Judo - too gi reliant?

Question

i'm trying to decide between Judo and BJJ. I want to be able to apply my future skills in real life if ever needed, though the Judo class I've been trying for free doesn't seem to do any non-gi work. The BJJ class, though 60 dollars more a month, does 2 days a week gi, 2 days non gi, 1 mixed. What do you think? Is Judo too gi-reliant, and would that make it so the moves I learn wouldnt work in real life?

Answer 1

Find a school that teaches both of these, that is what I am doing.  The gi is essential in MA, for uniformity and as workout gear, so you really can't get around that.  There aren't many MA that don't use a gi in their techniques, so disqualifying one because it does employ a gi is not sound thinking to me.  Bjj and Judo go hand in hand, one on the ground, one in transition from standing to ground and complement each other very well IMO.  Take a striking art like Karate(Enshin) and you will be a complete fighter.

Answer 2

a coat, jacket or sweatshirt works just as well as a gi, pretty much anything except the thinnest t-shirts can be used. and most judo throws can be done with out a gi, there are several variations of them you can't do, but the basic idea of most of the throws is still possible and they can be done with out a gi

Answer 3

Do both if you have the time.

BJJ relies too much on ground fighting for you to use in real fights.  BJJ people also tend to have weakness when fighting from a standing position.  Judo typically works you well with standing techniques and ground work.

I suggest you start off in Judo.  Whenever you hit a plateau in your Judo progress, switch over to BJJ.  

People who think BJJ is the best thing for real life think that in real life, you fight on a surface that padding, no broken glass, rules in place where you cannot be hit or bitten, and no one who will jump in and help the guy you are fighting.

I see BJJ guys coming over to Judo all the time.  But don't worry, I won't tell anyone.  Your secret is safe with me.

Answer 4

As far as I've taken martial arts, Brazilian JJ, and Muay Thai are the most practical. Just remember that Jiu Jitsu is a grappling art. If this is for self defense, grappling will only suit you conveniently against 1 person at a time.

Judo is a manipulative art. It takes more precision then Jiu Jitsu, but it can adapt to handling more then 1 person.

If anything, pick Judo. If you have a good handle on it, it can be very practical, but nowhere near as powerful as BJJ. I'd suggest a kick boxing martial art actually. Muay Thai is easy to learn, very practical, and very effective. The art and culture isn't as interesting as Judo, but again if this is for self defense, go with what's best.

As for the Gi, remember that Judo is a martial art. There is an entire way of life you're supposed to experience. I find it's silly these days how many people take martial arts to fight. Self Defense is perfectly fine, but I found that there is so much more then fighting when you take up martial arts, it's culture. Deal with the Gi, it's supposed to be sentimental.