What is a Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guard?

Rash guards are among the most widespread clothing options in the jiu-jitsu community. But if you’re just starting jiu-jitsu as a hobby, there’s a chance you don’t know what a rash guard is or why it is worthwhile to wear one.

A rash guard is a tight-fitting shirt made of a flexible material like nylon, spandex, or polyester. Rash guards are a common clothing option during many activities. But they are particularly popular among no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners since rash guards offer a few distinct advantages to grapplers.

Those who have never worn a rash guard while training jiu-jitsu might be unaware of the practical reasons for doing so. This article will reveal what those reasons are and cover a few other rash guard-related questions.

Why Should You Wear a Rash Guard When Training Jiu-Jitsu?

Wearing a rash guard while training no-gi BJJ is not a requirement in most cases. But there are a few potential benefits you’ll enjoy if you do:

• Protection against cuts and infections

• Reduced injury risk

• Less sweat and slipperiness

At first glance, it is surprising to find that a rash guard can offer such positive advantages, but this piece of clothing can have more of an impact on the quality of your training than you might first expect. Read on to learn more about how you stand to gain from wearing a rash guard for jiu-jitsu training.

Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards Protection Against Infections

One of the best outcomes of wearing a rash guard for jiu-jitsu is that you’ll be less prone to skin infections. The mats in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym are often home to microorganisms, including some that commonly cause infections such as ringworm and staph.

Small scrapes and cuts are also common, especially during intense training. But while such wounds are mild and tend to heal quickly, they also make you far more vulnerable to infections. Rash guards act as a protective layer between your skin and the mats, making it less likely that skin breaks and subsequent infections will occur.

A rash guard alone is not enough to keep you safe from infections, but it can help. What’s most important is washing your rash guard and other training clothes immediately after you’re done training. Showering after class and attending a gym that cleans its mats frequently are also crucial to keeping you healthy while you train BJJ.

Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards Keep Muscles Warm

Wearing a jiu-jitsu rash guard can help keep your muscles warm and ready to activate. Staying warm also helps you remain flexible in the strange positions that jiu-jitsu can involve. The risk of injury remains prevalent in jiu-jitsu, but keeping your muscles warm, whether by wearing a rash guard or some other means, generally reduces the chances of a muscle strain.

Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards Provide Friction

One of the most noticeable benefits of wearing a rash guard while training no-gi jiu-jitsu is the friction it provides. If you grapple long enough, you and your training partner will inevitably produce a lot of sweat. As sweat accumulates, it will become increasingly difficult for the two of you to maintain control of your movements.

Sweat makes it much more difficult to grab your opponent, drastically reducing the effectiveness of many grappling techniques. Excessive sweat can also make the mats slick, which can lead to injury, especially if you suddenly lose your footing from a standing position.

Slipperiness is especially common in no-gi jiu-jitsu when both practitioners are wearing t-shirts or grappling bare-chested. Rash guards help absorb sweat, increasing friction and control during drilling and sparring. 

When Should You Wear a Rash Guard for Jiu-Jitsu?

You can wear a rash guard during daily Brazilian jiu-jitsu training and in most competitions. Rash guards are also useful in both gi and no-gi situations. Below, we’ll outline how to wear a rash guard in each of those scenarios. 

Wearing a Rash Guard for Gi Jiu-Jitsu

Many jiu-jitsu practitioners wear rash guards underneath their gi jackets. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi is a martial arts uniform consisting of heavy fabrics which can cause abrasions to unprotected skin. The rash guard also protects your gi from the sweat you produce while you grapple.

Wearing a Rash Guard for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

Some no-gi grapplers wear nothing other than a rash guard on their upper body, and others will layer a t-shirt on top of their rash guards. Still, other grapplers choose to wear no rash guard at all. The decision of whether or not to wear a rash guard is entirely up to you.

What Makes for a Good Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guard?

There are several types of rash guards you can buy, each of which is often suited to a certain activity. Overall, the best rash guards for jiu-jitsu have lightweight materials, strong stitching, and multiple fabric panels. 

Lightweight Material

The best materials for a Brazilian jiu-jitsu rash guard are lightweight and flexible. If you choose a rash guard that is too thick or you will likely overheat during training, and it may be difficult for you to maintain your full range of motion. Instead, look for rash guards made of spandex, nylon, or polyester. 

Strong Stitching

Any clothing you wear for jiu-jitsu must be durable. The strength of your rash guard’s stitching determines how well it will hold up during training. Choose rash guards that have strong seams and a reputation for longevity.

Multiple Fabric Panels

Shirts and rash guards consist of individual pieces of fabric. We won’t delve into the details of clothing design here. For now, all you need to know is that the more fabric panels your rash guard has, the better. When rash guards consist of more fabric panels, they tend to have a better fit and allow for greater mobility. 

Conclusion

Once you know what a rash guard is and how it can benefit a jiu-jitsu practitioner, you’ll probably want to add a few to your training wardrobe. If you do, you’ll lower your risk of injury and infection while raising the control you have over your movements, all of which will help you train more effectively and for longer.