In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), a proper uniform or dress code is essential for all practitioners. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) mandates that all BJJ athletes wear a Gi and a belt. While the belt color reflects the athlete's rank in the BJJ belt system, the IBJJF has also approved certain Gi colors for competitions: black, blue, and white.
Many practitioners wonder if the color of their Gi matters and if it impacts their progress during training. The simple answer is: it doesn’t matter, as long as you are not competing in an IBJJF tournament. However, there are some formalities regarding Gi colors in BJJ.
History and Evolution of Gi Color in BJJ
When Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was first developed, the traditional term for the training gear or kimono was ‘Keiko Gi,’ where Keiko means "to practice" and Gi means "uniform." Martial artists traditionally referred to their training uniforms or Gis as their fighting style. In the 1800s, Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo, introduced the Gi as a uniform in the judo system. Initially, it was white or unbleached, and athletes were differentiated by their sashes or belt colors during competitions.
During the 70's, Reylson Gracie created the first colored Gi and is considered an innovator of Gi fashion. His first innovations were in black, yellow, and turquoise. In judo, the color blue was used to differentiate competitors, a principle later adopted by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Gi Colors in Competition
The International Judo Federation (IJF) allows only two Gi colors: blue and white. There are only three basic Gi colors you can wear in competitions. Sometimes, event organizers ask fighters to change into one of the basic colors when two or more are wearing the same colored Gi. To differentiate between competitors wearing the same Gi color during competitions, fighters began wearing a blue key. In international competitions, fighters were required to have both a blue and white key for judging purposes.
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Personal Preference and Academy Policies
The reason for choosing a Gi color often depends on the personal preference of the academies and fighters. Some academies have a strict policy on wearing only white Gis, while others have a more lenient dress code, allowing fighters to wear Gis of any color. Academies also have their brands printed on them. The IBJJF states that Gis in competition must be white, blue, or black. Why then do manufacturers make red Gis, yellow Gis, camo Gis, pink Gis, etc.? Because they can and because people buy them, that's the reason.
The basic reason for wearing different colored Gis is to distinguish between fighters. Some BJJ Gi colors signify team association or a tradition within a BJJ team or club, due to which athletes prefer to wear that color in every training session.
Psychological Impact of Gi Color
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a complete lifestyle, impacting one's physical and mental health. BJJ athletes are self-aware and know which color affects their mood. It can be used as a tool to intimidate the opponent or to boost one’s athletic performance on the mats. Therefore, competitors strategically select Gi colors, within the ambit of IBJJF Gi uniform regulations, that complement their grappling method and make them more visible to the judges and spectators.
Gi Color and Weight
The final thing about color is related to the weight of the Gi. A dyed Gi is heavier than a white Gi.
What Does Gi Color Mean in BJJ? (And Does It Indicate Rank?)
Specific Gi Colors: Meaning and Implications
White Gi
The white Gi represents tradition, formality, and discipline. A white Gi is a traditional uniform, representing the history of Japanese martial art. In Japanese culture, white is the symbol of purity and truth. A white Gi depicts the mindset of a beginner. The belt ranking in BJJ starts with white to signify that you still have much to learn and can learn from everyone. The white GI represents uniformity and parity among fighters.
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However, a white Gi can make it extremely difficult to appear clean because it gets easily stained and is hard to clean. By promoting a white Gi policy, different academies also teach students the importance of cleanliness and that they should put in the effort to ensure that they are wearing a clean Gi in every training session. Since there are high-performance washing machines and effective detergents that help clean stains, wearing a dirty white Gi to practice jiu-jitsu will let everyone know that the wearer simply procrastinated and didn’t wash the Gi. It’s hard to wash the white Gi because it gets dirty easily and requires a wash often.
Blue and Black Gis
Blue or black Gis do not signify anything related to tradition or rank. But they are preferred because they look more modern, sleek, and nicer on fighters compared to the basic white ones. Wearing a black or blue Gi is a personal choice. The blue and black Gi looks cleaner and sharper for a long time. But the saturation of the color fades over time. However, the look of a used, faded Gi shows that you have worked hard to learn BJJ. Dark-colored Gis, such as military green, dark blue, or black Gis are better at hiding sweat stains during training sessions.
