Any judo people out there?

[xvikingx]

I am helping my friend find a judo-jo in Arizona and pointed him to two places that are under the USJF umbrella. I figure that is a safe bet but I don't have any experience with judo, so I was hoping somebody here might be able to give me a nod.
There is an intial $200 fee to join (includes USJF membership and dojo fees, gi, and beginner ukemi classes), and then $90 every month for 3 90 minute classes a week. Membership (dojo and USJF) has to be renewed every year for $100. So that comes out to $1280 the first year and $1180 every following year.
Is that pretty standard? Other than the equipment kendo is pretty inexpensive so I was a little shocked at the price but my instincts tell me that a place under the USJF would be safe. I don't know much about judo so I just want to make sure I'm pointing him in the right direction.

[xvikingx]

Just wanted to get this thread back on top so it doesn't get burried under another avatar question.

[Hisham]

You might have a better chance to get an answer on E-budo's judo section.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Yeah, I'd go there. I find the US judo situation confusing, there's at least 2 legitimate orgs and maybe more. Sounds pretty pricey though.

[Charlie]

Definitely double check with e-budo but this price seems reasonable to me. These costs probably also cover renting the facility, equipment such as mats, insurance and probably other things. Being able to train 3 times a week is significant, too. This seems comparable to gym memberships and classes, which can be, on the low end, $50 a month, and on the high end $100 or $150 a month. Definitely get a second or third opinion, though. E-Budo can also look at the program and tell you if it's recommended.

Yeah, there are, what, three U.S. judo orgs. Many club members belong to all three. *shrugs*

[xvikingx]

Cheers all. May give e-budo a go but I hate registering for forums, online shopping, and such.

[whosesoever]

After doing Kendo, everything else is just so expensive.

[1stdan]

hey Viking, I took Judo here in the Dallas Area for a year and some months, My Initial start up was about what you are describing, a couple hundred dollars, and thatset me up with the US judo federation and local affiliates. My dojo was headed by a hachi dan named Tamura with several senior belts below him. The amount of knowledge was staggering. I think my monthly was $80 a month if I remember correctly. Sounds like you have found a decent deal.

[xvikingx]

Thanks for the feedback.

[samurai80]

Just a post to keep this on top.

[babayaga]

I am helping my friend find a judo-jo in Arizona . . . (snip) . . .
There is an intial $200 fee to join (includes USJF membership and dojo fees, gi, and beginner ukemi classes), and then $90 every month for 3 90 minute classes a week. Membership (dojo and USJF) has to be renewed every year for $100. So that comes out to $1280 the first year and $1180 every following year.
Is that pretty standard?

I pay $50 to USJF for my annual membership. My dojo is non-profit and I pay $45 for myself and two kids per month. That's $45 for all three of us, not $45 each.

I'm not sure how much other New England dojo like Tohoku charge. My sensei is more like a koryu sensei and he doesn't make any money from teaching.

I wonder if the influx of ultimate fighting/MMA dudes is inflating the prices at some judo dojo.