Are you currently weighing your options when it comes to martial arts uniforms?
Common wisdom says that lighter weight martial arts uniforms are great for beginners. And heavier weights are the best choice for more serious and intense training. That’s not wrong. But there are a lot of other factors worth considering when you’re looking for a gi that will suit your training needs and personal preferences.
Let’s take a closer look at those factors. We’ll break down the differences between light, medium, and heavy weight to help you find the perfect fit.
Training Type
“What do I need this for?” is a vital question in many walks of life. Martial arts training is no exception.
When it comes to selecting a martial arts uniform, the very first thing you’ll need to figure out is what type of martial arts training you’ll be doing. This obviously applies to the discipline itself. For example, martial arts that have incorporated the gi into their techniques like Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will often require uniforms with more durable—and grabbable—fabrics. So if you’re going to be doing a lot of grip work, you’ll probably need to focus on heavier weights. Other martial arts might have more flexibility—or even require something lighter.
This question also applies to the type of training you will be doing within a specific discipline, though. If your training is going to involve a lot of sparring, grappling, and contact, it might be a good idea to look for a heavier weight. If your discipline involves a lot of intricate movements, it might be helpful to wear a lighter weight gi that won’t weigh your limbs down or be too distracting. Especially when you’re starting out and getting used to moving your body in such specific and careful ways.
Dojo Rules and Preferences
The perfect gi weight can also vary from gym to gym. So it’s always a good idea to check in with the place you’re training. And it can’t hurt to check in with the people you’ll be learning from, either.
Many gyms have specific guidelines in place for martial arts uniforms. That can involve everything from the color to sleeve length. If you’re not already familiar with your gym’s rules, read them over. See if they include anything about what weights and weaves. It’s also helpful to learn if these are strict policies, or if they’re suggestions. Some instructors might allow a little wiggle room for beginners or people with sensory needs. For example, some BJJ gyms will allow students to wear lighter weight Karate gis when they’re just starting out. But they would strongly recommend that you invest in a heavier weight BJJ gi once you get more experienced.
If you’re brand new to martial arts training and martial arts uniform shopping, we recommend talking to your fellow students, too. Ask them what weights and weaves they prefer and why. Those kind of discussions can also help you figure out exactly what you’re looking for in a gi.
Tournament Rules and Preferences
If tournaments and competitions are part of your short to medium term training goals, you’ll also need to factor that into your gi selection. If there are specific tournaments that you’re interested in, research their rules before you buy. Many tournaments will have certain specifications for sleeve length, pant length, and overall fit. So it’s worth checking to see if they have anything to say about weave or weight, too.
If you don’t have any specific tournaments in mind, it’s still worth looking into a few local events. That can give you a general sense of what you’ll be allowed to wear in competition.
Training Frequency
Once you’ve figured out what types of martial arts uniforms you have to choose from, you can start looking at what kind of gi weight you want.
The first thing to consider here is how often you plan to train—and how hard you plan on going during that training. Light and medium weight gis are great options if you’re planning on training once a week or less. Or if you’ll be doing a lot of lighter intensity training.
Once you get into multiple days a week, you might need to consider something a little thicker and heavier than can survive more regular wear and tear. This goes double if your training involves a lot full or semi-contact sparring or grappling. Or if you’re going to be doing a lot of drills that require a lot mat work, like hip escapes.
Comfort and Sensory Needs
You will also want to consider how different gi weights might feel on your body.
The good news is that every ProForce gi is designed with comfort in mind, too. A martial arts uniform that won’t scratch, rub, or just generally feel weird on you allows you to focus on your training without any extra distractions. And the better you feel in your gear, the better you can perform in it, too.
That said, if you have any sensory concerns above and beyond general comfort, there are two factors that are worth adding to list of consideration.
First, if your skin is particularly sensitive to rougher textures, you might find that you prefer a light or medium weight gi. Heavy weight gis aren’t necessarily rough—and they get softer after a few washes—but they can feel like a little too much if you’re not used to doing a lot of physical movements while wearing thick fabrics.
Second, how do you feel about sweat? If you find sweaty skin distracting or upsetting, a heavy weight gi will help you absorb more of it and keep you from feeling too sticky or clammy. (Wearing a rash guard or t-shirt under your gi top can help soak up a little more, too.) On the other hand, a big, heavy gi top soaked with sweat can feel even heavier and more overwhelming for some people. In those cases, a light or medium weight gi can take care of some excess sweat without feeling too oppressive or claustrophobic.
Personal Style
Once all of your pressing concerns have been addressed, you can start to think about personal taste. Browse AWMA.com’s selection of light weight, medium weight, and heavy weight gis to see which ones look the best to you.
