Judo or BJJ?

Question

I'm 21 years old, in shape, have basic wrestling experience and whatnot. I'm interested in Judo or BJJ only. The thing is, I have a bad lower back and I'm forced to sleep in recliners instead of beds, so I was wondering if Judo may make this problem even worse?

Also, which do you say is more effective 1 on 1 against someone in a fight or sparring match? I don't plan on fighting, just curious. I tend to think BJJ has the upper hand..

Answer 1

Judo can be very hard on your back.  I've got a minor back problem too, and I've had practices where I had to stop because my back got so tight I could barely move.  If you can't lie down, you're going to have problems with Judo because of all the impact.

Just between the two arts, BJJ is better for your back, but that's only because of the impact in Judo.  You are going to be spending a lot of time on your back in BJJ also, and you are going to have to do some things that will probably make your back hurt there too, such as bridging and trying to submit on the ground.  I don't know how bad it's going to make you feel, so you may as well try it.  It didn't really hurt my back too much, but your problem seems worse than mine.

As far as the fighting goes, either one can be effective if trained well.  BJJ groundwork and Judo groundwork are virtually identical, except that BJJ emphasises ground fighting a lot more (but then again, some Judo schools teach more groundfighting than others.  I've been to clinics with a Judo master who was a groundfighting specialist who could probably teach the Gracies a thing or two about groundfighting).  Judo throws can be devastating in a street fight situation, so the fight may not even go to the ground.

Answer 2

Judo is too rough for your back problem.

Play Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instead.

Answer 3

Bjj I'd say :)***

Answer 4

Ill take a BJJ any day

Answer 5

BJJ for the back injury if nothing else.  The falls and throws of Judo can be very hard on your body, especially when you are first learning.

Both are good in a fight.  BJJ has way more sophistication on the ground, but imagine a good judo player grabbing you by your coat and hurling you to the concrete at high velocity.  Ouch.  

Also, having done judo, I think wrestling in general has better takedowns (though judo's are nothing to sneeze at) and you have wrestling already.

BJJ.  100% better for what you are looking for.

Answer 6

I agree with both above, if you have a back problem stay away from Judo.  BJJ will be much kinder to your back.