What to Wear to Your First BJJ Class

Your first BJJ class is about showing up and learning, not having the right gear. Most gyms are relaxed about what beginners wear. Here’s what you actually need and what can wait.

If Your Gym Trains in the Gi

Most traditional BJJ gyms train in a gi (the kimono-style uniform). For your very first class, you have two options:

Option 1: Borrow or buy a gi. Many gyms lend gis to first-timers, so ask when you sign up. If you’d rather buy one, a budget gi in the $50-70 range is all you need to start. The Sanabul Essentials or Tatami Elements Superlite are solid first gis that won’t break the bank.

Option 2: Wear athletic clothing. If you don’t have a gi yet, wear a t-shirt (not loose or baggy) and board shorts or athletic shorts without pockets or zippers. Most gyms will let you train in this for your first class or trial period. Avoid anything with buttons, zippers, or metal; they scratch your training partners and catch on fabric.

Underneath the gi, wear a rashguard or fitted t-shirt and compression shorts or athletic underwear. The gi jacket opens during rolling, so having a layer underneath matters.

If Your Gym Trains No-Gi

No-gi classes don’t use the traditional kimono. You’ll need:

Rashguard (compression top): A fitted, stretchy top that won’t ride up or give your partners anything to grab. Short sleeve or long sleeve both work.
Grappling shorts or spats: Board shorts without pockets work fine for your first class. Compression leggings (spats) are common too, worn alone or under shorts.

Avoid: loose t-shirts (they’ll end up over your head), basketball shorts with pockets (fingers get caught), and anything cotton that will get heavy with sweat.

What to Bring

Water bottle. You’ll need it.
Towel. Small hand towel for between rounds.
Flip-flops or slides. Wear them to and from the mat. Never walk barefoot in the bathroom or locker room, then step on the mat. This is how skin infections spread.
Hair ties. If your hair is long enough to get in someone’s face, tie it back.

What to Leave at Home

Shoes. BJJ is trained barefoot. No exceptions.
Jewelry. Remove all rings, necklaces, earrings, watches, and bracelets before class. They’re a safety hazard for you and your partners.
Ego. Everyone gets tapped when they’re new. It’s part of the process.

Hygiene Basics

This matters more than what you wear:

Trim your nails. Fingernails and toenails. Long nails scratch and cut your training partners. This is the fastest way to annoy everyone in the room.
Shower before class if you can, or at minimum put on fresh clothes.
Wash your gi or training clothes after every session. Not every other session. Every single one.
No strong cologne or perfume. You’re going to be very close to people’s faces.

Don’t Overthink It

The most important thing you can wear to your first BJJ class is a willingness to learn. Nobody is judging your gear. Everyone in that room showed up for their first class in something, and most of them can’t remember what it was.

If you want to invest in proper gear after your first few classes, check out our best BJJ gi guide for recommendations at every price point.