Beginner's guide

So you're getting into Brazilian jiu-jitsu

BJJ has a reputation for being complicated to start — gi or no-gi, which brand, what size? It's simpler than it looks once someone breaks it down. Here's what to buy for your first month on the mat, and what you can safely ignore until you know you love it.

By Colin B. · Published May 23, 2026 · Last reviewed May 23, 2026

man in brown t-shirt and brown pants lying on floor

Photo by Samuel Castro on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

Sanabul Essential Jiu Jitsu Gi — A durable, honest-cut starter gi that holds up to daily training without looking cheap on the mat.
Hayabusa Pro Ranked Short Sleeve BJJ Rash Guard — The rashguard that fits under your gi or alone for no-gi — compression fit, won't bunch.
Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard — Boil-and-bite mouthguard. Buy one before your second class, not after.

Budget total

$100

Typical total

$175

A starter gi, a rashguard, and a mouthguard is all you need for month one. Expect $100–175 to be properly equipped.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

Category	Top pick	Price	Where to buy
Gi	SanabulSanabul Essential Jiu Jitsu Gi	$$	See on Amazon →
No-Gi Gear	HayabusaHayabusa Pro Ranked Short Sleeve BJJ Rash Guard	$$	See on Amazon →
Protection	Shock DoctorShock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard	$	See on Amazon →
Training Bag	VenumVenum Trainer Lite Evo Sports Bag	$$	See on Amazon →
Mat Hygiene	Defense SoapDefense Soap Tea Tree Bar Soap (3-Pack)	$	See on Amazon →

Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Try a free class first. Almost every BJJ academy offers a trial, and most will loan you a gi or let you train in shorts and a t-shirt. Go once before you spend anything.

Gi or no-gi? Gi training (jacket and pants) is what most academies emphasize for beginners — it teaches grips, leverage, and control that transfer to no-gi. No-gi is faster-paced and more wrestling-influenced. If you're not sure, start with gi. It's the better foundation and opens more academies if you travel.

White belt means white gi at most academies. It's not a universal rule, but it's the default signal that you're new. Don't show up in a black gi on day one.

The gear

What you actually need

Gi

Your gi is the most-discussed gear choice in BJJ, and beginners reliably overthink it. What matters: it fits correctly (jacket should reach your wrists, pants shouldn't drag), it's cut to BJJ proportions (not a karate gi, which fits entirely differently), and it's from a brand that knows the sport. The weave weight (single, double, pearl) affects warmth and durability but not how fast you learn.

Gi — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Single Weave

Lightest and most breathable. The competition-legal entry point.

Weight: 350–450 gsm
Feel: Soft, light
Durability: Moderate

Best for Hot gyms, summer training, warm-climate beginners

Tradeoff Wears out faster with daily grinding

Pearl Weave

The modern default. Balances durability, weight, and breathability.

Weight: 450–550 gsm
Feel: Slightly textured, structured
Durability: Good

Best for Most beginners — the right pick for most gyms and climates

Tradeoff Slightly warmer than single weave

↓ See our pick

Double Weave

Heaviest and most durable. Old-school, built to last.

Weight: 650–700 gsm
Feel: Dense, stiff until broken in
Durability: Very high

Best for Cold gyms, hard daily trainers who want gear that outlasts them

Tradeoff Heavy and warm — brutal in summer

Best starter

Sanabul

Sanabul Essential Jiu Jitsu Gi

Sanabul's Essential has become the default beginner recommendation for good reason: cut to real BJJ proportions, minimal shrinkage after washing, and under $60. The pearl weave is light enough for summer and durable enough to last a year of regular training. It doesn't have the prestige of Kingz or Tatami, but it won't embarrass you and won't fall apart.

Watch out for: Sanabul gis run slightly long in the torso. Check the size chart carefully — A2 fits most people 5'8" to 6'0".

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Fuji

Fuji All Around BJJ Gi

Fuji has been making gis for American BJJ since the early 2000s and every academy has students wearing one. The All Around is heavier (double weave) than the Sanabul, which makes it more durable but warmer. Good choice if your gym runs cold or you prefer a sturdier feel.

Watch out for: Heavier weave means more warmth. If you train in a hot gym in summer, the Sanabul is the smarter pick.

