Training & Conditioning For Judo

Blending scientific principles with judo traditions, this training guide delivers practical programming designed to boost strength, speed, agility, and endurance. It integrates muscle work, endurance circuits, tactical planning, and recovery techniques to help judokas overcome plateaus and excel in competition.



Long one of the world’s most popular sports, judo is also one of the most physically demanding. Success requires hard work, dedication, support, and a no-nonsense, comprehensive training program-one specific to the sport as well as the individual attributes of the athletes who compete in it. Enter Training and Conditioning for Judo.

A blend of science and tradition, Training and Conditioning for Judo delivers comprehensive, yet practical, programming for serious judokas and their senseis, instructors, and trainers. This integrated approach merges strength, speed, agility, and endurance training with judo-specific drills and activities, ensuring total preparation for combat, competition, and all-around excellence.

With diverse programming options that will help you avoid performance plateaus, you’ll discover training methodologies to incorporate into daily workouts:

• Muscle strengthening exercises for balance control, increased power, and improved kumikata, as well as to create a stronger, protective “armor” for the body
• Endurance training through running, cardio equipment, step, power and lactic circuits, and uchi-komi to improve aerobic and anaerobic conditioning
• Planning strategies to combine technical, tactical, and physical training while considering recovery cycles and tapering to time peak performance with competitions
• Recovery and prevention protocols such as warm-ups and stretching to keep the body resilient and to avoid injury

You’ll use body weight, machines, medicine balls, stability balls, ropes, bands, and straps to keep training options fresh. Whether you’re a young or senior judoka, male or female, lightweight or heavyweight, you will develop the physical abilities needed to take down your opponent with force and confidence.

With a black belt in both judo and Brazilian jujitsu and experience that includes training the British and Russian Olympic judo teams, AurÉlien Broussal-Derval is uniquely qualified to help judokas-from beginners to competitive black belts-develop the balance, coordination, and power needed for success on the mat.