Martial arts have been popular with people for a long time now. Protective apparel and gear contribute significantly to your learning and growth as a practitioner, no matter what form you pick, such as MMA or BJJ. Suppose you train in BJJ. It’s a close-contact combat sport involving many ground and grappling techniques. Hence, you would depend on mouth and rash guards to save yourself from mat burns and grappling injuries. But do you need a rash guard across all the BJJ formats? Or is there an exception? Let’s delve into these aspects for clarity.
- Rash Guards
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) competitors wear rash guards for skin protection from rashes induced by contact with opponents and the mat. BJJ requires grappling moves instead of space, which is crucial in boxing. Hence, protecting the skin becomes necessary due to the nature of the combat. Jiu-jitsu rash guards can help avoid or minimize the risks of skin irritation, infection, and chafing. Some practitioners can appear in t-shirts for training. However, wearing something explicitly designed for combat sports can be more helpful. You can wear them in no-Gi BJJ tournaments. For Gi BJJ competitions, you will require kimono-style clothing called Gis. You cannot wear rash guards.
- The benefits of wearing rash guards
High-activity combat sports like BJJ cause profuse sweating during training. Due to excess moisture, skin can become irritated or catch infection. However, premium-quality rash guard fabrics can handle the sweat by wicking it so your body remains dry. During workouts, body temperature sometimes becomes unstable, which can harm fighters. However, the lightweight fabrics can prevent overheating. The tight yet comfortable fit of the cloth ensures optimum muscle support. It compresses the muscles without hindering the fighter’s agility. Muscle compression can easily withstand the impact of chokeholds, grabs, and mounts. One can also wear a rash guard to show respect for the opponent and prevent sweat transfer. It will make your competition or fight hygienic.
- Can t-shirts replace rash guards?
Some people wear t-shirts, but rash guards are the best to consider for various reasons. The sweat control or wicking mechanism can be absent in t-shirts. As a result, there will be a risk of infection or irritation. Rash guards offer muscle compression benefits. It shields skin from the impact caused by contact with a mat or competitor. T-shirts miss this trait. When you wear a proper rash guard, your body feels at ease. You don’t feel the same way with t-shirts. You will be highly uncomfortable in this garment when you sweat. You get full-sleeve and half-sleeve options in rash guards. Shop for them from a trusted martial arts store for product authenticity and fitting. You can pair rash guards with spats, the lower body garments that cover legs, keeping them comfortable.
If you want to learn a combat sport like BJJ, gather all the essentials, including clothes and other protective gear. Appropriate attire will help you adopt techniques better and ward off injuries. Online stores provide an excellent collection. You can check their stock for an idea.
