Why I Hate Gis

As I mentioned in "Jits", the traditional wear for Jiu Jitsu is the gi (guh-ee, gee, no "j" sound) I don't care for the gi mostly because it takes away from the purity of fighting- it levels the playing field between heavier, stronger fighters and lighter, weaker fighters. I'm not saying I want to strip down and grease up like a gladiator but you don't see MMA fighters wearing anything but gloves and shorts.

The gi levels the playing field. It's easier to grab and hold onto. Weaker fighters can gain limb control by grabbing sleeves or pant legs. And they can get easy chokes by grabbing collars. This works to the advantage of smaller guys like myself (5'8" 160) but doesn't help answer the question that we're all here to answer, "Who can kick whose butt?"


It gets messed up. It's not the simplest piece of clothing you own. The pants have a drawstring, no fly. If you have to pee in the middle of practice, it's a 5 minute endeavor. The top opens up like a blazer and is cinched off by a belt (white, blue, black etc.) that denotes your skill level. The sides of the top get all messed up and come out of the belt. The belt is 4-5 cm wide and is tied in a square knot and comes undone frequently. You probably spend a total of 5 minutes per practice just pulling down each side and re-tightening the belt. Not that appearance is important, but you don't want flaps and belts all over the place. How is your opponent supposed to choke you when your jacket isn't tucked into your belt? It's just bad form.

It's hot. Kevlar cotton is not thin. Crazy sweat. Absorptive at least.

One major advantage to the gi is that it is basically indestructible. Dudes weighing several hundred pounds grab, twist, and pull on it for hours without a tear. The textile developers who created the gi definitely know what's up. You may have spent $80 on that gi but you're not going to tear your favorite Hard Rock Orlando shirt or throwback UNC basketball shorts.

Another MAJOR advantage is that you look like Ryu from Street Fighter. I haven't cut the sleeves off or gotten red gloves yet but I have 11 months until the next Halloween. I will be shoryuken-ing and haduken-ing people left and right.

Keep training,
LSF

Jits

My Christmas lights are freshly strung up, I just made a grand return to the free-weight section of my gym, I have a beer in my Hofbrauhaus stein, and I'm hopped up on some major yogaphetamines. It is definitely time to get writing about the next great endeavor.

Drum roll please. It is a sport that needs no introduction. It is a sport and an art developed in the beautiful country of Brazil but derived from a predecessor in Japan. The most reliable encyclopedic website on the internet (and ever known to mankind) describes it as, "a martial art, a combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling, especially ground fighting." The scholarly article continues, "It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique- most notably by applying joint-locks and choke holds to defeat the other person."

That hobby/sport/fighting style/way of life is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, BJJ, JITS. The sport of grappling with other people that ends in one of two ways - tap out or pass out. No punching, no kicking, no biting, just good old fashioned strangling and joint breaking. Sounds wonderful. Why am I doing this?

Fine Grandpa we can go to Red Lobster at 4! Geeeez

Learning to fight increases safety: Although hand to hand combat has not been a totally relevant skill since the invention of the pointy stick, you've got a drop on bad guys if you ever find yourself in a mugging/a-hole situation. BJJ is not about seeing who can put whom on his back or get the throw, it's about putting someone in the hospital or making them quit.

Low(er) risk of injury than other styles: There will be days when I get home from the gym and feel like doodoo because I either pushed too hard or got my butt kicked over and over. But when compared to sports like MMA or Muay Thai kickboxing, BJJ is well controlled. Just tap and you're no longer at risk.

Cardio and resistance at the same time: Aside from kickbox sparring, I have never been more tired in my life than when I was fighting to keep my arm from getting broken off or my windpipe from getting closed shut. On the mat you are constantly totally occupied, mentally and physically... Like CrossFit if the kettlebells and barbell were trying to kill you.

Kicking butt is confidence: When you tap 50 times, you've got 50 mistakes to learn from and are a better person for it. When you make 50 people tap, you'll have some major mojo outside of the dojo.

Awesome gear: Nothing looks more studly than wearing a kimono with a colored belt that tells people how far you've progressed with your fighting style. NOT. I can't stand wearing a gi. I understand that the pure form of the sport demands it but chances are the fighters would look better in something other than geisha garb.


Anyway, I'm just dipping my toe to begin with. If it works out, I'll keep with it. Motivation, improvement, and injury avoidance will be key factors. You'll get updates.

Keep training,
LSF

PS: If you got all the way through that Ace Ventura 2 clip then BJJ is the sport for YOU. I know for a fact that there is no hold in the world that will make you tap out.