Written by Alexandre Garcia. Read more about the author.
I get this question almost every week. Someone signs up for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu intro class, then spends the next three days Googling gear lists and worrying they’ll show up wrong. By the time they walk through the door, half their mental energy is already gone — spent on questions that didn’t need answering yet.
So let me cut through it. Here’s exactly what you need, what you don’t, and how to think about gear as a new student at Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Sparks before you’ve even tied your first knot in a belt.
For Your First Class, Bring Almost Nothing
Seriously. For a beginner BJJ class or trial session, you need athletic shorts or sweatpants and a fitted t-shirt. That’s it. No rash guard required yet. No gi. No mouthguard, no wrestling shoes, no compression gear. You’re not competing — you’re learning a hip escape on a mat in Sparks, Nevada.
One thing I do recommend from day one: clip your fingernails and toenails short before class. This protects your training partners. It’s a small thing that signals you take the mat seriously, even as a complete beginner. Bring water and a small towel. Arrive five minutes early so you’re not rushed.
Everything else people think they need — the $150 gi, the compression tights, the fancy no-gi shorts with the grappling-specific waistband — that’s for later, once you know you’re staying.
Gi vs. No-Gi: What’s the Difference for Beginners?
This trips up a lot of new students. A gi is the traditional uniform: a thick jacket, pants, and a belt. No-gi means you train in shorts and a rash guard, without the jacket. Both are valid. Both are taught at Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Sparks.
For most adults starting their first BJJ intro session, I suggest trying a no-gi beginner Jiu-Jitsu class first. The movement feels more intuitive without the extra fabric, and you don’t have to buy anything before you’re committed. That said, gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for beginners builds grip strength and technical precision faster — the collar and sleeve grips slow the game down in ways that actually help new students learn.
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation recognizes both formats in competition, but at the intro level, it genuinely doesn’t matter which you start with. What matters is showing up.
When You’re Ready to Buy: Start Simple?
Once you’ve done three or four classes and decided you want to keep training, it’s time to get your own gear. Here’s how I’d prioritize it.
For no-gi: A rash guard and board shorts with no pockets or belt loops. Pockets and loops catch fingers and cause injuries. Brands like Hayabusa, Scramble, and Origin make solid entry-level options. Expect to spend $40–$70 for a rash guard and another $30–$50 for shorts.
For gi training: A single weave or pearl weave gi works fine for beginners. You don’t need a double weave yet — it’s heavier and harder to move in when you’re still learning. A decent entry-level gi runs $70–$120. The IBJJF gi regulations require specific colors for competition (white, blue, or black), so buying one of those three from the start saves you money later.
One note specific to Sparks and the Reno area: our gym is climate-controlled, but summers here hit the high 90s and beyond. If you’re training in July or August, a lighter gi fabric keeps you cooler. A ripstop weave gi is worth considering once you’re past the beginner stage.
Hygiene Gear Matters More Than People Realize
Research from the CDC and NCAA sports medicine programs consistently shows that skin infections spread quickly in contact sports. Ringworm, staph, and impetigo are real concerns on any mat, including ours.
Wash your gi or training clothes after every single session. Shower the same day. Keep a small bottle of Defense Soap or a similar antimicrobial wash in your gym bag. Flip-flops for the bathroom and changing area. These habits protect you and everyone else on the mat.
Private Classes Speed Up Gear Knowledge, Too
If you’re unsure about the technical side of gear — how a gi should fit, how tight your belt should be — private classes are a fast way to get personalized answers. In a group intro setting, instructors cover a lot of ground quickly. One-on-one time lets you ask the questions you’d otherwise hold back.
Check class times on our site to find a session that fits your schedule, whether you’re starting with adults’ group classes or booking something private.
What You’ll Learn Regardless of What You Wear?
No matter what gear you show up in, the first few sessions at a BJJ intro class cover the same ground: basic positions, how to fall safely, fundamental movements like the shrimp and bridge, and the concept of positional hierarchy in BJJ. None of that requires expensive equipment.
Our instructors at agjiujitsu.com have walked hundreds of adults through this exact process. See what our Sparks clients say about their first months on the mat — the consistent theme is that they wished they’d started sooner and stressed less about being ready.
We also serve students throughout the greater Reno-Sparks area and beyond. If you want to explore more about what we offer across northern Nevada, take a look at our Martial Arts – Sparks, NV page or our Reno location information.
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Ready to get on the mat? The intro class at Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Sparks is $30 — and you don’t need to buy a single piece of gear before you come in. Visit us at 5275 Vista Blvd #A-3, Sparks, NV 89436, call (775) 379-9532, or get in touch online. Bring what you have. We’ll handle the rest.
