Essential BJJ Grappling - No-Gi Gear for Beginners

Essential BJJ No-Gi Gear for Beginners

In the past Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was mainly practiced in the gi, a traditional kimono-like garment with which BJJ practitioners threw, controlled, and strangled each other. However, recently there has been a huge surge in the popularity of no-gi BJJ. No-gi BJJ, sometimes referred to simply as submission grappling, uses very similar rules but ditches the BJJ gi in favor of sleek, form fitting athletic gear.

BJJ no-gi gear was once quite simple: BJJ gi pants and an old t-shirt - but as the sport has evolved so has its garb. Today BJJ no-gi gear is just as specialized as its gi-based counterparts. Keep reading to learn what BJJ no-gi gear you’ll need to get started!

BJJ No-Gi Gear: a Historical Overview

It is easy to forget how new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu really is - particularly in light of its explosive growth since the early 1990s. BJJ was invented in Brazil during the 1920s, created out of the unique combination of Brazil’s tradition of luta livre and imported Japanese judo. From its earliest days BJJ practitioners fought in the judogi, while luta livre fighters fought bare chested, wearing only tight fitting shorts.

Despite the fact that BJJ and luta livre were essentially identical except for the gi, the two arts considered themselves at odds with one another. There were occasional high profile matches between the masters of each art, with jiujiteros bravely going bare chested into combat with their no-gi foes, but in general the two arts remained solidly divided.

This divide was reinforced during the 1990s when BJJ became a household name due to the fantastic success it enjoyed during the early days of the UFC. Royce Gracie dominated the first several UFCs while wearing a BJJ gi - besting larger opponents who went into the ring wearing only pants or shorts.

During this time BJJ gyms would have the occasional no-gi class, but the gi was king. Only once the Abu Dhabi Combat Club no-gi competition emerged in 1998 was no-gi really taken seriously.

BJJ no-gi gear at the time reflected its status as a sub-class of BJJ, rather than as a standalone sport. It wasn’t uncommon for people to sport gi pants and an old t-shirt, or in some gyms just gi pants and a lot of visible chest hair. During these early days many coaches required their students to wear their belts over their gi pants, lest the strict hierarchy of the gi system be so easily forgotten.

As time progressed the gi pants and belt were dropped in favor of the board shorts commonly worn by surfers. Oftentimes these shorts came with pockets which had to be sewn shut, or included metal buttons which were a constant source of irritation - but they were undeniably sleeker than baggy BJJ gi pants!

The Modern Versions of BJJ No-Gi Gear

A lot has changed since those early days, and now no-gi is the fastest growing part of the sport. Heel hooks have been codified, big name no-gi competitions are handing out serious cash prizes to professional athletes, and no-gi gear is no longer the same as just taking off your gi top.

BJJ Rash Guards / Compression Tops

Wearing a t-shirt to a no-gi class just isn’t comfortable. They bunch up, chafe, and instead of wicking sweat it just sticks to you like a wet towel. Thankfully this discomfort is a thing of the past and now no-gi athletes wear synthetic compression tops which are commonly referred to as rash guards.

Rash guards keep you cool by wicking sweat away from your skin, while protecting you from friction burns and errant finger-nail scratches. Compression gear has been shown to reduce the chance of muscular injury as well - and may even help to increase athletic performance.

HabrokSports offers eye-catching rash guard designs like this Celtic rash guard, or the sleek Pugnator 2.0 compression top.

BJJ Spats / Compression Pants

When it comes to BJJ no-gi gear for the lower body you’ve got options: spats alone, no-gi shorts alone, or no-gi shorts over spats. The choice ultimately is a personal one and will depend on the kind of look you’re comfortable with.

Spats, or compression pants, are basically the exact same as rash guards, except for your lower body. They offer the same compressive performance benefits as well as protection from abrasion and scratches.

The Pugnator series compression pants offer a great fit, sweat wicking, and long-lasting durability and are a great option for anyone looking to start their no-gi BJJ journey.

BJJ No-Gi Shorts

The surf board shorts of yesteryear have been replaced with purpose-built grappling shorts. No-gi shorts today resemble the board shorts they are based on, but no longer do you have to settle for metal eyelets or hastily sewn pockets.

If you’re looking for a complete ensemble, try pairing the Celtic rashguard with its matched pair of grappling shorts. Alternatively, the Transform 2.0 no-gi shorts offer elegant simplicity.

Other Essential Gear

Beyond your rash guard and shorts, there are a few basic pieces of BJJ gear that are essential.

BJJ Bag

Get yourself a good exercise bag to keep everything in, as you’ll find that reusable grocery bags just don’t cut it. Look for a bag with a wide opening and a few different compartments so you can keep your small items and clean clothes separated from your BJJ no-gi gear and gi.

Mouthguard

You can train without a mouthguard, but these are cheap insurance against serious dental bills! Boil-and-bite models allow you to get a good fit at home, although for the best fit you’ll want to have your dentist custom make you one.

Water bottle

It isn’t uncommon to lose over 2 liters of water to sweat during a training session - and heavy sweaters may find themselves losing even more! Bring a water bottle so you can stave off dehydration while on the mat. Don’t get anything smaller than a liter (32 ounces) or you’ll find that your bottle is out before your thirst is quenched.

Electrolytes

While replacing lost fluids with water is better than nothing, the reality is that when you sweat you’re also losing valuable salts and minerals. Rehydrating with water alone can’t replace these electrolytes, so for the best athletic results you’ll want to add an electrolyte supplement like Habrok’s Electrolytes Plus Vitamin C. Available in three tasty flavors, this electrolyte supplement will prevent cramps and help you feel better after marathon rolling sessions.

The Dark Horse of BJJ No-Gi Gear

The rift between gi and no-gi has existed since before no-gi was even considered a part of BJJ. However, if you truly want to excel at BJJ you can’t only train one way. Whether you practice gi, or no-gi, doing the other will complement your training and improve your skills more quickly.

Thus, a strong argument can be made for a BJJ gi being an essential part of your no-gi gear! Even if you’re committed to the no-gi lifestyle, occasionally training in the gi will let you build grip strength, and get a slightly slower, more precise perspective on your game.

The best part is, nowadays BJJ gis don’t have to be boring; the Habrok Celtic Warrior gi will let you bring your no-gi sense of style to the gi class!

Ready to Roll