The beauty behind BJJ Equipment is that it actually doesn’t require that much “stuff” in order to participate. At the very least, all you need is yourself. However, at most gyms, you’re at least going to need a gi. And there are a few more “extras” that you’ll want to consider purchasing as well. Let’s take a look at what they are now.
BJJ Equipment Gi
Gi’s generally cost between $60 and $80 for a basic starter set. Traditionally, they come with the coat, pants, and belt. If you’ve never participated in Jiu-Jitsu before then you’re obviously going to start off with a white belt (note that all belts cost the same price). Gi’s are composed of tough fabric that won’t rip or tear while grappling.
BJJ Equipment Mouthpiece
A mouthpiece is something that is highly recommended. Whether you’re going to be grappling everyday or once per week, it’s something that you want to help protect your teeth. While Jiu-Jitsu is inherently a safe sport, there will be times when you’ll receive a blow to your mouth from an elbow or knee.
By having a mouthpiece, you’ll dramatically lessen the chances of losing teeth when this happen. Mouthpieces can range anywhere from $15 to $30 depending on which type you buy. The higher priced ones generally aren’t required for sports like Jiu-Jitsu since it’s very unlikely that you’re going to receive any type of concussion during practice.
BJJ Equipment: Rash Guards
While these aren’t a necessity, they are extremely important for protecting your skin while on the mat. Rash guards are generally more suited for no-gi BJJ since you don’t want to be wearing loose-fitting clothing while practicing this style (an opponent’s hand can get caught in a loose-fitting shirt for example and break a bone). Rash guards should be long sleeve! At the very least, they shouldn’t be “sleeveless” since this would leave your armpit area exposed and grapplers won’t enjoy grappling with you this way.
The good news is that rash guards don’t cost that much. Under Armour rash guards, for instance, can be purchased for less than $40 (and much lower if you purchase them at thrift shops like Goodwill or The Salvation Army). Note they also have rash guards that you can wear in replacement of your underwear. This is generally recommended for men more than it is for women since men don’t want to have their groin area moving around excessively while grappling.