About Practice

Q: I'm not affiliated with Cornell, can I still join the club?

A: Yes! Our club is open to everyone, and we welcome anyone who’s interested in learning Judo. 

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Joining the club is completely free — there are no membership fees. The only potential cost you might incur is purchasing a Gi. While we’re happy to lend you one for the first few practice sessions, we ask that long-term members eventually bring their own Gi. 

Q: How are classes structured?

A: A typical class begins with stretching and warm-ups to get the body ready. We then move into uchikomi (repetitive drilling) to build muscle memory. 

After that, we focus on learning and practicing one or two standing techniques and one or two groundwork techniques. Classes usually end with several rounds of randori (sparring), tailored to each student’s experience level. 

Q: Do I have to come to every practice session?

A: Not at all! Attendance is flexible, but we recommend aiming for at least two sessions per week to get the most out of your practice. 

Q: Is the club competitive?

A: Our club is primarily recreational, with a focus on learning, fitness, and having fun. That said, we're collaborating with CNY Judo to organize casual, friendly competitions with other clubs from central New York; we’re aiming to have our first event in the Fall Semester of 2025, so stay tuned! 

Participation in competitions is completely optional, and we welcome both recreational and competitive members.

Q: I don't have a Gi, can I still come to practice?

A: Absolutely! We recommend wearing sweatpants and comfortable workout clothes. If you let us know in advance, we’ll be happy to lend you a Gi for the session. Just reach out to us at cornellclubjudo@gmail.com.

Q: What should I bring to my first practice session?

A: Wear comfortable workout clothes, like sweatpants and a t-shirt. Please trim your nails (both fingers and toes) and remove any makeup or jewelry before practice. Changing rooms and bathrooms are available at the Wrestling Center for your convenience.

Q: I have a BJJ Gi, does that work?

A: Yes, if you’re trying out Judo, feel free to wear your BJJ Gi! However, if you decide to continue practicing Judo long-term, we recommend investing in a Judo Gi. BJJ Gis are thinner and might not hold up during Judo practice. 

Q: What Gi should I buy?

A: Fuji is a good brand for beginners: you can find lots of good Fuji Gis on Amazon that cost somewhere around $60-80. Single-weave Gis are cheaper and more lightweight, and double-weave Gis are stiffer and a bit more expensive. Both are good for practice!