Frequently Asked Questions
“Where can I buy those jiu jitsu pyjamas you all wear?”
”Can I park my tractor outside the gym?”
”Is it ok to heel hook someone in a Gi?”
There are lots of questions we get asked all the time about Jiu Jitsu, so we thought we would try and clear some of them up for you here. If there’s anything we haven’t answered that your wondering about please send us an email and we will get straight back to you
The word 'Ju' means gentle and 'Jutsu' means art, so Jiu-Jitsu is essentially the gentle art. Its origins can be traced back to Buddhist monks in India 4,000 years ago. After a global explosion following UFC 1, where it was used to great effect by Royce Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu has become the fastest-growing martial art worldwide. Predominantly fought on the ground, the main focus is that a smaller, weaker person can defeat a larger, stronger opponent with technique and leverage.
A Gi is the uniform worn during Jiu-Jitsu, consisting of a jacket, trousers, and a belt, designed to withstand regular training. The term 'Gi' comes from the Japanese 'Keikogi'—'Keiko' means practice, and 'Gi' means dress. You don't need a Gi initially, but we can guide you when you're ready to buy one. No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is practiced in shorts and a rash guard, without gripping clothing, making for a fast and dynamic roll.
Whilst some of the rules may seem a little unusual they are all based around safety and hygiene.
No shoes on the mats! This is super important. Our shoes carry all sorts of bacteria and we don’t want to put that bacteria on the mats and subsequently on our skin.
When stepping off the mats always have shoes or flip flops on (especially in the bathroom).
Do not turn up barefoot.
Always have a clean Gi… unfortunately it’s not like a wetsuit you cant just throw it on the line and grab it when you need it again. Always wash your gi straight after training to minimise build-up of bacteria. Always wash yourself before and after
Personal Hygiene is a must, DO NOT show up smelly, wash before training if you need to, clip your toe nails and finger nails, and always wash your Gi and No-Gi equipment. Ringworm and Staff infections breed in un-sanitised environments.