What Are the Benefits of Training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gis?
Jiu Jitsu Gis, or more precisely Jiu Jitsu kimonos in order to simplify things when it comes to their description, are essential for all fighters who are interested in participating in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or any other martial art for that matter.
As newcomers to a particular sport, wearing a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi allows them to practice the fundamental movements of the sport as well as forcing practitioners to refine and adapt their defensive skills in order to keep up with the current trends within the sport. A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi adds an increased level of friction to moves such as escapes that are trained in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu uniform. This makes them that much more challenging to execute.
The transition from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi to no-gi training has a multitude of benefits for those who decide to switch. Some of the most respected MMA schools, such as the American Kick boxing Academy, require their fighters to train in gis on a regular basis. This is part of their training program. The reason for this is that specific Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training exercises performed in the gi (such as escaping a dominant position and maintaining posture in the guard) will benefit fighters when they switch to training without the gi, since the same exercises should become less challenging to them when they switch to training without a uniform.
