Whilst a veteran practitioner may take this for granted, if you’re completely new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu then you may not know where to start. In short, there are a few key things needed to have when starting BJJ. Thankfully most of these items aren’t too expensive or large in size. They are also mostly common-sense, but to avoid being caught out it may be wise to read this list as a helpful reminder if you’re just starting training in BJJ.
Table of Contents
1. Gi
If you don’t own a Gi, then often you can borrow one from most gyms. As a newcomer, this should be free but some places charge. To avoid disappointment, it may be best to message the gym before training to enquire about their Gi policy. Often, gyms will let you loan a Gi for a couple of trial sessions. It’s then up to you as to whether you want to buy a Gi and commit to more long-term training. Sometimes, Gi’s can be expensive so it’s good to make sure you’re serious about learning before making the financial investment into the uniform.
2. Rashguard and shorts
If you’re not interested in training in the Gi, then Nogi is often a cheaper option. Again, you will need to enquire about this with the gym before turning up. Some gyms have a uniform policy where you cannot train without their branded clothing. Again, you may need to loan a rashguard if this is the case. However, if the uniform policy is relaxed then you can often turn up in basic shorts and a t-shirt. If you are serious about training, then there are a number of budget rashguards which can cost as little as $10 – so money isn’t a massive issue here.
3. A towel and shower gel
Training can get intense and lead to sweat and body odours. Especially if you’ve got a long drive or shift at work after training – you may need to shower afterwards. Most gyms are equipped with showers these days so this shouldn’t be a problem. The last thing you want to do is sweat and have to walk around with it on your body for hours afterwards, so bringing a towel and shower gel is very important. Not only this but showering as quickly as possible can destroy viruses like ringworm and staph if caught early.
4. Gym bag
This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many new students don’t bring a big enough bag. Remember if you’re carrying a Gi and various other items such as a towel then you will need a gym bag to carry everything. Thankfully these are relatively cheap and are a staple of most long-term practitioners gym equipment.
5. Water
Bringing a water bottle is possibly the most important thing to do when training. It is essential to stay hydrated to maintain a healthy body whilst training. If the worst happens and you do happen to forget your water bottle, then ask a training partner for some water or ask at reception. If you are denied water then it is a massive red flag from the gym.
6. Tape
Tape is another old-school accessory used by veteran practitioners. In brief, you will bleed at times whilst doing BJJ. Mostly, this won’t be anything major but small cuts and grazes do occur. It is good etiquette to cover these cuts to stop the bleeding onto others and also your clothing. Tape is cheap and convenient to carry.
7. Mouth guard
Although optional, a lot of people fear for their teeth getting hit whilst sparring. This is quite a rare occurrence but does happen and getting chipped teeth can result from this. If you are paranoid about damaging your teeth then a simple mouth guard can do the trick. Remember, you don’t need to wear this at all times and should only wear it whilst sparring to protect from any knocks. This Venum mouth guard is particularly good value and very sturdy.
8. Food
This depends on your set up and whether you live locally. However, if you do train and burn a number of calories, then it’s wise to replenish with food. Whether it’s a protein shake, banana or something more filling – it’s up to you. Whilst water is probably more important for obvious reasons, you will probably feel hungry after training and it may be surprising just how tiresome BJJ can be.
9. A change in underwear
If you turn up and train with a rashguard and Gi, you can still wear your regular clothes afterwards that you entered the gym in. However, the chances are you trained in the same underwear. As BJJ is a sweaty activity, you don’t want to keep the same underwear on as it is unhygienic especially if you’re heading straight to work afterwards. Because of this, a change in underwear is needed, but not socks as you do not train in socks.
10. Basic hygiene
This should be done before entering the gym, but it is disrespectful to your partners if you walk in already smelling of body odour due to not washing. Obviously everyone will sweat you may be a bit smelly later on which is fine, but there’s no excuse to begin training without a wash. Similarly, make sure your hands and toenails are trimmed before sparring. No one wants to get cut due to getting scratched by overgrown nails.
11. A good attitude
Although this sounds a little cheesy, this is arguably the most important quality on the list. Without a good attitude and willingness to learn, you probably won’t enjoy BJJ. Sometimes you can get arrogant newcomers who pretend they know more than they do. This won’t go down well with others and simply turning up with a positive mentality is all that is needed. Even senior BJJ practitioners should always remember to keep their egos in check.
Optional extras
These aren’t essential but you may find these helpful in aiding you through your first class.
1. Head gear: Head gear can protect against cauliflower ear. Whilst it’s highly unlikely you will get cauliflower ear in the first few months of training, it may be something to consider if the prospect scares you.
2. Sandals: More of a BJJ fashion statement, sandals are often used when walking around the gym for comfort. These let your feet breath and are handy if you need to get something off the mat.
3. Knee pads: If you have bad knees then these are good in protecting them from further damage. These can be picked up for cheap and offer support whilst training.
4. Muscle gel or muscle tape: This is useful to avoid inflammation and can be applied either before or after class.
5. Notepad: For some new students, it’s important to note down ideas whilst they’re fresh in your head. You can do this in your car after training to try and retain the knowledge learned from the class. Alternatively, you can write it down on your phone
