How To Find The Perfect GI For BJJ In 9 Easy Steps
Brazilian JiuJitsu has increased in popularity, and so has the amount of BJJ gis available.
Choosing the one for you can be quite an overwhelming experience, as there are several factors to consider before purchasing one, such as material, style, fit, and many others.
This article will go over a few things to consider when looking to purchase a gi for Brazilian JiuJitsu.
What Is A Gi?
A gi is a traditional uniform one wears when training in Brazilian JiuJitsu. There are two versions of this martial art style. Gi JiuJitsu, and No Gi JiuJitsu.
Gi JiuJitsu is when those participating wear the traditional uniform and are able to grapple by grabbing onto their opponent’s clothing.
No-Gi JiuJitsu involves wearing shorts and a rash guard, and opponents are not allowed to grapple by grabbing each other’s clothing.
International Brazilian JiuJitsu Federation (IBJJF) Requirements
The IBJJF is the competition organization for the Brazilian JiuJitsu, and they set specific requirements for how gi’s should fit.
Some of these include the top of the gi needing to reach the person’s thigh, and the pants should not reach higher than 5 cm above the ankle bone.
Likewise, the sleeves of the gi should not be more than 5 cm away from the person’s wrist.
All gis you will find adhere to these guidelines, but it is important to keep note of them when it comes to buying your own one.
How To Find The Perfect Gi
We will now be discussing how you can find the perfect gi for you in a few simple steps.
Cut And Fit
Ensuring you are comfortable in your gi is the most important thing to consider when you are purchasing one.
You want as much maneuverability as possible, and if your gi fits you too tightly in certain areas, you’ll find that you can’t perform properly.
If your gi is too short in the sleeve and pants area, it may give you an unfair advantage over your opponent, as they will find it harder to grab you.
Similarly, if your gi is too baggy, it will make it even easier for your opponent to grab onto you, giving them the advantage.
Therefore, you need a gi that fits your form, but isn’t too baggy and allows you to move around freely and comfortably.
Durability And Weight
The weight of the gi will determine how durable it is, and this will depend on the type of weave used to make it.
Single weave gis are lighter in weight, but will be less durable.
However, they can be more breathable and are less expensive, so those with a single weave would be best for those who are new to the sport and don’t want to invest too much money into it just yet.
Double weaves are much thicker and heavier and may make it hard for your opponent to grip you while fighting.
Due to their thickness, they don’t allow your skin to breathe much, and this type of gi may actually slow you down, making it difficult to move around freely.
Despite this, they are very durable and will last you for years to come. They are on the pricey side, however, so gis with a double weave may be best for those who are more experienced in the sport.
Pearl weaves are also very popular when it comes to the material of a gi, and they are usually soft and light.
You may find some that are heavier than others, but they tend to be very durable, with many gis on the market using this weave.
Design
Gis come in all kinds of designs, and knowing what kind you are after is crucial. You can find some that are completely plain or some that have all kinds of designs and patches on them.
There are an array of different brands on the market, so it would be useful to have a browse and look around to see what kind of design you’d like to wear.
You can even opt for a plain gi and bling it out yourself by adding all kinds of patches to it. The important thing to remember here is to not forget about comfort just because you like a specific design.
You should also note that some gyms may not like you wearing patches from other gyms on your gi. It is always best to ask about this beforehand.
Budget
You need to decide on a budget when it comes to buying your own gi. Is your budget low when it comes to buying one, or are you willing to fork out more money in order to buy one that will last you longer?
This is ultimately down to personal preference. Perhaps those who are only starting out in their BJJ journey would prefer opting for a cheaper option.
However, if you’ve been training in this martial art for some time, it may be worth spending a little more and getting yourself an excellent, durable gi.
Think About Competitions
If you’re looking to compete, there are certain guidelines you need to follow when it comes to your gi. If you are competing, your gi must be in the colors white, blue, or black.
Therefore, you can either have a separate gi for when you are training, and another one for competing, or you can use the same one for training and competitions.
The benefit of this last point is that you will be fully comfortable when it comes to competitions, as you are used to training in that particular gi.
However, if you really care about the design and want a very specific gi, you may prefer having separate ones.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are a few factors to take into consideration when it comes to finding the right gi for you, but the most important one would be comfort.
If you are comfortable in your training gear, you will be able to perform to the best of your standards.
