Gi vs no-gi: which should I start with?

The first real question most people ask before starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is whether to train with the kimono (the gi) or without it (no-gi). Both styles share most of the same vocabulary — positions, escapes, submissions — but the feel of training is very different. This is the short version.

What is the gi?

The gi is the traditional kimono uniform: thick cotton jacket, drawstring pants, a coloured belt. In gi training you can grip the fabric — your partner's lapel, sleeve, or pants — and they can grip yours. Grips slow the pace down. Submissions often use the gi itself (collar chokes, for example). Belts mark progression, usually over many years.

What is no-gi?

No-gi grappling is the same sport without the kimono. People wear shorts and a rash guard. You cannot grab clothes, so you rely on the body — head control, underhooks, wrist control, leg attachments. Modern competitive no-gi (ADCC, EBI, no-gi IBJJF) has its own flavour, with more wrestling, leg locks, and faster transitions.

How they actually feel different

• Pace. Gi is generally slower and grip-heavy. No-gi is faster and slippery — sweat helps people escape.
• Athleticism. No-gi rewards quick transitions and conditioning. Gi rewards patience and structure.
• Crossover with other sports. No-gi overlaps heavily with wrestling, sambo, and MMA. Gi is more its own thing.
• Culture. Gi schools tend to be more traditional (belts, ranks, lineage). No-gi rooms are usually more informal.
• Cost of gear. A decent gi costs €80–120. No-gi gear is a few rash guards and shorts.

Which should you start with?

There is no universally right answer, but a few honest guidelines:

• If you want to compete in MMA, ADCC-style submission grappling, or wrestling, start no-gi.
• If you are drawn to traditional martial arts and the structure of belt progression, gi is closer to that experience.
• If you live somewhere hot and humid (like Lisbon in August), training without a kimono is more pleasant.
• If you have any skin sensitivity or eczema, no-gi can sometimes be easier — though good hygiene matters either way.
• If you are still unsure, try the one with a school nearby. The school matters more than the style.

Can you switch later?

Yes — and most committed grapplers eventually train both. The fundamentals transfer in both directions. You will just have to learn the grips and the pace of whichever side you were not training. Many top competitors today move freely between gi and no-gi.