Both are Brazilian jiu-jitsu — but they look and feel different on the mat. Here's the honest breakdown from a Fullerton academy that trains no-gi exclusively.
Gi jiu-jitsu is trained in the traditional uniform (the “gi” or kimono) and lets you grip the collar, sleeves and pants. No-gi jiu-jitsu is trained in a rash guard and shorts — no uniform to grab, so you control the body itself with underhooks, wrist control and grips on the limbs. Same art, same submissions; different grips and a faster pace. At 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Fullerton we train the no-gi 10th Planet system founded by Eddie Bravo, six days a week.
| Gi BJJ | No-Gi BJJ | |
|---|---|---|
| What you wear | Kimono / gi (you buy one) | Rash guard + shorts (nothing special to buy) |
| Grips | Collar, sleeves, pants + the body | The body only — underhooks, wrist & ankle control |
| Pace | Slower, more grip-fighting and control | Faster, more scrambles and movement |
| Carries over to | Sport BJJ, tradition, slower control | MMA, wrestling, self-defense, modern competition |
The 10th Planet system was built from the ground up for no-gi. Because you can't rely on the gi's friction and grips, the system leans on body-lock control, leg entanglements and a connected, athletic style. New to it? Our beginner program starts you with the core positions before you ever spar hard, and your first class is free.
Gi jiu-jitsu is trained in a uniform you can grip (collar, sleeves, pants); no-gi is trained in a rash guard and shorts, so you grip the body directly. The art and submissions are the same, but no-gi is faster and grip-free. 10th Planet Fullerton trains no-gi exclusively.
Both teach the same fundamentals, so either works. No-gi is the easier on-ramp because there's no gi to buy and the pace mirrors wrestling and self-defense. At 10th Planet Fullerton your first no-gi class is free and beginners are genuinely welcome.
No. We train 100% no-gi, so all you need is a rash guard and shorts. There's no $100+ gi to buy, and one membership covers every class.
Yes — no-gi is the closest to MMA and real-world self-defense because nobody is wearing a uniform to grab. The 10th Planet system was built for exactly that, emphasizing body control, scrambles and submissions without the gi.