is a contact sport, we strive to teach students to listen and maintain focus throughout classes.
What is Paralympic Judo?

Judo is an amazing sport in the paralympic games. Paralympic judo is open to visually-impaired athletes and is fully supported by Kizuna Judo Club. Contact us to learn more about VI judo today!