Wearing a particular color may enhance a BJJ practitioner’s confidence and performance on the mats. Wearing one's favorite color that also complements their style can improve mood and make one feel less conscious about their appearance. When athletes wear white during training sessions on the mats, it also becomes difficult to keep track of their points and submission attempts.
Just like a white Gi offers a cooling effect by reflecting more light and absorbing less heat, colored Gis do the exact opposite, offering insulation in colder temperatures. Wearing a blue or black Gi is fine but it can be a distraction by making you prominent in the class. While colored jiu-jitsu Gis are now widely accepted, they are still considered less preferred than white Gi. Therefore, wearing a sharp-colored Gi may attract unwanted attention leading to lack of confidence.
As mentioned, unwanted scrutiny is a major drawback of wearing a colored Gi. If you are not confident in your grappling abilities, wearing a colored Gi may further impact your performance on the mats by making you focus on your Gi color choice instead of your opponent and his maneuvers. Dark-colored Gis are an excellent source of insulation in colder weather conditions; however, in hot weather conditions, they retain heat and can cause you to sweat profusely, making you uncomfortable.
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Gi Colors for Beginners
White belts (beginners) are allowed to wear any color Gi they want because no rule within BJJ forbids this. The color of the Gi does not indicate the practitioner’s belt rank in jiu-jitsu. The only way an athlete’s belt rank is displayed in jiu-jitsu when wearing a Gi is by wearing the belt in the color of their actual rank.
If you are not a competitor, you can choose any color, even camouflage, if your training school recommends it. The most popular among fans is a dark blue color. But if you are going to compete in international tournaments held by the IBJJF, then you should know that the only colors allowed for Gisare blue, white, and black. There are no other options. So if you are on a bit of a tight budget and have just started doing jiu-jitsu, then we advise you to buy a GI with one of the required colors.
Gi Color Expectations for Belt Promotions
While most BJJ academies now allow students to wear a Gi in whichever color they want, they do have a Gi color policy during BJJ promotion ceremonies. All the students whether they are the ones getting promoted or attending as audience, are required to wear a white Gi to uphold tradition and to reflect equality, camaraderie, and support for those getting elevated to the higher ranks. The white Gi policy adopted for the BJJ belt promotion nights also reminds practitioners that only the color of their belt can change. Their mindset, Gi's color, and attitude toward his instructors, partners, and junior practitioners must remain positive.
BJJ Gi colors do not hold nearly as much significance as the color of the belt does, as the latter helps you understand the experience level of your instructor, training partner, or opponent. Some BJJ academies may ask practitioners to either choose a white, black, or blue Gi, but that is simply because they want to instill discipline among students or make them adhere to the IBJJF competition rules from their first jiu-jitsu session. However, with the constant evolution in the BJJ submission techniques and positional maneuvers, there is a greater acceptance of change in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. For this reason, it is not uncommon to see jiu-jitsu athletes train in military green, gray, brown, pink, and yellow Gis.
Choosing the Right Gi for Beginners
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a dynamic and fast-growing martial art. It is attracting practitioners of all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned black belts. One of the most common questions new students ask is, What color Gi should I wear as a BJJ beginner? It may seem like a simple choice. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the significance of Gi colors. We will look into the best options for beginners, and how your choice of a BJJ Gi can impact your training experience.
The BJJ Gi is an essential part of training, symbolizing discipline and tradition. Unlike other martial arts, where white or black uniforms are standard, BJJ Gis come in various colors. The white Gi is considered the most traditional. It offers a balance between tradition and modern style. The black Gi is often associated with advanced practitioners. Some traditional academies only allow white Gis for beginners. Having at least two Gis allows you to rotate them between training sessions.
For BJJ beginners, the best bjj Gi color largely depends on academy rules, competition intentions, and personal preference. The safest choices are white, blue, or black.
When selecting your first BJJ Gi, also consider factors like size, material, brand quality, and IBJJF regulations. This ensures that you get the best value for your investment. If you’re looking for the best BJJ Gi for beginners, check out reputable brands that offer durable, competition-ready Gis in white, blue, and black.
By choosing the right BJJ Gi, you’ll be well-prepared to begin your journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with confidence!
