No-gi jiu-jitsu drops the jacket and the grips that come with it. The pace is faster, the grips are slipperier and the mat gets warm quickly, so the way you dress and prepare matters more than most beginners expect.
What to wear
A fitted rash guard. Compression fabric keeps skin from rubbing the mat and gives opponents less to grab. Long sleeves protect your forearms and elbows; short sleeves feel cooler in a hot room. Whichever you pick, it should be snug without restricting your shoulders.
Grappling shorts without pockets or zips. Look for a stretch panel at the crotch and a hook-and-loop flap over the drawstring so the waistband stays put. Avoid metal, hard plastic and loose cords, which can catch fingers and toes. You can browse a range of no-gi gear in different cuts and sizes.
Spats under shorts (optional). They add warmth and mat protection and keep shorts from riding up during guard passes.
How to prepare
- Keep nails short and clean, and tie long hair back flat.
- Take off jewellery, including rings, chains and piercings you can remove.
- Arrive ten minutes early and move your hips, shoulders and neck before class begins.
- Bring water, a towel and a spare rash guard if you sweat heavily.
After training
Rinse sweat and mat residue off your skin as soon as you can, then wash your kit in cold water and hang it to dry. Heat from a dryer breaks down the stretch in the fabric. If you want a few shorts to rotate through the week, take a look at these grappling shorts and choose a size from the product page chart.
Start with two or three sessions a week, tap early and keep notes on what you drilled. Comfortable, well-fitting kit won't make you better overnight, but it removes distractions so you can focus on learning.
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