Judo

What it is

Judo is a grappling art built around throwing a partner to the mat from standing, then controlling them once they land. Students learn to grip, off-balance, and throw, and they learn how to fall safely, a skill that protects you on and off the mat. Judo is trained in the gi, the heavy cotton uniform whose collar and sleeves give both partners something to hold.

At Apex, judo is one class: a single all-ages session on Wednesday evenings at the Ashburn academy. It sits alongside the brand's jiu-jitsu and wrestling programs as the third grappling art on the members schedule.

Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu share a family tree. Jiu-jitsu grew out of judo in the early twentieth century, and the two still share grips, pins, and a respect for technique over strength. A judo class works through breakfalls, gripping, throws, and pins, with plenty of partner practice and a clear set of rules that keep throwing safe.

Who it is for

Judo has no age band. Kids, teens, and adults share one mat for the hour. Parents and children learning the same throws side by side is the whole idea of the class.

It is a good fit for a parent who wants to train with their child, for a jiu-jitsu or wrestling student who wants better stand-up grappling, and for anyone drawn to judo itself.

The class runs at the Ashburn academy only. Because judo is trained in the gi, members bring one to class; ask a coach what to get before you buy.

How you join

Judo is currently a members class. New-student trials are paused for now, while judo stays on the members schedule and members keep training.

Here is the honest path in:

1. Ask us. Contact the Ashburn academy and ask about judo. We will tell you where trials stand.
2. Start with a free class in a related program. Jiu-jitsu and wrestling are the closest arts to judo, and both have free trial classes open now. Ashburn Kids BJJ starts at 6, and Beginner Wrestling starts at 4.
3. Add judo when it opens to you. Once you are training at Apex, the coach can tell you when judo is available to new students.

At Apex Jiu Jitsu & MMA Ashburn

Currently paused at Ashburn. Ask us when it returns.

Questions about Judo

Why are judo trials paused?

Judo trials are a booking pause, not the end of the program. The Wednesday class stays on the members schedule, and members keep training in it. What is paused is new-student trial booking, and there is no reopening date yet. If you are interested, contact the Ashburn academy and ask where things stand; you can start in another program now and add judo when trials reopen.

How is judo different from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Both are grappling arts, but they put the emphasis in different places. Judo centers on throws and takedowns from standing, with pins and a shorter window for ground work. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu does the bulk of its work on the ground, working positions, escapes, and submissions. The two share a lot, and many grapplers find that training one sharpens the other.

Can parents and kids take judo together?

Yes, and that is the point of the class. Judo is the one all-ages mat at the Ashburn academy, where families train together on purpose. A parent and child can learn the same throws and falls in the same hour instead of taking turns. Trials are paused for now, so ask the academy about current openings.

Is judo taught at the Sterling academy?

No. Judo runs only at the Ashburn academy, on Wednesday evenings. Families near Sterling who want a grappling art can book a free class in jiu-jitsu, which starts at age 3 in Wolf Pups, or in Youth Wrestling for ages 5 to 13. Both teach the balance, grip fighting, and falling skills that carry over if you add judo later.