The Foundation: Essential Prerequisites (Beyond Gear)

Before even thinking about what to pack in your bag, some elements are fundamental to get the most out of your training sessions at Brazil 021 Chicago:

1. Beginner’s Mindset and Willingness to Learn

This is the most valuable “equipment.” Jiu-Jitsu is a complex art, often counterintuitive. Therefore, you need to:

• Be Humble: Be ready not to know, to make mistakes, and to be submitted many times, especially at the beginning. Every mistake is a lesson.

• Be Patient: Progress in BJJ is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to develop the necessary skills and sensitivity.

• Be Receptive to Feedback: Listen attentively to your instructors at Brazil 021 Chicago. They are there to guide you.

• Have Respect: For the art, for the instructors, and fundamentally, for your training partners. Without this mental foundation, no equipment will make a difference in your evolution in Chicago.

2. Commitment to Personal Hygiene

BJJ is a very close-contact sport. Consequently, impeccable hygiene is not optional; it’s a golden rule and a form of respect. Before every training session:

• Short Nails: Keep your fingernails and toenails well-trimmed and clean at all times. Long nails can cause painful scratches and even cuts.

• Clean Body: Take a shower before training if possible, especially if coming from work or another activity. Use deodorant.

• Fresh Breath: No one likes to train with someone with bad breath.

• Hair Tied Back: If you have long hair, tie it securely so it doesn’t bother you or your partners.

• No Strong Perfumes: They can be uncomfortable for teammates in a close environment. Maintaining these standards is crucial for the health and comfort of everyone at our academy in Chicago.

Essential Gear For Your First Class (and Initial Training)

If you’re coming for a trial class at Brazil 021 Chicago and don’t have a full uniform yet, don’t worry!

Comfortable Workout Clothes (If You Don’t Have a Gi)

• No-Gi Option: Many BJJ classes, or even entire academies, focus on No-Gi training. In that case, you will need:

  • Rash Guard: A compression shirt, usually made of lycra or similar synthetic material, either short or long-sleeved. It protects the skin from friction, wicks away sweat, and is more hygienic.

  • Grappling Shorts or Leggings: Shorts without pockets, zippers, or any metal. They should be snug enough not to get caught in fingers but allow movement. Compression leggings are also a great option.

• Option For Trial Class (If Allowed without Specific No-Gi Attire): For a first class, if you don’t yet have No-Gi gear, a fitted t-shirt (not loose cotton) and athletic shorts without metal parts may be acceptable. Always confirm with Brazil 021 Chicago when scheduling your visit. Remember: comfort and safety are priorities.

Standard Gear For Regular Jiu-Jitsu Training (With Gi)

After deciding to embrace Jiu-Jitsu and train regularly, especially in classes with the Gi (kimono), some items become indispensable.

1. The Jiu-Jitsu Gi (Kimono)

The Gi is the traditional uniform and a fundamental learning tool in BJJ.

• Components: It consists of a heavy, woven jacket (wagui), reinforced pants (shitabaki), and the belt (obi) that indicates your rank.

• Importance in Learning: Training in the Gi teaches the crucial importance of grips. You learn to use the fabric of the opponent’s kimono to control, off-balance, pass the guard, and apply submissions. Similarly, you learn to defend against grips and use your own Gi strategically. Many classic and fundamental BJJ techniques are intrinsically linked to using the kimono.

• Choosing Your First Gi:

  • Size: Sizes generally follow a pattern (A0, A1, A2… for adults; F for female; K or C for kids). Consult the brand’s size charts and, ideally, ask for advice from the instructors at Brazil 021 Chicago. A well-fitting Gi is crucial – not too loose, not too tight.

  • Color: White is the most traditional and often required for beginners. Blue and black are other common colors. Check the preferences or rules of our academy in Chicago.

  • Weave: There are different types (single, pearl, gold, double). For beginners, a “pearl weave” is often a good balance of durability, lightness, and cost.

• Essential Care: Wash your Gi after every training session in cold water and hang it to dry, avoiding dryers which can shrink and damage the fabric. Do not use bleach. A clean Gi is a sign of respect.

2. The Belt (Obi)

Your belt is a symbol of your progress and dedication. As a beginner, you will start with a white belt. Your instructors at Brazil 021 Chicago will show you how to tie it correctly. Remember: the journey and knowledge gained are more important than the color of the belt.

