For a no-gi class, wear a rashguard (a snug athletic top) and grappling shorts or spats with no pockets, zippers, or buttons — anything that can catch a finger or toe is a hazard for both of you. For a gi class, most academies will lend or rent you a gi for your first session, so you do not need to buy one before you have even tried it.
Take off all jewelry, watches, and piercings before stepping on the mat. Skip makeup, heavy lotions, and strong cologne. Do not wear your street shoes onto the mat, and do not show up to grapple with a cold or a skin infection — it spreads fast in close contact, so stay home and heal first.
BJJ Gyms is an independent directory, not a gym. We feature 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu as our recommended no-gi system. Always take a free trial and vet any academy yourself before committing.
No. Most academies lend or rent a gi for your trial. Try a few classes before investing in your own, so you learn what size and style actually fits how you train.
A rashguard is strongly preferred over a loose t-shirt, which gets grabbed, stretched, and tangled. Athletic shorts without pockets or zippers are fine for a first class if you do not have grappling shorts yet.
Trim fingernails and toenails short before every class. Long nails scratch and cut training partners and are one of the most common (and avoidable) etiquette mistakes beginners make.