Another Gi Thread

[SamuraiGuy]

So I'm planning to start grappling with a gi... doing this proper... "Jiu Jitsu" instead of just "grappling" lol.

Gives me 6 more hours a week.... soo well worth it, but I have no idea what to look for in a gi or much about them. I've done a search here, and learned a few things, but nothing that answered my specific questions.

First of all, Ive kinda got a choice between two Gi's, these are the two the place offering Jiu Jitsu sells in their store, as I want it to fit and not order some crap off the internet or something.

The gis are simply listed as "aries" and "krugans".
(200 dollars Canadian for the Aries)
(285 Canadian for the Krugan).

I tried to look at these on the internet and get some... knowledge.. but honestly they look the same to me.

I'm not sure what to go with, and may get something else if I hear these are complete and utter crap...

Question 2:

Whats the deal for washing them? I would want to wash it after everytime I use it I would think... is that bad for it?... or what... I honestly have no ideas about these gi's....

If I go there ill still get 4 hours of No- Gi in, but any help with this is appreciated...

[Nick]

...

As for washing, just wash it in the machine, cold water and dry it by hanging it or put it in the drying machine. It's not any worse for it than it is for it to be used for grapppling! And defiinitely wash it after every use. There's nothing worse than grappling with somebody who has a smelling, blood-drenched gi.

[majorfufu]

i have a krugan gi and i like it, and i also have an atama gi that i like very much. If you go to the atama web site they have a chart to help you figure out which size you are. I used the chart and my gi fits perfect. everyone really should wash their gi's after each class, not only for the obvious odor reason, but also to reduce the chances of ring worm. My instructor will actually send people home if they are to offensive. One gi may be alright for now but if you really get into rollin with gi you will need a backup. unless you are one of those people who can remember to throw your gi in the wash that night and get it out of the machine to start drying. It can take as long as 12-20 hours to get your lapels completely dry. Also i think atama is running a special on their gold weave white gi for $79.00 U.S.. not sure what that converts to in maple leafs? eh!

[SamuraiGuy]

Hmmm ill check out those Atama gi's, still wary of ordering something over the net, wouldnt want to waste like.. 140 bucks... or something.. not sure of the exact exchange.

12-20 hours... is this air dry or machine dry? or should you not machine dry it?

and this may seem stupid but there wont be a problem if I show up with an Atama gi will there?... its..... regulation? lol.. im just wondering cause I plan on doing a tournament, although it will probably be No Gi for me, id still like the option of going with a gi.

Also, they give you your white belt right? when you sign up.... although I could use an old white belt....

Oh, is there any chance of going straight to blue... from what I understand its when you know the basics you get your blue, Im fairly confident in myself, and my bjj, although I've never done any formal "BJJ" its been grappling... that is "BJJ".. without a gi.

Is there a test or do they just give em to you when they think your good enough, or if I tap blue belts will they give me one, or do I have to know certain techniques? haha lotsa questions.

[SamuraiGuy]

Took a look at the Atama website, and the gold weave looks good, especially for the price, I'm glad it says its a lighter Gi, wouldnt want to be weighed down, its definetly up there with my choices. How would you say the Atama Gold weave compares to the Krugan or aries if anyone knows?

Also if the sizing is
5'5"-5'9" 140-170 A-2
5'9"-6'1" 170-200 A-3


and im 5'10 , and weight changes from 160-170... what would I buy, I know I wouldnt want it to be too tight, so Im leaning towards A-3...

Its alot of questions but im lost and completely clueless here... who knew buying a Gi would be the hardest part of BJJ.

[JaredExtreme]

Alright here's all the info.

-Get the A3. When you wash a gi for the first time (not even including drying) it shrinks, you want to make sure the gi isn't too small right when you get it out of the package.

-Drying. You can hang dry or use a drying machine. Hang drying takes a long time, however using the drying machine may result in additional shrinkage. Some gi brands are more susceptible to this dryer shrinkage than others. I stopped using machine drying on my Howards because they kept shrinking, but I still machine dry my Gameness and Machado because they stopped shrinking.

