Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Start Today?
If you have grappling experience and would like to jump in, we sure welcome you. If you do not have grappling experience we recommend you observe the first class to see what it’s like.
Does Red River Judo offer a student discount?
We do! RRJ has long been a part of Fargo Moorhead’s college community and we welcome students by providing them a collage discount.
What should I wear under my Gi?
We recommend wearing a pair of athletic or compression shorts and a compression shirt (also called a rash guard) under your gi.
Can I still learn Judo if I have never done martial arts or grappling before?
Absolutely! Red River Judo welcomes people of all skill level and age levels. It is never to late to learn a new skill.
Should I be concerned about injury?
Judo, like most martial arts, is a contact sport. There is always the possibility for injury. When starting judo, the first thing a student learns is how to fall, because a person cannot effectively throw if they don’t know how to effectively fall. We strongly recommend stretching before and after class.
What if I am not in great shape?
That is okay! Grappling martial arts like Judo, Jiu-jitsu, Sambo and Catch Wrestling are amazing methods of building functional strength and increasing cardio. Judo is a martial art of technique. Kyuzo Mifune, was one of Jigoro Kano’s most legendary students, was only 5′ 2″ tall and 100 lbs.
It is! If grappling arts are a family, Judo is the older brother to sports like Jiu-jitsu and Sambo. Judo was founded by Jigaro Kano in 1882. It was developed from Japanese Jujutsu and other related martial arts. Mitsuyo Maeda, one of Kano’s top students, went to Brazil 1914 and taught, what the Brazilians called, Kano Ju-jutsu. As the Brazilian’s evolved their version of the sport, it was re-monikered “Brazilian Jiu-jitsu”.