In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the Gi is a traditional, and sacred uniform. As one of the most professional organisations in the world, the IBJJF has an extremely strict set of regulations that they are governed by. Some students may think their rules, and ideals are outdated, or old fashioned, but the traditional element within the IBJJF still remains as one of their core values. This concept makes them extremely proficient, and an iconic federation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
In the modern era many athletes have taken to the online shopping platform to source some of the most uniquely designed, and colourful Gi's on the world market. There are many different Gi manufacturers like Hayabusa, Elite, Hyperfly, Kingz Kimonos, War, Koral, Venom, and Tatami just to name a few, that have created an extensive range of multicoloured, and epically designed creations. These days anything goes in the world of Gi apparel, as manufacturers have made phenomenal styles that offer colours like red, pink, brown, camo, grey, purple, charcoal and many other hybrid colours. What makes many of these Gi's such a stand out among others, is their specific designs like logo placement, and graphics that are embroidered within the Gi.
Most academies that students will join are inspiring, and understanding, as they will allow their students to wear any types of Gi, or Gi apparel they buy. During a training session it doesn't really matter what a student wears, as long as they are embodying the ideology of their instructor, training to the core values of their academy, and respecting all members of their academy. Wearing a special signature Gi that is covered in graphics, and has multiple layers of colours, is completely normal in this day and age.
Some academies expect all of their students to wear their academy colours, and this may be a royal blue, or a white, which is quite common amongst some of the more traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies. Some students will think this practise is arbitrary, as they only want to train, and wear whatever makes them feel confident. Most academies will not expect students to wear an academy Gi, but they do strongly encourage wearing academy Gi's during competition, or at a grading seminar. The main reason behind this is so that when an instructor posts photos on social media, they can market their academy through the use of each individual wearing the academy logo. It is also a nice look, to have a whole bunch of students competing at a BJJ tournament, whilst wearing their academy logos.
Caring for Your Gi
One of the biggest problems that BJJ athletes May face is how to properly care for their Gi. Some of the Gi's that practitioners may wear have all different colours, which can become problematic when trying to rapidly clean them in time for their next training session.
Ideally all students should have a large range of Gi's, so they are never waiting for the only one they have to dry. Students must learn how to wash a jiu jitsu gi, as the importance of killing the bacteria that lives within the Gi, can prevent the risk of different types of infections.
Washing a Gi can be rather easy, as all the student needs to do is put the Gi in the washing machine, add the usual laundry detergent, or powder, and then add some fabric softener to make the Gi smell nicer, and feel softer. The crucial element is to wash the Gi in cold water, so that it does not shrink during its cycle.
Another important tip is to steer clear of using a dryer to dry a Gi after its initial wash. Using a dryer for too long on heat, will certainly shrink a Gi, and can possibly fade the colours too. There are other ways to dry a Gi that is just coming out of the washing machine, as the natural regime of hanging a Gi out is perfect. An important thing to remember, is to not hang the Gi in direct sunlight, as this will most certainly fade the Gi, leaving it stiff, and blotchy with colour.
Many students may wonder about the importance of washing a Gi, as the Gi is one of the biggest carriers of germs, and bacteria. These can cause extreme problems for an academy, as bacterias can turn into infections like staph, and ringworm. Bacteria can be transported many different ways like from the feet of an athlete, on their skin, or even under their fingernails.
This is why all students must use proper hygiene methods, to keep their bodies clean, keep their nails trimmed, and filed, and always wear shoes while they are off the mats. The most important notion is washing their Gi, and this must be done as soon as they get home from training, as it can be problematic to leave the Gi marinating in its own bacteria. Another important aspect is to wash the belt at the same time as the Gi, because the belt is just a belt, and it does not carry any mystical power, instead it carries germs, and bacteria just like the Gi.
Even though an academy will rigorously clean the mats with disinfectant, and bleach, bacteria can still be transported from student to student.
| Gi Color | Meaning/Association | IBJJF Competition |
|---|---|---|
| White | Tradition, purity, discipline | Allowed |
| Blue | Modern, sleek | Allowed |
| Black | Modern, sleek | Allowed |
| Other Colors (Red, Pink, Camo, etc.) | Personal preference, team association | Not Allowed |