I truly believe you can never have enough BJJ GIs
My students ask me this question daily so In this blog, we'll look into the factors that can help you in determining the ideal number of BJJ GI to suit your training requirements.
- Training Frequency
The first point to look at is your training frequency in BJJ. For those who train once or twice a week owning one or two GIs would be absolutely fine. However if you are training multiple times a week or even daily you will find value in expanding your collection.
Owning multiple Jiu Jitsu GIs allows you to have a weekly rotation enabling each GI has enough time to be washed and dried between training sessions. This also helps you prolong the lifespan of your GI rather than having to wash and dry every night after training.
- Gi Washing and Maintenance
BJJ is an intense sport often leading to sweaty GIs after training hence why regular washing is vital to uphold good hygiene. For those that are training multiple times a week owning multiple GIs also makes washing easier to manage as there is no need to rush through washing and drying before the next class, I always wash 2 GIs together.
- Competition GIs
Those that want to be a competitor may consider having a competition specific GI. I always have a GI that i keep purely for my competitions. Many competitions follow IBJJF guidelines which only allows White, Blue or Black BJJ GI and from 2024 IBJJF Worlds they are restricting the minimum weight of the GIs at 380gsm BJJ GI.
- GI Weight and Style
BJJ Gis are available in available in various weights and styles and alot of these are purely person preference. These can range from as low as 250gsm upto around 700gsm and the cuts can be traditional cut or curved cuts. With regards to styling and colours they can come in various different colours and style (not all are IBJJF Legal) but are absolutely fine within the training room. Lightweight Gis are great in hotter weather or for competition while some would say heavyweight Gis offer better durability. For me personally i like to have a mixture of both but generally prefer 350gsm-450gsm BJJ GI.
- Travel Friendly GIs
If you are a frequent traveler for training or competitions as mentioned above you should consider investing in specific BJJ GI for competition or traveling. Utilising lightweight BJJ GIs make them easier for packing into your travel bag. Owning a dedicated travel/ competition Gi streamlines the process sparing you from the constant hassle of packing and unpacking your regular Gis.
- Costs Differences
The cost of GIs can massively vary depending on what you are looking at. As mentioned above there are many different factors that play a part in costs. Some of the cheaper ones are classed as beginner GIs and too be honest they are actually great to be part of your daily rotation. These generally tend to be on the lighter side weight wise but dont generally have anything fancy in terms of styling/ design. As you start to move up towards the more expensive styling becomes a huge part with extra branding etc. Prioritising high quality Gis that offer longevity over accumulating a large number of lower quality options may prove to be a wise choice.
Conclusion
In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the ideal number of Gis is based on various factors, including your training frequency, wether your a competitor, personal preferences, and budget. There isnt a one size fits all answer and this is purely down to you. For many starting with two or three Gis will give you a good base to allow you to train as much as you need with room to expand your collection as and when you need to.
Remember that maintaining your Gis through regular washing and proper care is imperative regardless of how many you own.