BJJ sport is short for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which is a martial art and combat sport that focuses only on ground fighting. Practice shows that BJJ training can be used in self-defence situations and for sport grappling. Since this popular sport requires physical activity and strength, it’s said that it’s great for improving your weight and immune system, lowering cholesterol levels, increasing endorphin production and so much more. so, if you're new to this sport and you’re just beginning to train BJJ and want to improve your skills, first, you should stock on the right essentials in order to stay prepared.
Essential BJJ Gear
BJJ Apparel
Truth be said, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has lots of clothing options from which you can choose and sometimes, choosing the right apparel can be confusing. Just like everything else, what matters the most is to choose the comfiest BJJ apparel that’s made from high-quality and durable materials to withstand daily wear and tear.
For your first BJJ classes, you should choose athletic clothes that have a tight yet comfortable fit. They’re available in different sizes just like regular clothes which gives you the chance to pick the comfiest size for you. Aside from the regular GI pants, you can also opt to wear athletic shorts, MMA shorts, grappling shorts or sweatpants that have no pockets and zippers on them. This is essential to avoid scratching yourself or your partner, or even damaging the mat on which you exercise. Wearing pocketless bottoms is also essential in order to avoid toes or fingers caught in them in the middle of your fight. Wearing leggings or spats is also an option since they provide greater comfort and skin protection especially when your skin gets in contact with the mat.
When it comes to choosing the right top, ideally, you should opt for a quality rashguard that is designed for running or surfing. However, this sport also allows you to wear any type of shirt you wear when at the gym or when running. When choosing rashguards, you can choose between the long and short-sleeved ones whereas the long-sleeved ones also offer greater skin protection. By covering both your legs and arms fully, you’ll avoid any mat-related diseases, cuts and abrasions.
Regardless of the type of clothing you plan to choose, what matters the most is to choose ones that’ll provide you with the needed comfort, protection and durability for a long period of time.
Protective Gear
Knee Sleeves/Pads
Whether wearing long pants or not, having knee pads is extremely important since knee injuries are quite common in this sport. Knee pads will provide you with the needed protection and support all the time. They differ in padding, material and sizes, so make sure to do thorough research in order to make the right choice.
Mouthguards
These pieces of gear are also important since they can help you absorb accidental impacts that can happen during normal training. In other words, mouthguards are perfect for preventing teeth chipping during fights but they can also protect you from some more severe dental issues.
Groin Protectors
Hits and accidental slipping during grappling can end up by receiving hits in the groin area which can be extremely painful. However, despite from these chances, not all people who train BJJ decide to wear these protectors since they can be quite uncomfortable when training. So, if possible, first try this gear and if feeling comfortable, then you can buy it.
Headgear
Having a cauliflower ear during these fights is quite common, and while professional fighters consider this as a status symbol, hobbyists don’t like the idea of having an ear like that. So, it would be better if you protect yourself by wearing a headgear which aside from ear protection can also provide you with head protection.
If you’re serious about this type of sport, then investing in the right type of clothing and gear is paramount for staying safe, protected and comfortable while training. Truth be told, you really can’t go wrong by showing up at your first class wearing the right type of clothes and gear. In fact, this will only help you show how serious you’re about BJJ training. And if you don’t like the idea of investing in everything, aside from the right clothing, you should at least invest in a good piece of mouthguard to protect your mouth and teeth from getting injured. Regardless of the type of clothes you choose and regardless of the type of protective gear you plan to invest in, what matters the most is investing in ones that come from trusted and reliable manufacturers. This is the only way to be sure that you’ll receive the best of both worlds – quality and comfiness for a long period of time.
