Gi vs No-Gi Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Comprehensive Analysis
The following is adapted from a post by John Danaher, who has a history of competing in both gi and no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
But since my training is 50/50 split between gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu just depending on whatever gym I happen to find and what the coach prioritises), I find that Danaher’s thoughts reflect what I hear and my personal experience.
BJJ enthusiasts often find themselves at a crossroads when deciding between training in a gi (the traditional uniform, also known as the kimono or sometimes just “kim” in other languages) or opting for no-gi sessions. This debate isn’t just a matter of preference; it delves into the core of how we approach the art of grappling, incorporating discussions of takedowns, submissions, and the degree to which art can imitate life.
The debate becomes at times heated and caustic, so I think it’s useful to analyse it. I took Danaher’s post, added more context and references, and also threw some personal experience into the mix.
The Roots of the Gi in Jiu-Jitsu
The jiu-jitsu gi is rooted in the origins of Judo and has evolved through a history of cultural and technical adaptations.
The story of the Jiu-Jitsu gi begins over a century ago in Japan, with Judo founder Kano Jigoro (嘉納 治五郎). Kano designed the gi as a practical training uniform in the late 19th century, inspired by traditional Japanese garments like the kimono.
This original gi uniform was made from heavy cotton to withstand the rigorous throws and grappling techniques of Judo. Other martial arts have throws, too, so other Japanese martial arts conveniently adopted the uniform.
When Mitsuyo Maeda (前田 光世) taught Judo in Brazil to Carlos Gracie and his brothers, Maeda introduced the gi as an integral part of their training. This laid the groundwork for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the gi became synonymous with the practice.
The Gracie family, who helped Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolve into its newaza-focussed current form, adapted the gi to suit their style of grappling. They modified the gi to give it a tighter fit and shorter sleeves, emphasizing close-quarters grappling, submissions, and ground fighting.
These days, the gi has become central to BJJ culture. Clubs and brands modify the gi with embroidery, patches, and logos. Wearing the gi as a uniform symbolizes a connection to the martial art’s historical roots.
Clubs also use the gi to symbolise teams and clubs (who all wear the same gi), discipline (e.g. tying the belts), and aspects of respect, e.g. keeping it clean or only tying your belt at the edge of the mat. These are not universal, but they’re widespread.
But that isn’t to say that training without the gi is devoid of team spirit, discipline, and respect.
The Core Differences: Training Gi vs No-Gi BJJ
To understand the differences between gi and no-gi, it’s interesting to observe the primary changes that occur in training and competition when you take the gi away.
When you strip away the gi, three major changes occur:
- You have reduced friction: Without the gi’s cotton fabric, there’s less drag, altering the dynamics of grappling. Drag with the gi is particularly high as athletes get sweaty. The converse occurs without the gi; in no-gi grappling, sweaty athletes are slipperier.
- Different grips: The absence of a gi means fewer and weaker grip options. The gi provides numerous, more secure ways to grip and control an opponent, whether throwing, sweeping, or choking. You’re allowed to grip the belt of a gi, for example, or to use parts of the gi in grips and chokes. In no-gi, you’re not allowed to grab on to bits of clothing.
- Stranglehold options: Gi jackets, akin to a rope with sleeves, offer numerous stranglehold possibilities. These diminish in no-gi scenarios.
These changes are widely acknowledged, affecting friction, grip strength, and stranglehold techniques.
BJJ Skill Development in Gi vs No Gi
The question is: How does removing or adding the gi affect a BJJ athlete’s skill development?
I’ll consider this primarily from the point of view of the pure jiu-jitsu practitioner — not someone doing a broader fighting sport like mixed martial arts. And I’ll focus on the lower tiers (white belt and blue belt).
There’s an argument (and also counter-arguments, don’t worry) that training in the gi is a better place to start, as a) it forces a match to slow down, and b) puts athletes on the defensive, as there are more ways in which to be strangled (the collar is thick and very easy to grab).
Since the gi’s friction and gripping advantages slow down the action, athletes have more time to think and decide what to do next. This slower pace helps practitioners focus on efficient movements and correct technique. This helps prevent matches from devolving into chaotic scrambles, as often happens in no-gi grappling.