3. Rash Guard (To Wear Under the Gi and For No-Gi)

Even in Gi training, wearing a rash guard under the jacket is highly recommended and, in many academies in Chicago, mandatory.

• Benefits Under the Gi:

  • Added Hygiene: Absorbs sweat, creating a barrier between your skin and the kimono (yours and your partner’s).

  • Comfort: Reduces friction from the Gi’s rough fabric on the skin, preventing chafing.

  • Protection: Minimizes minor scratches.

• Essential for No-Gi: As mentioned, for training without a kimono, a rash guard (usually long-sleeved) is the standard top.

Highly Advisable Gear For All Training Sessions

These items increase your safety, comfort, and hygiene:

1. Mouthguard

Although BJJ doesn’t involve intentional strikes, accidental contact to the mouth area can happen during takedowns, quick transitions, or scrambles. A mouthguard:

• Protects Your Teeth: Prevents chips, breaks, or loss of teeth.

• Protects Lips, Cheeks, and Tongue: Reduces the risk of internal cuts.

• May Reduce Risk of Mild Concussions: By absorbing some of the impact to the jaw. It’s a small investment with a big return in safety. “Boil and bite” models are accessible and effective for beginners in Chicago.

2. Flip-Flops or Sandals

Essential for mat hygiene. You should NEVER step on the mat with shoes you wore outside. Have a pair of flip-flops to:

• Go from the changing room to the edge of the mat.

• Go to the restroom during training.

• Circulate in off-mat areas within the academy. This keeps the training area clean and free of external contaminants.

3. Water Bottle

BJJ training is intense, and hydration is fundamental. You will sweat a lot.

• Stay Hydrated: Have your own water bottle and drink regularly before, during (at breaks), and after training.

• Avoid Sharing: For hygiene reasons, use your own bottle.

4. Small Towel

A towel to wipe sweat from your face and hands during breaks is a matter of comfort and consideration for your training partners.

Optional Gear (But Considered by Many)

As you delve deeper into Jiu-Jitsu, you might consider:

• Ear Guards: To prevent “cauliflower ear,” a thickening of the ear cartilage caused by repeated friction. More common for those who train very frequently and intensely.

• Lightweight Knee/Elbow Pads: If you have sensitive joints or for extra protection during takedowns and ground movements.

• Dedicated Gym Bag: To keep all your BJJ gear organized and separate.

• Specific Hygiene Products: Antiseptic soaps or disinfectant sprays for gear.

What’s NOT Necessary to Start at Brazil 021 Chicago

It’s also important to know what you don’t need to take your first steps:

• To Be an Elite Athlete: Jiu-Jitsu is for all fitness levels. You will improve your physical condition by training.

• Brute Strength: BJJ is the art of leverage and technique. Strength can help, but it doesn’t replace technical knowledge.

• Prior Experience: Our beginner programs in Chicago are designed to teach from scratch.

• An Expensive Designer Gi: To start, a basic, functional Gi is sufficient. The important thing is that it’s clean and fits correctly.

The Right Mindset: Your Most Valuable “Gear”

We reiterate: the correct attitude is more important than any physical item. Come to Brazil 021 Chicago with:

• Humility: To learn and accept being a beginner.

• Patience: Progress takes time.

• Respect: For instructors, teammates, and the art.

• Perseverance: To not give up when facing challenges.

• Open Mind: To absorb new information and concepts.

Getting Prepared With Us in Chicago

At Brazil 021 Chicago, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way, including choosing the right gear. Our goal is to ensure your introduction to BJJ is as positive and smooth as possible. Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions about what to bring for training.

Conclusion: Simplicity to Start, Dedication to Continue

To kickstart your Jiu-Jitsu journey at Brazil 021 Chicago, the essential items are few: an open mindset, appropriate attire for your first class (Gi or No-Gi, as guided), and an unwavering commitment to hygiene. Over time, your kimono (or rash guard and shorts for No-Gi), your belt, and your mouthguard will become your faithful training companions. Remember, the most valuable “equipment” you bring to the mat here in Chicago is your willingness to learn, your resilience, and your respect. The rest, we will help you discover and acquire along the way.