AT PRESENT, UNIVERSAL JUDO ACADEMIES OFFERS CLASSES FROM AGES 8 YEARS AND UP.

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN JUDO...SORT OF. IF YOU ARE AGED 74 OR OVER, WE REQUIRE A FIT NOTE FROM YOUR GP FOR INSURANCE REASONS. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, NO.

JUDO IS A JAPANESE MARTIAL ART, WHICH UTILISES A BLEND OF JAPANESE JUJUTSU AND WRESTLING TECHNIQUES. JUDO IS A SPORT, A MEANS OF SELF DEFENCE AND FITNESS.

YES...AND NO. KOSEN JUDO IS A TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP RULE SET USED IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF KYOTO JAPAN. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE DEFINITELY INHERITED THE "STYLE" OF KOSEN JUDO, WE RARELY REFER TO IT AS SUCH. 

YEP. EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES ONE FREE TRIAL LESSON TO DETERMINE WHETHER JUDO AND THE CLUB ARE FOR THEM.

WEAR SOMETHING COMFORTABLE LIKE SHORTS AND T SHIRT. REMEMBER, JUDO IS A GRAPPLING SPORT, SIMILAR TO WRESTLING SO DON'T WEAR YOUR "SUNDAY BEST" AS CLOTHES MAY OCCASIONALLY GET PULLED DURING LIVE PORTIONS OF CLASS.

AS OF 2025, WE HOLD GRADINGS TWICE PER YEAR. ONE IN SUMMER, ONE IN WINTER. GRADINGS ARE NON MANDATORY AND YOU WON'T BE ENTERED FOR A GRADING THAT YOU ARE NOT READY FOR.

NO. COMPETITIONS ARE NOT MANDATORY BUT THEY ARE ENCOURAGED AS A MEDIUM TO DEVELOP STUDENTS ON THEIR JOURNEY. 

YES. TRADITIONAL JUDO COVERS STRIKING. THIS IS REFERRED TO AS ATEMI WAZA. ALTHOUGH NOT A PRIMARY FOCUS OF OUR CLASSES, WE DO VISIT STRIKING WHILST EXAMINING VARIOUS MODULES SUCH AS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA), GOSHIN JUTSU (SELF DEFENCE & COMBAT MODULES), WEAPONS TRAINING, JUJUTSU, KATA AND ADVANCED SYLLABUS.

ALL COMBAT SPORTS CARRY AN INHERRANT RISK, EITHER FROM THE ACTIVITY ITSELF OR FROM UNEXPECTED PULLS AND STRAINS. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR INPECCABLE SAFETY RECORD AND INSTILLING A STRONG SENSE OF SAFETY AWARENESS TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. SO WHILST WE CAN'T GUARANTEE INJURIES WILL NEVER HAPPEN, WE CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE DO ALL WE CAN TO CREATE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE TRAINING ENVIRONMENT.

YES. QUITE A FEW ACTUALLY. IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR THERE TO BE 5 OR MORE LADIES TRAINING IN THE ADULT CLASS AT ANY GIVEN SESSION. 

The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts recognises clubs or providers in England who have demonstrated that they have reached and maintained good safeguarding standards.

SPORTS ENGLAND SAFEGUARDING CODE IN MARTIAL ARTS WEBPAGE

The BMABA (British Martial Arts & Boxing Association) Club Colours award is a high level accreditation for martial arts clubs in the UK,  signifying a gold standard in safeguarding and regulation.

It demonstrates a club's commitment to best practices and is a mark of excellence. Clubs achieving this award undergo rigorous vetting, including checks on DBS, insurance, first aid, safeguarding, club policies, identity, and address. 

BMABA CLUB COLOURS AWARD WEBPAGE