In contrast, no-gi training, with its faster pace and reduced grips, tends to sharpen offensive techniques like submissions and pins. Practitioners learn to use their body geometry more effectively, not relying on the gi’s grips and friction.
Once basic defensive skills are established, transitioning from gi to no-gi training can significantly elevate offensive capabilities. Without the gi’s aids, students must rely on perfect form and body positioning, leading to technically superior offensive manoeuvres.
However, this isn’t to say that students can’t begin to train in no-gi. But it would be best if they’d adopt a gi mindset of keeping a slower pace, focusing on technique and defence. It would however be more up to their training partners to foster this environment.
There are also advantages to starting training without a gi. Primarily, it makes you be more thoughtful of grips, and to not take advantage of huge chunks of material offered to you.
For example, there’s a lot of grip fighting and grip breaking in gi jiu jitsu that is irrelevant in no-gi. Instead, the no-gi practitioner has to get adept at clutching on to things like ankles, wrists, and elbows, and using leverage quickly. These skills translate to gi much more easily than the converse.
There are similar arguments, by the way, in looking at judo-style takedowns (not strictly the Judo ruleset, mind you) vs wrestling-style takedowns. You can use the wrestling ones in gi jiu jitsu, but you can’t use a lot of judo throws that rely on grips in no-gi.
The “Usefulness” Question
Quite often, people tell me that they prefer no-gi because it’s more “realistic”. I suppose they’re imagining getting into street fights and using jiu jitsu against just one assailant.
I’m not a street fighter; in fact, martial arts have given me the confidence to defuse situations rather than cower away or avoid them. But there are lots of accounts online (see r/bjj on reddit, stories by bouncers, usually) of situations that counter this hypothesis. The short answer is that people wear clothes — they just tear. Yes, a “baseball bat choke” is probably hard to execute on a t-shirt, but most basic chokes will work with someone’s t-shirt, hoodie, or jacket.
Another aspect of usefulness is where people often most see grappling — mixed martial arts like the UFC or One Championship.
In those disciplines, nobody wears the gi (they did in the early days, though). So if people have aspirations to fight competitively, they often eschew the kimono.
Cost of Entry
One major obstacle for people entering most sports is the cost of entry. A gi is expensive. I mean, it’s non-trivial. Even a cheap one is the cost of a family pizza dinner — and much more expensive outside places like the US where they’re cheap on Amazon (and where food is expensive). And practitioners often have multiple gis (not me, yet…)
So a compelling argument for people starting in no-gi jiu jitsu is that it’s cheap to start in no gi. All you need is what you’d typically use to go to the gym. Best of all, you don’t even need shoes!
This, alone, is why gyms should offer no-gi jiu jitsu as an entry pathway. If people want to start training in the gi later, they can. But my guess is that many would opt to continue with no-gi training.
Jiu-Jitsu Beyond the Gi
The essence of BJJ lies in controlling the opponent in their entirety, not them without their clothing, nor just their clothing. If you want to be well-rounded, you need to master a wide variety of scenarios. Over-emphasising either mode of training will lead to gaps — but of course, people have very different goals and training styles.
As modern clothing has moved on since 19th-century Japanese kimonos (including in Japan), one could argue that modern no-gi grappling should adapt similarly — should we be training in something that better mimics everyday attire? This could mean training in:
- Shoes (shoes are already common in wrestling, Sambo, and boxing)
- Pants and tops that have grippable material that can’t easily be destroyed, without the high-friction element, nor the threatening rope-like collar of the gi
- Combinations of the above, and other clothing elements.
Ultimately, a comprehensive “realistic” application of Jiu-Jitsu would include training consistently in both gi and no-gi as one sport. But this begs the question of whether “realism” is important in what’s more often a sport than a style of fighting.
Both gi and no-gi Jiu-Jitsu have established sports with their own followings, rule sets (and variations thereof), and aficionados, and there’s no pressing need to create a new martial art that unites them — so long as everyone’s happy with what they’re doing, understands the origins of the gi, and respects what other people choose to do.
