Gi or No Gi, That Is the Question

Everyone knows that being physically active is vital for physical health. But for some people, it can be tough to find an enjoyable way to stay active. Jiu-Jitsu can be a perfect option for those seeking to build physical and mental strength and to create some amazing friendships. If you've seen anyone practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you've probably seen people wearing the traditional uniform, also known as a gi. Not everyone wears a gi to practice, though. If you're new to BJJ, you might be wondering if it's better to practice with a gi or without one. Let's take a closer look at both options.

Traditional Jiu-Jitsu

Those who practice traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wear the gi. The material of a BJJ gi is thick and stiff, especially compared to regular street clothes or a karate gi. It must endure the pushing and pulling that happens as you grapple with your opponent. Because of its strength, a BJJ gi is much less likely to rip or tear during practice than the alternatives.  

Additionally, if your opponent is wearing a gi, you will grow stronger as you learn to grab the gi to manipulate your opponent into favorable positions (and even execute some submissions). Your arms and hands will gain grip strength and endurance. 

Conversely, if you are wearing a gi, you'll need to learn to defend yourself from the same kinds of attacks and manipulations. Just as you try to grab your opponent's gi to manipulate their position, they will do the same to you. You will develop a greater awareness of what your opponent is doing and how you can respond. You'll have to sharpen your defensive strategies. While wearing a gi can sometimes make it tougher to defend yourself, doing so will force you to improve quickly and learn to avoid submissions. You'll ultimately become a better practitioner because of it.

Another potential downside to wearing a traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi is that it may slow or restrict your movements. It takes time to get accustomed to moving and grappling in a gi. You have to think more about what you're doing and how you're doing it. But this is a temporary downside; the more you practice, the more you will get used to sparring with a gi.

Sport Jiu-Jitsu

Those who practice sport Jiu-Jitsu don't wear the traditional gi. Instead, they typically wear grappling shorts and a rash guard. In sport Jiu-Jitsu, you don't have the luxury of grabbing an opponent's collar or sleeves to gain control. This creates slight differences in how opponents grapple and execute submissions. Throws and wrestling-style takedowns tend to be more common in this sport as a result. 

Without a gi, you can move faster, but so can your opponent. Part of the reason for that is due to the lack of friction created by the gi. Another part of that is sweat, which decreases friction when grappling and increases speed. Because of the increased speed and power in these kinds of matches, you'll experience a different level of conditioning. This can create additional challenges if you are new to Jiu-Jitsu or have spent more time practicing traditional BJJ. 

So should you practice traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and use a gi, or practice sport Jiu-Jitsu and forgo it? At the end of the day, it's important to practice both. There are valuable skills to be learned from both traditional and sport Jiu-Jitsu. As you work on improving in both styles, you'll find that you become a more well-rounded martial artist and will be better and stronger for it.