What to Keep in Your Jiu Jitsu Bag | What You Need to Start Jiu Jitsu

When it comes to gear for jiu jitsu, you might want to keep it simple with the bare essentials. Or you might want to overprepare, so you feel ready to tackle anything that happens in the day.

At any rate, it can be challenging to pin down exactly what you need to bring to your BJJ class.

If you’re headed to your first training session and aren’t sure how to prepare, this post covers everything you need to know about which essentials to keep on hand.

1. Extra Clothing

As women, we have different jiu jitsu clothing needs than men. And when you’re training no-gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it’s worth your time to bring some options.

Extra clothing is nice because sometimes you get to the gym, put on a rashguard, and find out that you’re just not feeling it that day. Being comfortable and confident on the mat is vital, and that’s why it’s great to bring a change of clothes.

With that in mind, here are some staples to bring with you to class:

• Rashguards
• Sports bra
• Shorts
• Leggings
• A gi and belt, if you have one

All in all, you’ll want a variety of choices for your base layers, but you’ll want to stay away from cotton clothes and opt for quick drying materials.

The only downside of bringing multiple options is if you put dirty clothes back in your bag after training, you’ll have to wash all the gear that it touches. One easy way around this is to put all your sweat-soaked gear in a plastic bag to keep it separate from the rest of your stuff.

2. Water, Water, Water!

Water: you’re going to need it, and you’re going to want it. Jiu jitsu can be extremely dehydrating and exhausting, especially after an hour or two on the mats.

Keeping your body hydrated makes sure you’ll perform your best and recover well after your session.

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3. Mouthguard

Mouthguards can protect your teeth, lips, and gum from impact and injuries on the mat. And while you might not expect to get hit in the face during a class, accidents can happen!

Sometimes, mouthguards are the one thing protecting your jaw or teeth from damage. That’s why it’s best to keep one in your bag whenever you can.

4. Hygiene Products

If your gym has a shower, you might want to pack some of your favorite shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer. It’s also not a bad idea to also include nail clippers and period protection such as a menstrual cup or period-proof underwear, just in case.

On top of that, you might want to bring extra hair ties with you. (These ones are awesome for preventing hair breakage.)

5. Tape and Band-Aids

Not every BJJ practitioner uses tape and band-aids, but they’re handy in case of wounds and other injuries.

For instance, it’s easy to cut up your knuckles from holding a grip. Or, if you find yourself with a surprise injury, you’ll want to have the right supplies to patch it up.

6. Microfiber Towels

A good rule of thumb is to bring a microfiber towel in your bag, especially if you aren’t sure whether a new gym offers their own towels.

It’s also a good idea to keep your towel in an impermeable bag, so it doesn’t get dirty. (After all, you don’t want to be drying yourself with a bacteria-ridden towel every day!)

7. Carry a Small Bag for Your Jewelry

If you have piercings, rings, or necklaces that you like to wear, you’ll need to take them off before you get onto the mat.

With that in mind, it’s a great idea to bring a designated purse or small bag for your jewelry so that you don’t lose anything while you’re at training.

Bring the Right Gear to Your Jiu Jitsu Class

Everything covered in this post is nice to have on hand, but sometimes you need to get out the door in a hurry, and all you’ll grab is your clothes and water.

And that’s okay — you can always ask a friend for extra supplies if you find yourself in need. Just try to remember the basics when you can. And after a while, it’ll become second nature to bring everything you need.