The Budokwai

You totally can do Judo at your age and fitness level. I would recommend the books The Pyjama Game and Falling Hard by Mark Law - a London journalist who started judo at 50 and got to black belt. He trained at the Budokwai in London. That said, I would recommend you consider BJJ too. It is based on judo and very similar, but it emphasises fighting on the ground (newaza) more than throws. It's much easier on the body and less injury prone - though injuries are a real issue with both sports. Good luck! source, 2025 ↗

positive

I heard about Barnet Judo Club but I haven’t been there, the connection is just bad for me. Also there is Sobell Judo club in Holloway Road. Sobell does also the illegal techniques which other clubs do not teach as they are different association but, I haven’t been there too. London Uni does trainings in Warren Street/Goodge street area. I was there, I quite liked it. I have joined the budokwai at the moment but, I still want to do my Bjj journey so I wish I could find more time for the other judo clubs source, 2025 ↗

positive

I'd say BJJ is more nerdy than Judo. Way too many people nowadays are getting their blue belts and then starting their own BJJ Instagrams for the internet likes, it attracts a lot of nerdy people. Judo, in the UK, has a lot of history and I do believe that the Budokwai in London is the oldest dojo in Europe. The Olympics have sadly washed it down a little bit to make it more of a combat sport rather than a martial art. Not a hater though, I love them both. Karate and maybe Taekwondo are nerdy indeed. I did karate for over 10 years and there is some sort of LARPING that goes on. Many clubs st source, 2025 ↗

positive

You're getting robbed m8. Even Judo Olympic medalists don't charge this much money. The Budokwai in London does around £170 (212 USD for u yanks) for the entire year if you're training both BJJ and Judo for unlimited sessions. Lesser if you're a student. If you're doing just Judo, the price drops by half. They have Olympic medalists dropping by every now and then. Olympians are a common site there. source, 2025 ↗

neutral

The division between Judo and BJJ is exaggerated. 14 years ago, Saul Xibiero was ADCC champion in 2000. He's a Judo black belt and still cross-trains Judo. Ricardo Arona won his category in 2002. Also trained Judo. Roger Gracie won both his category and absolute in 2005. He famously trained Judo at the Budokwai in London for years and praised Judo for helping him improve his grappling. World champion Fernando Terere was bombing guys with his "Safada" Kouchi variation. source, 2024 ↗

neutral

I will second this. Look at Roger Gracie. 6'4" also, not overly big for his frame, yet had a lot of slick Judo takedowns that used his long legs.  OP, also look at Ashi Waza. Rogers footsweeps were top notch (for BJJ).  Roger trained regularly at Budokwai in London btw. The oldest Judo club in Europe.  source, 2024 ↗

neutral