Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most well-known sports in many countries like Brazil and other South American countries. It is not only a great competition, but it can also be a form of exercise, self-defense, and it is also suitable for people who just want to have fun. By undergoing Jiu-jitsu training, you will enhance your flexibility, strength, endurance, and cardio.
More than body strength, Jiu-jitsu is an excellent way to exercise your mind. It exercises your mind to think fast to defeat your opponent. But before you go into the actual training, there are still things to consider, such as the professional who will train you, your physical and mental readiness, your schedule, and of course, the proper uniform.
GI
Before discussing the proper sizing and fit guide for the uniform, it is essential to know what is a Gi and its significance to Jiu-Jitsu. Gi is a uniform used by people who are training for Jiu-jitsu. It is an adaptation of keikogi, the uniform used in Japanese martial arts. A Gi is composed of a cotton jacket, trousers that are reinforced with drawstring, and a belt.
A Gi is an essential part of the sport; in fact, there are a set of rules stipulated by IBJJF(International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) concerned with its proper usage in a competition. This includes the correct and appropriate materials, the uniform’s condition, the proper combination of colors, and its adequate length and measurements.
Gi Sizing
Aside from having the proper training given by a professional in the sport, it is also vital that the person who is doing Jiu-Jitsu can move freely without any distractions, hence the importance of having a Gi that is perfect for the person’s size. This will ensure that the person can perform well and have a chance to defeat his/her opponent.
Many websites offer premium quality Gi. One example is charlesgracie.com. When shopping for the correct size to buy, you have to consider the height and the weight of the person. On the given website, they will provide you a BJJ Gi size chart. In this Gi size chart, you will see the appropriate Gi you should buy that is perfect for your size and height.
According to the chart given by the Charles Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy, if you have a height of 5’1″ – 5’4″ and weight of 105 to 145, you should get size A-1, if you’re height is 5’4″ – 5’8″ and weighing 145 to 180 A-2 is the size for you, now if you’re 180 to 210 heavy and your height is 5’9″ – 6’0″, the size that will suit you is A-3, the other content of the chart will be seen in their website.
Fit Guide
Having a Gi that fits perfectly with your body ensures that you will perform very well without any distraction, but it also gives the person the boost in confidence, and it signifies respect to the art. That’s why it’s a must that a person should wear a Gi that fits them perfectly.
Human beings grow as we grow old, which means we grow taller and the length of some parts of our body increases. When a person, most especially children, trains for Jiu-jitsu, it is customary to outgrow their Gi. When this happens, it is essential to know when it’s time to buy a new uniform.
The easiest way to know if the Gi is still a perfect fit for the person is by measuring the jacket’s length in the arm part or the sleeves. If the sleeve is precisely on the wrist bone or 1.5 inches longer or shorter, it is considered a perfect fit for you. One tip to retain the Gi’s size is by washing it with cold water to avoid shrinking.
Takeaway
We all have different ways of utilizing our precious time; some use it to read books, others use it to watch movies and TV series, but some people use it to learn Jiu-jitsu. Learning Jiu-jitsu can be both advantageous and beneficial. It can help both our mental and physical health. The effectiveness of Jiu-jitsu in teaching how to defend yourself when needed is also proven.
Just as necessary the training is, the uniform used in this sport is also an important part. It is vital to have the proper uniform because it maintains the integrity of the sport. Having the correct size and fit is also essential to ensure that the person can perform well. All-in-all, every part of the sport should be given importance because it is a beautiful art form.