-Aries vs vs Krugans vs Atama. I have never seen or felt an Aries so I cannot comment on them. I have seen Krugans and I have heard people say the material is a bit thin. Many people like Atamas, especially the gold weave, and the website is very reliable, but I'm not sure if they ship to canada.

-There usually isn't strict regulation on what type of gi you can wear in tournaments. But if you show up in a gi that is extremely small with hardly any sleeves for an opponent to grap you may catch some flack.

-You proabably will not go directly to blue belt. Even if you are a great grappler most instuctors want to make sure you're dedicated to the school and are willing to put time in on the mat before giving out a blue. For a new grappler blue belts usually take between 1-3 years depending on how many classes they take and how they progress. If you are a grappling wiz maybe you'll get it in 6 months, who knows. A common phrase heard in BJJ circles is "Just because you tap out a higher belt (like a blue belt), does not make you that belt" and this is absolutely true.

-It is uncommon for schools to provide a permanent white belt. They may have a 'loaner' that you can use for awhile but usually it's the students responsibility to get their own. When I started BJJ I just used an old karate white belt lying around in my closet.

I hope this is helpful.

[SamuraiGuy]

That was super helpful lol, thanks alot.

I can just use an old Krav Maga whitebelt, I'm sure itll work fine.... I'm thinking of going with the atama... its about 105 canadian at the sale price they have going and they do ship to Canada, thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the advice on the blue belt.. its not that I want a fancy belt or anything, I just want to know where I stand in the world of grappling.... If I had to pick a belt im closest to Id say blue, so im just wondering about that, I'm willing to work for it though.

I'm leaning towards the atama gold weave, seems to be the right thing for me, ill take their tips on washing it and that from the website, thanks for all the help, and anyone with other advice or opinions, feel free to add them, Im not decided yet.

[majorfufu]

definately go with the a-3 because it will shrink a little

[doubleouch]

I'm your size and have an a3 atama. Fits well. Good Gi.

[SamuraiGuy]

Okay thanks alot, I'm really unsure about the sizes... as I said, 5'10 160-170... but a whole bunch of people have said that I look like I weigh 190.... I dont know where they got that from... but.... I think ill go with the A-3 though.

[SamuraiGuy]

Oh, another question... what do you wear under your gi... t-shirt? shorts? boxers?... I imagine having shorts on could get pretty hot in there.... lol....

[Tant01]

UPDATES please!

....Oh, is there any chance of going straight to blue... from what I understand its when you know the basics you get your blue, Im fairly confident in myself, and my bjj, although I've never done any formal "BJJ" its been grappling... that is "BJJ".. without a gi.

Is there a test or do they just give em to you when they think your good enough, or if I tap blue belts will they give me one, or do I have to know certain techniques? haha lotsa questions.

Enthusiasm is good, curiosity is good.... over confidence, NOT good.

Be sure to let us know how you progress. Grappling experience will help but there's more to a blue belt than muscling a submission out of them...

What techniques do think you will use to get this submission from a BJJ player?




I'm excited for you, hopefully you get all your questions answered soon, eh?

[SamuraiGuy]

What techniques... im not sure if thats rhetorical or your actually asking me... either way Ill answer it....

Depends on the situation....

Still wondering about what to wear under the gi, boxers? shorts? t-shirt?... I will have made the switch by Friday.... more grappling... yes yes.

[Tant01]

What techniques... im not sure if thats rhetorical or your actually asking me... either way Ill answer it....

Depends on the situation....

...........

Wear a cup and be ready to tap out.... A LOT!

[SamuraiGuy]

Hrmmm id like to think im past the constantly getting tapped phase... although im well aware there will be people who could fold me into a pretzel if they wanted to... and I've never worn a cup grappling, never had a problem with it either.. maybe a few uncomfortable situations, but nothing too bad....