Gi BJJ is the traditional format of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where practitioners wear a heavy cotton uniform called a Gi (kimono). The Gi adds a strategic layer of grip fighting that makes training more technical and methodical.
Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the original and most traditional format of the art. When you train in the Gi, you wear a kimono consisting of a heavy woven cotton jacket, reinforced drawstring pants, and a belt that indicates your rank. The Gi is not just a uniform - it is a fundamental part of the training itself.
Every grip on the collar, sleeve, or pant leg creates an opportunity for control, sweeps, and submissions. This means Gi Jiu-Jitsu has an entire dimension of technique that does not exist in No-Gi training. Learning to manage grips - both establishing your own and breaking your opponent's - is a skill that takes years to develop.
A standard BJJ Gi consists of three pieces:
Competition Gis must be white, blue, or black. For training, most academies allow any color. Proper Gi sizing is important - too big and your opponent has excess fabric to grip, too small and it restricts your movement and may not meet competition standards.
The presence of the Gi fundamentally alters how Jiu-Jitsu is played:
Gi Jiu-Jitsu has a rich competitive history. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is the largest and most prestigious organization for Gi competition. IBJJF hosts the World Championships (Mundials) every year, which is considered the most important Gi tournament in the world.
Competitions are divided by belt rank, age, and weight class. Matches are won by submission, points (awarded for achieving dominant positions like mount, back control, and sweeps), or advantages (near-scoring attempts). This points system encourages practitioners to actively pursue positional advancement rather than stalling.
Many of the best grapplers in the world emphasize the importance of Gi training, even if they primarily compete in No-Gi. Here is why:
At Current Jiu Jitsu in Mississauga, our Gi program is led by Head Coach Brendon May, a 1st Degree Black Belt known for earning his black belt in less than 6 years. Our beginner Gi program is coached by John Ventresca, also a 1st Degree Black Belt and NAGA World Champion. Both programs operate under the RMNU lineage of Professor Toma Dragicevic and 8x World Champion Robson Moura, ensuring the highest standard of technical instruction.
Continue building your Jiu-Jitsu knowledge.
The faster, grip-free format of Jiu-Jitsu using rashguards and shorts.
From white to black belt - understand the progression and what each rank represents.
Chokes, joint locks, and the techniques that end a match in Jiu-Jitsu.
The unique bottom position in BJJ that becomes even more powerful with Gi grips.
Many academies have loaner Gis for your first few classes. At Current Jiu Jitsu, we can help you get started without owning a Gi right away. Once you decide to continue, a quality Gi typically costs between $80 and $200.
White is the most traditional and universally accepted color. Blue and black are also common. For competition, only white, blue, and black are allowed under IBJJF rules. For training, most academies accept any color.
Both have value for self-defense. Gi training is arguably more applicable because in real life, people wear clothing that can be gripped like a Gi (jackets, shirts, hoodies). Learning to use and defend against clothing grips has direct practical value.
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