Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a traditional and largely appraised form of martial arts fighting. Health and fitness athletes use this sport to build discipline, core strength, endurance, and reducing stress. Unlike other types of fighting and martial arts forms Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ has many different disciplines of fighting.
Difference between the gi and no-gi BJJ
Specifically speaking there are two main forms of BJJ one is ‘gi’ BJJ and the second is ‘no gi’ BJJ. Both disciplines of BJJ fighting are extremely healthy for athletes and are a bit different in nature. The main distinctness between both of these form includes that the ‘gi’ form of BJJ lets you grab the clothing of your opponent to deliver a stance. And gi form BJJ usually involves wearing a traditional uniform.
While on the flip side ‘no gi’ BJJ does not require you to wear a traditional uniform rather it involves wearing special no-gi BJJ rash guards and no-gi BJJ shorts as a uniform. And in no-gi BJJ you cannot grab the clothing of your opponent to deliver a stance.
Both types of BJJ forms are also different in techniques and workout regiments as the Gi form of BJJ involves grappling, tackling, and overpowering, while the no-gi form involves techniques like brabo chokes, guillotines, foot locks, and submissions.
BJJ is an extremely healthy sport in which women and kids also take interests. BJJ workouts and techniques are specifically designed to provide both physical and mental health benefits to fitness enthusiasts. Due to which BJJ classes, fighting sessions, courses, and programs are being offered by thousands of health experts all over the globe.
Apart from the techniques and rules of both gi and no-gi BJJ, there are also differences in uniforms in these disciplines. As both gi and no-gi forms of BJJ martial arts require you to wear different athletic uniforms to abide by the sport rules. In the Gi BJJ, you can wear a traditional martial arts uniform but for no-gi BJJ you will need a special no-gi BJJ outfit.
Selecting the right No-gi BJJ outfit
Like any other martial arts or fighting disciplines, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu requires you to wear proper athletic outfits. The reason behind wearing proper BJJ fighting outfits is that these types of sports need you to move freely and comfortably so that you can effectively complete training sessions and workout routines. You cannot wear your skin tight jeans and Nike sneakers to a no-gi BJJ session. In order to move effectively and take part in the exercises, you will need proper no-gi BJJ workout apparel.
Before taking part in any BJJ session you will need two essential pieces of apparel.
No-gi BJJ rash guards
The concept of wearing no-gi rash guards is relatively new as compared to the no-gi art of BJJ fighting. The no-gi form of BJJ has been around since the early ’90s and over the years there have been rapid developments and high adoption of this BJJ form.
Now you will see a large number of people from different backgrounds and fields that are interested in this sport and are taking part in the sessions and programs of both Gi and No-gi BJJ. And the concept of wearing no-gi special BJJ rashguards is on the increase as no-gi rash guards are also available for women and kids who are interested in this sport.
The concept of wearing no-gi rash guards for no-gi BJJ training was derived from the strong Brazilian culture of wearing swimming and surfing rash guards. As the Brazilian fighting art of Jiu-Jitsu continued to grew in reputation due to its plethora of health and fitness benefits the development and use of special no-gi BJJ rash guards were first introduced in the early 2000s. And now it has been made a mandatory piece of apparel and is considered a part of no-gi BJJ uniform because without it you cannot participate in no-gi BJJ training sessions or classes. There are however both pros and cons of no-gi BJJ rashguards that we would love to share with you.
Pros
• Very lightweight
• Highly comfortable
• Increase mobility
• Can be naturally antibacterial and water wicking
Cons
• Tend to get shrink if you put them in a dryer
No-gi BJJ shorts
As mentioned above a no-gi BJJ training session involves no grappling and grabbing of cloths of the opponent. And as traditional Gi uniforms are easy to grab by the opponent no-gi BJJ training sessions will require you to wear a no-gi rash guard and a no-gi short. These no-gi BJJ outfit apparels are precisely designed to be skin tight and slippery so that opponents cannot grab the clothing and compete only on the basis of techniques and skills.
Wearing no-gi shorts are an essential part of no-gi BJJ training. Without wearing a No-gi short your uniform for no-gi BJJ class or sessions will not be complete.
Health and fitness athletes and BJJ coaches take it very seriously to impose rules of wearing proper BJJ gear for their BJJ trainees. And many fitness centers offering BJJ courses or programs will not permit you to enter the ring or class without wearing the proper no-gi apparel. Because not only it goes against the decorum of the sports but can also seriously hinder your ability to perform in the workout exercises and sessions.
In order to refrain from any limited physical capacity as per no cloth grabbing rules of no-gi BJJ, it will be essential for you to wear the no-gi BJJ apparel. Wearing BJJ shorts and rash guards for women and kids are also made mandatory as per the requirements of the no-gi discipline. There are also some other no-gi gear items including no-gi BJJ pants, shirts, tank tops, spats and so on that are not mandatory to wear for no-gi BJJ. But wearing a no-gi rash guard and a no-gi short is important.
Here are our compiled pros and cons of wearing a no-gi BJJ short.
Pros:
• High durability
• Quick to dry
• Lightweight
• Increases mobility
• Can prevent matt burns and infections
Cons:
• Prices may put some fitness enthusiasts off
BJJ is a very appraised form of martial arts and has multiple forms or disciplines, interested athletes master its all forms like gi and no-gi to become the BJJ fighter in the real terms. In every sport or fighting discipline wearing proper uniforms or attire is an essential part of the sport. Every sport has its own uniforms or athletic apparel that is designed to be used in that particular sport, for instance, swimming sports require you to wear a swimsuit, boxing requires you to wear gloves and BJJ is no different. Different forms of BJJ requires you to wear different apparel that is specifically designed for that particular discipline.
Wearing proper apparel not only increases the results and health benefits of the sport but also protects you from any infectious diseases like ringworms and staph.
If you are a fitness enthusiast and are interested in learning the art of no-gi BJJ or want to become a professional BJJ fighter or a coach it is important that you respect the rules, techniques, and teachings of the sport by wearing proper no-gi BJJ attire.