• Tweet
• Pin It

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that is widely practiced in the world. Over the years, this sport became one of the most popular self-defense exercises. By practicing this discipline, you might increase your safety.

It’s important to realize that learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn’t going to give you the ability to hold your own against a stronger opponent. You also won’t learn to defend yourself aggressively. The training techniques are purely defensive and shouldn’t be used in any other way.

A brief history of this gentle art is explained in this link: https://www.graciemag.com/en/the-saga-of-jiu-jitsu/

When you’re taking up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of the first things to consider is the equipment. You don’t need any particular gear in some cases – you can exercise in everyday clothing, like shorts and shirts. But if you want to turn pro one day or feel more comfortable when wearing sports equipment, you should look for a kimono, or in the BJJ’s slang, Gi.

Importance of Gi

The Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Gi is modified from the traditional Kodokan judo in Japanese martial arts. This uniform is designed to provide maximum support for the wearer, with emphasis on being as light as possible. It’s a two-part outfit (jacket and trousers), made of thick, heavy fabric. Gi is reinforced with a thick drawstring waist belt.

The purpose of Gi is not just to look professional. Unlike some other sports, the uniforms worn by BJJ fighters have a direct impact on their performance. They wear or don’t wear kimonos, which determine two categories of Jiu-Jitsu – Gi and No-Gi.

As you can tell by the name, the fighters don’t have the uniform in the No-Gi category. Gi players wear kimonos, which are used to knock the opponent down (no kicks and punches are allowed). A good BJJ fighter will know how to use the opponent’s uniform against them (knocking down by grabbing a kimono). This style is not present in the No-Gi category, but it doesn’t diminish its complexity.

To be good at BJJ, you need to train in both categories. The best fighters suggest starting without a kimono to master the basics of this sport and then move on to the Gi category. Wearing a uniform slightly ‘hinders’ movement. For absolute beginners, this category can be too difficult. But once you master this martial art, you will know how to control your opponent by holding them for the cuffs or sleeves.

Where to Look for Gis

You can find many types of Gis on the market. Basically, there are two options to get this uniform – online or in-store. Both shopping methods can be great choices, but you should know that both of them have good and bad sides.

Among BJJ practitioners, there is often a dilemma of buying a kimono at a specialty store or online. Most would probably opt for the first option, but not everyone has a sports shop in the neighborhood. Even if you have a retail store nearby, they may not have a wide choice of Gis.

On the Internet, the offer of sports equipment is greater. Most reputable brands have their online sales, so buying BJJ equipment this way is safe. You just have to avoid websites that don’ look reliably or don’t contain any data that can be used to verify their authenticity.

Buying online has many benefits, but it’s always best to try on a kimono before buying. If you are not able to do that, make sure to take the right measures when ordering Gi online. A kimono that doesn’t fit you well is not only uncomfortable but also affects your performance.

Set Budget

They are available in different colors, sizes, fabrics, and designs, which largely determines their price. That might look confusing, as a price range varies depending on both brand and quality. You can get the best kimono at a reasonable price if you know what you need and where to look for it. But it’s advisable first to determine how much money you will spend on the purchase.

Find Your Fit

The first thing you should have in mind when choosing Gi is your comfort. Regardless of its tight cut, your uniform should be light and provide ease of motion. It’s of utmost importance to determine the right kimono size to get a balanced fit.

The best way to do this is to know your body measurements and add 2 centimeters to them (except for the sleeves). As this MMA Sentinel buyer’s guide explains, neither your pants nor your jacket should be tight. For the upper part, the most important measure is the torso volume. A uniform that is tight in that part can cause discomfort.

As for pants, the most important thing is to know that they don’t fit like the pants you wear every day. The pair of pants shouldn’t be tight or too loose, but there should be enough material for grabbing onto. You must have freedom of movement of the knees and hips. Loose trouser legs will make you clumsy, and your movements won’t have sharpness and speed.

Color (Doesn’t) Matter

If you are planning to compete, you should know that only white, black, and blue Gis are available. White plays a role in the Jiu-Jitsu tradition and represents the purity of one who wears a kimono; blue and black express power. But, more important is the color of the belt, which will change depending on your BJJ skill levels.

But if you do this sport as an amateur, Gi color is not too important. You have freedom of choice; you can even come across models in different combinations. There are various colors to choose from, such as white, black, blue, red, and even purple. The different colors all represent different elements of the Gi. The only rule to adhere to is that the kimono’s top and bottom must be the same color.

Know the Weave Differences

It may seem unimportant to you, but the weave type of your Gi means a lot when fighting. That’s another way to differentiate BJJ kimonos, and it is made based on the density of the tissue. The thicker the weave is, the heavier the Gi, and the harder it is to grip.

Single weaves make breathable Gis, suitable for use at high temperatures in non-air-conditioned rooms. They are great for BJJ first-timers because they are soft and light, allow freedom of movement, and are affordable. But due to the thinness of the fabric, it tears up pretty fast. Also, their disadvantage is shrinkage when washing.

More durable (and harder) are Gis made of the double and gold weave. Double weave is quite long-lasting but also quite expensive. Professional fighters mostly use these uniforms. Pearl weave represents the optimal balance between single and double weave in weight, durability, ease of maintenance, and price. Some washing tips find on this link.

There are many different variations of BJJ, but the basis is the same – there’s a person who is in a submissive position trying to escape from another person attacking. This discipline focuses on the points of support, body shape, and a variety of techniques. Choose the appropriate Gi to move smoother and perform better.

• Tweet
• Pin It