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Houston Judo Academy

5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Houston, Texas

Judo dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Newaza Competition

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Newaza newaza (groundwork) classes — judo's mat game of pins, holds, and controls, and a natural bridge to Brazilian jiu-jitsu
  • Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule houstonjudoacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 281-616-3035

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 8–9:30 pm
Thursday Closed
Friday 8–9:30 pm
Saturday 2–4 pm
Sunday 4–7 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Houston Judo Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Judo 2 mentions

“Lastly, he’s now training my son in wrestling - I have full confidence that Coach Pedro, with the right student mind, can train anybody to become a champion.”

All dojos that run kids judo →

🏆 Competition (Shiai) 2 mentions

“Coaches are elite former competitors and trainers of elite competitors; great place for conditioning, training and friendship.”

All dojos that run competition (shiai) →

🤼 Newaza (Groundwork)

“Con: I wish they did more newaza and teach different techniques once in a while for a well rounded judo experience.”

All dojos that run newaza (groundwork) →

🤸 Throws (Nage-waza) 2 mentions

“If you're looking to improve your takedown game or just get stuck into Judo I would highly recommend this club.”

All dojos that run throws (nage-waza) →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Houston Judo Academy — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

“Judo will compliment you bjj”

Other dojos that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🤸 Wrestling

“Lastly, he’s now training my son in wrestling - I have full confidence that Coach Pedro, with the right student mind, can train anybody to become a champion.”

Other dojos that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Pros: Great coach (looking at you Pedro), individual attention and loads of fun.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“A great place to train and learn judo, highly trained professionals, welcoming environment and great for kids and adults.”

🤝 respectful, no-ego dojo 4 mentions

“A great place to train and learn judo, highly trained professionals, welcoming environment and great for kids and adults.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“Con: I wish they did more newaza and teach different techniques once in a while for a well rounded judo experience.”

🏆 active competition team 3 mentions

“Coaches are elite former competitors and trainers of elite competitors; great place for conditioning, training and friendship.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“Lastly, he’s now training my son in wrestling - I have full confidence that Coach Pedro, with the right student mind, can train anybody to become a champion.”

From the reviews

I visited Houston and was lucky to attend some classes as a guest of coach Pedro. I am very much out of shape and he accommodated me to his class allowing me to do what I could. His class was very welcoming and focused.

★★★★★ — Karina, Dec 2019

Started judo at Jason Morris Judo Center. I moved to Central Texas area for work. I tried Judo in the Austin and Dallas area but wasn’t able to find the same quality as Jason’s gym until I found Houston Judo Academy. This club has good judo. If you are looking for good judo in Texas you have to train here.

★★★★★ — Lakesh, Sep 2025

A great place to train and learn judo, highly trained professionals, welcoming environment and great for kids and adults. Son muy profesionales y están muy capacitados en su labor una correcta enseñanza de los elementos técnicos y una dosificación laboral intachable...

★★★★★ — Diulio, Oct 2019

I came in as a white belt with no lessons and was able to do a throw by the end of the class

★★★★★ — Lauren, Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Houston Judo Academy

Houston Judo Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first judo class at Houston Judo Academy

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Houston Judo Academy

5130 East Sam Houston Pkwy N, Houston, TX77015

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.