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Hayabusa

Hayabusa Goorudo 3 Gold Weave Gi

$$$

Hayabusa makes the best-fitting gi in the sub-$150 range. The Goorudo's gold weave hits the sweet spot of durability and weight — light enough to stay cool, tight enough weave to resist grip. When you're training four times a week and want something that fits and lasts, this is where most serious beginners land.

Watch out for: Hayabusa sizes are precise — measure against their chart before ordering. Don't guess.

See on Amazon →

man in black crew neck t-shirt sitting on floor

Photo by Vladislav Bychkov on Unsplash

No-Gi Gear

For no-gi classes — and for wearing under your gi — you need two things: a rashguard and grappling shorts or spats. The rashguard prevents mat burn and is required at most academies. Grappling shorts have no pockets, no zippers, no buttons — nothing that catches fingers or scratches partners. Board shorts are not grappling shorts. Gym shorts with a drawstring knot are not grappling shorts.

Best starter

Hayabusa

Hayabusa Pro Ranked Short Sleeve BJJ Rash Guard

The fit is the reason: it compresses correctly without cutting circulation, and it doesn't ride up during a roll. The flatlock stitching holds up to years of use. Available in belt-rank colors if you want to represent, or plain black if you don't.

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Sanabul

Sanabul Core Short Sleeve Jiu Jitsu Rash Guard

Under $30, compresses correctly, doesn't bunch under a gi, and survives the wash cycle. The right answer when you're not sure which length or style you prefer and want to start without overspending.

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Venum

Venum Gladiator 3.0 Fight Shorts

Clean cut, no pockets, velcro waist closure — everything grappling shorts need and nothing else. The 4-way stretch panels let you move freely on takedowns and guard work. A good pair lasts years; these are worth the $35.

See on Amazon →

Protection

BJJ is mostly ground fighting, so teeth-to-knee contact is rare but not zero. A mouthguard is the one piece of protection you should buy before your first live roll — no exceptions. Ear guards (to prevent cauliflower ear, which is permanent deformation of the outer ear cartilage) are optional in month one but worth knowing about. Wrestlers learn this lesson early; BJJ players sometimes learn it too late.

Best starter

Shock Doctor

Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard

The Gel Max is the combat-sports standard: the gel liner molds to your teeth in hot water, stays in without clenching, and doesn't impede breathing. Under $20 and the single most important protective purchase you'll make. Buy it before your second class.

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

SISU

SISU Aero 1.6mm Mouthguard

At 1.6mm, the SISU is the thinnest mouthguard that still protects. You can talk, breathe, and drink water without removing it — things you cannot do with a standard boil-and-bite. Worth the upgrade once you're training more than twice a week.

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Cliff Keen

Cliff Keen Tornado Wrestling Headgear

Cauliflower ear is permanent — the cartilage fills with blood, hardens, and stays that way. Wrestling headgear prevents it. Cliff Keen's Tornado is the lightest option and what most BJJ athletes who wear headgear choose. You don't need it day one, but act fast if your ears start feeling sore after drilling.

Watch out for: Some academies discourage headgear in sparring because the edges can scratch. Ask your instructor before wearing it in rolls.

See on Amazon →

Training Bag

You need something large enough to fit a wet gi without forcing it. A gi is surprisingly bulky when damp, and it smells — keeping it in a separate gym bag means your work laptop doesn't share the experience. Look for a vented compartment or a mesh panel that lets the gi breathe in transit.

Best starter

Venum

Venum Trainer Lite Evo Sports Bag

Large main compartment fits a wet gi without drama, dual zip pockets keep your mouthguard from disappearing, and the build quality holds up to daily abuse. Popular at academies because the size is right — big enough to matter, not so big it's a burden.

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Sanabul

Sanabul Combat Gear Pack Sports Backpack

If you commute or bike to the gym, a backpack is more practical than a duffel. Sanabul's holds a full gi plus no-gi gear, and the ventilated shoe compartment at the bottom keeps your flip flops away from everything else.

See on Amazon →

Mat Hygiene

BJJ mats are a known source of skin infections — ringworm, staph, and impetigo are all real. Two habits prevent nearly all of it: shower within an hour of training, and never walk barefoot from the mat to the bathroom or street. Flip flops are gym equipment, not optional. Budget about $20 for sandals and a bar of Defense Soap.

