Interested in taking up No Gi BJJ?
Aren’t sure what to wear?
Fear not! This article will run down exactly what wear to No GI BJJ.
But, before we do. As long as you’ve got a pair of shorts and a relatively tight t-shirt, you’re going to be just fine.
Yes, a generic t-shirt may rip and will definitely stretch, however I find it’s best not to overthink these things and just go for it.
With that said, if you want to rock up to your first class fully prepared, let’s take a look at the different pieces of clothing/ gear you could need.
Rash Guard
First up is a rash guard, which as the name suggests, protects your skin from any unwanted bacteria or infections.
Rash guards are a tight fitting t-shirt, either long or short sleeve that are usually made from some form of spandex/ lycra.
Rash guards are often worn underneath the gi as well, as they help to prevent friction burns and add another layer of protection for your skin.
In terms of price, they can vary pretty dramatically. You can find some as cheap $20 and as expensive as $90. That said, I would definitely invest in a rash guard designed specifically for MMA or BJJJ, as they’ll feature reinforced stitching and be able to withstand the demands of practicing a martial art.
See BJJ rash guard here:
Shorts
There’s a couple of different types of shorts that are worn to No Gi BJJ.
First is compression shorts, which much like rash guards, are made from tight fitting spandex. You’ll also come across board style shorts, which are a bit baggier and tend to be the more popular option.
There’s pro’s and con’s to each of these shorts, which I’ll discuss below. Having said that, it’s worth pointing out that people often wear both types of shorts at the same time.
Board Style Shorts
Compression Style Shorts
Compression Shorts:
Pros:
- Less material for opponent/ training partner to maintain a grip
- Compression wear is said to help muscle recovery
- Tend to be cheaper
Cons:
- Doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination
Board Style shorts:
Pros:
- Tend to be a bit comfier
- Covers up more of the body
Cons:
- More fabric for your opponent to hold
- Often can cost more
- Can slip down easier
See best MMA& BJJ shorts here.
Spats
Spats are definitely not necessary, and from what I’ve seen, tend to be worn more by women than men.
Grappling spats are pretty handy though, as they protect your legs from the mat, meaning less mat burns and a reduced risk of picking up any skin infections such as ring worm.
Much like compression shorts, these can be worn under baggier shorts for full leg protection.
See BJJ spats here
Cup
If you’re a man, I can not recommend wearing a cup enough. Although this is a grappling based martial art, limbs can end up where they shouldn’t.
Any array of injuries can happen from taking a knee or blow to the groin area, so it’s always best to play it safe and wear some form of cup or groin guard.
If you think I’m exaggerating, then check out this story about Devin Powell. Poor old Devin suffered a ruptured testicle whilst training with fellow UFC fighter Joe Lauzon.
The good news is that BJJ cups are relatively inexpensive, so there’s really no excuse for not wearing one. Most BJJ shorts also come with a cup pocket, so they’re extremely easy to wear.
See BJJ cups here.
Mouth Guard
If you’re planning on rolling, wearing a mouth guard is massively recommended. Much like wearing a groin guard, you can easily take a rogue elbow to the mouth whilst training.
With that in mind, wearing a mouth guard can help to protect your gums, teeth and tongue from any unwanted damage.
While wearing a mouth guard can be relatively annoying, it’s a lot less annoying than having to make a regular trip to the dentist for fillings.
When looking for a mouth guard, you’ll find a few different types. I’d recommend boil and bite mouth guards or custom mouth guards form your dentist. This is because you want the guard to form around your teeth and be built specifically to fit to your particular mouth shape.
This in turn provides a lot more protection than generic mouth guards that anyone can buy and shove in their mouth. Unfortunately, these will cost more, but when it comes to safety, it’s best to be cautious when possible.
See MMA and BJJ mouth guards here.
Final Thoughts
Well, there we have it. Hopefully by now you’ve got a better understanding of what to wear to No Gi BJJ.
As long as you’re comfortable and safe, there really is no right or wrong. Get yourself a half decent rash guard, a durable pair of shorts and a mouth guard, and you’ll be set.
If you do have any questions, feel free to get in touch via the comment section below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
