One of the first decisions new students encounter in Brazilian jiu jitsu is whether to train in a gi (the traditional uniform) or without one — commonly called "no-gi" or submission grappling. If you've looked into BJJ and found yourself confused by this distinction, here's everything you need to know.
What Is the Gi?
The gi (also called a kimono) is the traditional BJJ uniform: a heavy cotton jacket, pants, and a belt that indicates your rank. When you train in a gi, you and your partner can grip the fabric — the collar, sleeves, and pants — as part of your technique. These grips open up an enormous range of controls, sweeps, and submissions that are unique to gi grappling.
What Is No-Gi?
No-gi training is done in athletic shorts and a rash guard or fitted shirt. There is no fabric to grip, which means you must rely entirely on body contact — gripping limbs, necks, and joints directly. No-gi tends to be faster-paced because the lack of friction makes movement quicker and escapes easier.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Pace: No-gi is generally faster. Gi grappling can be slower and more methodical.
- Grip game: Gi has a rich, complex grip system. No-gi relies on body locks, wrist control, and underhooks.
- Submissions: Many gi-specific chokes (collar chokes, lapel attacks) don't exist in no-gi. No-gi tends to emphasize leg locks more heavily.
- Sweating: No-gi is typically hotter and more physically demanding due to the pace and contact.
- Sport crossover: No-gi BJJ overlaps significantly with wrestling and MMA grappling.
The Case for Starting in the Gi
The traditional recommendation — and still the most widely held view among experienced practitioners — is that beginners should start in the gi. Here's why:
The gi slows things down
When you're new, slower is better. The gi's friction gives you more time to think, to recognize positions, and to work on technique before speed and athleticism take over. This is especially valuable in the first 6–12 months when you're building your foundation.
Grips force precision
Gi training requires you to be precise about where you grab and how you position your body. That precision carries over to no-gi — students who trained gi first tend to have better positional awareness when they switch.
More submission variety early on
The gi opens up chokes and sweeps that don't exist in no-gi, giving you a broader vocabulary of techniques to learn. This depth is valuable when you're building an understanding of the game.
The Case for No-Gi
Starting no-gi is a legitimate choice, especially if your goals are:
- MMA or self-defense (where you won't always be grabbing a jacket)
- Wrestling or submission grappling competitions
- You simply find no-gi more appealing and are more likely to stick with it
The best martial art is the one you actually train. If no-gi excites you more, start there. You will still develop real BJJ skills, and you can always add gi training later.
What Most Practitioners Do
The majority of serious BJJ students train both. Gi and no-gi are complementary — each exposes weaknesses in your game that the other can hide. Most academies offer both, and many practitioners find that cross-training in both formats accelerates their overall development.
Our Recommendation for Beginners
Start in the gi, add no-gi once you have a foundation. Then train both as often as you can.
This is the path that most coaches recommend, and it's the approach taken at Team Domingos. Our beginner classes use the gi, and no-gi sessions are available once you're ready to explore.
If you have specific goals — self-defense, competition, MMA — mention them when you reach out. The right answer for your situation may be different, and we'd rather give you honest guidance than a one-size-fits-all answer.
At Team Domingos in Las Vegas
Team Domingos offers both gi and no-gi classes throughout the week. View the current schedule to see what's available, or book a free trial class and experience it firsthand. Your first class is free — no gear required.