Best starter

Defense Soap

Defense Soap Tea Tree Bar Soap (3-Pack)

Defense Soap is the combat-sports standard: eucalyptus and tea tree oil, both shown to reduce staph and ringworm risk. Use it post-training as your regular body wash. Grapplers who use it consistently have noticeably fewer skin issues than those who use regular soap.

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Havaianas

Havaianas Brasil Logo Flip Flops

Just buy a pair of rubber sandals before your first class. These are the ones you'll wear at the gym for years. The brand matters less than the habit: shoes off on the mat, sandals on everywhere else in the facility.

See on Amazon →

Going deeper

Your first month of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Most beginners spend their first weeks lost in a fog of technique names and don't know what to focus on. Here's what the first month actually looks like — week by week — and what to do when it starts to click.

Read the guide →

Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

A second gi — Train three times a week and you'll need to wash your gi twice a week — one is fine. Wait until month two before buying a second.
Knee pads — Some people swear by them after years of hard training. In your first month you won't notice the difference.
Spats (compression tights) — Nice for no-gi or under your gi, but grappling shorts are sufficient. Add them once you're training regularly.
A competition gi — IBJJF competition-legal gis have specific color and patch rules. Don't worry about this until you've registered for a tournament.
Finger tape by the roll — You'll want it eventually — BJJ is hard on finger joints. Buy a single roll in month two when you actually need it.

First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

Find an academy with a verified black belt instructor or a credible affiliation (Gracie Barra, Alliance, Checkmat, SBG). Legitimacy matters more than location. · Action
Take the free trial class in shorts and a t-shirt. Most gyms provide loaner gis. · Action
Order your starter gi after the trial class — not before. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: Sanabul Essential Jiu Jitsu Gi
Buy a mouthguard before your first live roll. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard
Cut your fingernails and toenails short. This is gym etiquette, not optional. · Action
Aim for two to three classes in your first week. The techniques are sequential — skipping early classes means missing context. · Action

FAQ

Common questions

How much does it cost to start BJJ?

Gear runs $100–175: a starter gi ($50–80), a rashguard ($25–50), and a mouthguard ($15–25). Academy dues run $100–200/month depending on location. The gear is a one-time investment; the monthly dues are the real recurring cost.

Should I start with gi or no-gi?

Start with gi. Gi training builds a deeper technical foundation — slower, grip-oriented, methodical. Most academies emphasize gi for beginners. Once you have the basics, add no-gi classes; you'll find much of what you learned transfers directly.

What size gi should I buy?

BJJ gis use A-sizes (A0–A5, with A1F and A2F for shorter/broader frames). Measure your height and weight against the brand's specific chart — don't guess. Most gis shrink slightly in the first wash, so size up if you're between sizes. The jacket should reach your wrists with arms extended.

Is BJJ safe for complete beginners?

Yes, with caveats. Reputable academies have a structured approach to beginners, and the culture around 'tapping' (submitting) is taken seriously. Injuries happen, but they're mostly minor (soreness, occasional joint strain) if you train at a legitimate gym and tap when you should.

How long does it take to get a blue belt?

Two to four years of consistent training for most people. BJJ promotions aren't standardized — your instructor promotes you when they think you're ready, and different academies have different standards. Don't focus on the belt. Focus on the next technique.

Do I need to be in shape to start BJJ?

No, and this is the most common reason people delay. BJJ will get you in shape. Your first month is exhausting regardless of fitness level — the positions are unfamiliar and your muscles don't know what to brace. Just show up and survive. The conditioning follows.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

r/bjj — The largest English-language BJJ community online. Good for gear questions, technique threads, and the wiki. The honest pulse of the sport.
BJJ Fanatics (YouTube) — The largest BJJ instructional library online, with free content from world champions. Browse for technique after you have fundamentals from class.
IBJJF — The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation — the main governing body for competition. Relevant once you want to compete.
Gracie University — Rener and Ryron Gracie's online curriculum. The Gracie Combatives program is well-structured for complete beginners and respected across academies.
The Grappling Academy (YouTube) — Clear, beginner-accessible technique videos. A better starting point than most paid instructionals for your first six months.