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What do I wear to my first jiu-jitsu class?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 21, 2026

For your first BJJ class, wear a t-shirt and shorts with no zips and preferably no pockets; your instructor will likely have a Gi for you to wear. For No-Gi, you should wear a rash guard, spats, and Jiu-Jitsu shorts. Under your Gi, you can wear a rash guard, spats, or shorts; the same as in No-Gi.

What do you wear to Jiu-Jitsu practice?

Board shorts and a t-shirt or a surf rash guard will usually be ok. However, if you decide that BJJ is something you want to do and you decide to keep training then you will need to buy a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi . It's important not to try and avoid wearing anything with pockets, belt loops or baggy fabrics.

What do girls wear to Jiu-Jitsu?

Wear clean jiu-jitsu apparel or a clean gi and keep your hair tied back. If you don't have a gi (or no-gi gear) for your first session, don't stress. For now, stick to workout apparel like a microfiber t-shirt and leggings.

What do you wear to first no-gi BJJ?

The Basics: No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

For No-Gi BJJ, you will need Grappling Shorts and a Rash Guard. Sometimes you can get away with wearing Gi Pants instead of Fight Shorts, or a t-shirt instead of a rash guard, but this is not recommended for reasons we discuss below.

Is Jiu-Jitsu hard for beginners?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is difficult to learn for beginners because it is a very different type of martial art. It is also a combat sport, which will be uncomfortable at first if you're not used to it.

30 related questions found

How do I practice Jiu-Jitsu alone?

You can drill in BJJ alone by focusing on fundamental movements such as hip escapes, bridging, forward and backward rolling over each shoulder, and the Gracie stand up. Doing these alone will build up more strength for the movements and give you an edge when you return to partner sparring.

Can jujitsu be self taught?

The most important thing you can do to learn BJJ at home by yourself is to study techniques. Jiu-Jitsu has the widest and deepest curriculum of any martial art. Understanding the various positions, transitions, defenses, counters, and submissions is crucial for developing and refining your game.

Should I wear a rashguard under my gi?

Whether you train with or without a gi, you will need to have a good rash guard. Your rash guard goes under your gi, and it helps protect your skin from scrapes and skin burns. A rash guard also keeps your body warm and helps your muscles stay supple while grappling.

Do you need a cup for Jiu Jitsu?

Wearing a cup during jiu jitsu competitions is illegal. This is principally because that bit of hard plastic can cause some serious damage to a person's elbow or spinal column with enough applied pressure. If you can't wear it during competition, why wear it when you're training for a competition?

Should you wear a groin guard for BJJ?

Should you wear a groin guard for BJJ? The short answer is no, you should not use a groin guard for BJJ training. It's understandable to wear a cup for something like MMA training, where there are strikes, but not really needed for BJJ. Accidents can happen, but they are few and far between in BJJ training.

Can you wear leggings to jiu-jitsu?

Many grapplers - mostly women, but some men, too... we don't judge - opt to wear "spats" instead. These are basically athletic leggings, typically made from a spandex and polyester mix fabric, that were designed to withstand the rigors of jiu-jitsu training.

What should I wear if I don't have a GI?

You can wear drawstring-tied shorts or legging-style (tight-fitting elastic) pants. On top, you should wear a rash guard (long or short sleeved) or a tight-fitting T-shirt. Women should wear a secure sports bra.

What should I wear self defense class?

This includes athletic type shoes, shirts with sleeves. No tank tops. Shorts or athletic pants are acceptable but most students find pants to be most comfortable. Jewelery should not be worn to class as it can cause injury or damage to the training gear.

Do you need a GI for first BJJ class?

You usually don't need to own a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi for your first class. T-shirts, board shorts and sweat pants are all fine. Sometimes you can wear a gi or uniform from another martial art (ask the instructor about this issue). You will need to buy a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi if you continue training.

Can you wear whoop during BJJ?

Can You Wear WHOOP During BJJ? You can wear a WHOOP during BJJ using an Any-Wear™ Arm Sleeve or other compatible Any-Wear™ wearables for the WHOOP 4.0 or a WHOOP Upper Arm Sleeve for the WHOOP 3.0. The device can be removed from the band and added to a wearable to track activity during BJJ.

Do you wear clothes under your GI?

At the academy:

Yes, you need to wear underwear under your gi pants. Under no circumstances should you be going commando. Many jiu-jitsu players prefer compression underwear as they tend to more comfortable, stay in place, and do not soak up as much sweat.

Do you wear a mouthguard in BJJ?

A mouth guard is one of the most common pieces of protective gear in any sport. Jiu-Jitsu students generally wear mouth guards as a personal preference. Discomfort and restriction of breathing are usually the primary reasons students choose to go without one.

Do they wear cups in UFC?

Many people believe the fighters in MMA use nothing but a pair of shorts while fighting, but it turns out that they often wear protective cups on their groin and lower abdomen. Every fighter wears a cup under their shorts in order to protect against serious injury down below!

Do you wear a cup in wrestling?

Wrestlers don't wear cups under their singlets unless they're built into a jockstrap, compression shorts, or other protective gear expressly allowed in wrestling bouts. In some cases, male wrestlers can wear a t-shirt under their singlets, while women wrestlers can wear sports bras underneath.

How tight should BJJ spats be?

But how tight is tight? It should be form fitting and you should feel a small degree of compression. The garment will gently squeeze you and slightly increase the blood flow initially so it feels like you're getting a nice all over hug.

What is no gi BJJ?

In No Gi Jiu-Jitsu, you don't wear the traditional uniform. Instead, you wear shorts and a t-shirt or rash guard. In the No Gi form of BJJ, you can't grab your opponent's clothing to increase leverage. To be a complete Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player, you should train in both Gi and No Gi.

Is a rash guard the same as a compression shirt?

Rash Guard vs. compression shirt – what's the difference? Compression garments support muscles and increase blood flow, which may improve athletic performance. Rash guards typically have a more relaxed fit and are made to protect the skin from the sun, sand or even a surfboard.

How long does jiu-jitsu take to learn?

Earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an extremely difficult task, which requires years of hard work, discipline, and dedication. On average it takes someone anywhere from 10 to 15 years to earn a black belt in BJJ. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule.

Are BJJ dummies worth it?

The answer is yes, as the dummies can easily be used for takedowns and throws when a live human opponent is unable during training, especially for techniques involving submission. Other than that, the grappling dummies are designed to help move better on the ground and help enhance and sharpen efficiency.

How do I start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

The best way to learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu is to take classes at a reputable training school so that an experienced instructor can show you proper form and technique. If you aren't able to take classes, you could learn the basic movements from handbooks or video tutorials.