When I go to Jiu Jitsu class, I want to make sure that I’m comfortable, safe, and clean after training. Having what I need and the ready allows me to focus on training and getting better at Jiu Jitsu. At the basic level, you’ll need a bag for your items, clothing, safety gear, and hygiene items. Additionally, there are some optional items you can bring for uncommon situations. When I have everything I need it makes getting onto the mat easy and cleaning up after training an efficient process. In this article, I will share exactly what I bring to Jiu Jitsu every time.
A high-quality gym bag
To begin with, you’ll need a bag to carry all of your Jiu Jits gear. A high-quality, nice-to-look-at, and easy-to-carry bag is an essential item for Jiu Jitsu training. There are many options including general gym bags and one created specifically for Jiu Jitsu training. When looking for a good Jiu Jitsu bag there are a few factors to consider including durability, size, carry ability, compartments, and ventilation/hygiene capability. Pick a gym bag that fits all of your stuff in it, looks nice, is easy to carry, easy to keep clean, and has compartments to keep things separated and easy to find.
The bag that I currently use is REI’s Big Haul 40 Recycled Duffel Bag. This is the perfect size for what I bring to class, is easy to clean, can convert to a backpack when needed, and has separate compartments for accessories. See my article on picking a good Jiu Jitsu bag:
How to Pick a Good Jiu Jitsu Gym Bag
Clothing
When I train I bring 3 sets of clothing. A change of clothes for after training, a no-gi kit, and my gi kit. I bring gi and no gi kits to every class because you never know when you might need one or the other. I once went to no gi class and we had a surprise guest teacher who only had Gi, so lucky for me I had my gi with me. Other times after class I’ve had teammates ask to help them prep for a gi or no gi comp and having the attire on hand made it not a problem.
Slippers, flip-flops, or slides
Don’t be the guy that has to sneak into the bathroom barefoot because you didn’t bring bathroom slippers. You’ll want a basic pair of slippers for the bathroom and off-the-mat time. I like to bring a pair of flip-flops that are minimal and don’t take much space up in my gym bag. Slides are also nice as they are very easy to put on and off.
I currently use OluKai Ohana Flip Flops. They’re high quality and I use them for every day walking around.
Hand towel or full-sized bath towel
If you’re going to shower at your gym bring a full-sized bath towel. I usually do not shower at my gym after training so I just bring a small hand towel to training. The hand towel comes in great use during training. When I train, I sweat a lot, and the hand towel gets heavy use between rounds and after training.
Water Bottle
A good large water bottle is essential for Jiu Jitsu. Being properly hydrated before, during, and after training is imperative to feel well while training and after training.
How to Hydrate for Jiu Jitsu Training
I like to use a bottle that looks cool, holds a large amount of water, and is insulated to keep my water cool during training. The current bottle that I use is the ThermoFlask Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel 40 oz. water bottle. This is a high-quality steel water bottle that has a minimal design on the outside allowing me to plaster it with Jiu Jitsu stickers.
Mouthguard
I believe that everybody should use a mouthguard while practicing Jiu Jitsu. If it wasn’t for my mouthguard I would have bit my tongue off and lost multiple teeth while training. Fixing teeth is expensive and my mouthguard has saved me this cost thus far in my Jiu Jitsu journey. I’ve caught many accidental knees, elbows, and head butts while training taking them on the chin without issue because of the mouth guard.
Some mouthguards are better than others and getting the right minimal mouthguard for Jiu Jitsu is easier than it has been in the past. In the past, you could only get bulky mouthguards meant for full protection in football. Now there are many options. One of the best options is to get a custom mouthguard fitted by a dentist.
I currently use the SISU Aero mouth guard and mouth guard case. These mouthguards a super minimal and very cost-effective.
Deodorant
Proper personal hygiene is important to your training partners. I bring a stick of deodorant that I use before and after training to keep me smelling fresh for my partners and myself on the way home.
Lint roller
A lint roller is an item that not everybody needs, but I do. I have a Golden Retriever dog and he hairs 100% of the items in my house and clothing. Before putting on my Gi I lint roll it to keep dog hair off the mats and out of my training partners and my mouths.
Bandaids, Tape, and Guaze
Small scrapes and scratches are common in Jiu Jitsu and a small scratch with blood can get all over the mats and other clothing. I like to bring a supply of high-quality bandaids and medical tape for these situations. Tape, Bandaides, and Gauze can be used together to keep a wound closed from contamination while allowing you to continue training. Tape is also used for fingers and joints when needed.
Extra contact lenses and solution
I use contact lenses and wear them when I practice Jiu Jitsu. This usually isn’t a problem, but occasionally I’ll have a limb or a gi scrape across my eye and either knock my contact out or fold it so that I need to remove it and fix it. Having contact solution on hand helps keep the lenses sterilized and able to be put back in if they come out or need to be readjusted. I keep a travel-size solution bottle in my bag for this circumstance. I also keep an extra pair in my bag if I lose one. The last thing I want to do is drive home with one contact.
Food
I’m usually ravished after training Jiu Jitsu and a healthy snack in my bag helps keep me out of the drive-through on the way home. I’ll usually bring a protein bar and Gatorade Zero to have as a post-workout snack on my drive home.
Optional items
- Nail clippers
- Having short nails helps keep you from scratching your partners and getting your nails ripped off when gripping. I usually clip my nails before leaving the house, but having a pair in your bag can help in situations where you forget to clip before class.
- Gum/mouthwash
- Nobody wants to train with a partner who has terrible breath. Gum and mouthwash used before class can help keep your breath minty fresh. I keep a pack of gum in my car and chew a piece during the drive to my gym.
- Hydration supplements
- If you’re a heavy sweater you might need to consider hydration supplements to keep you properly hydrated during training. I use SaltChews and also keep these in my car taking them on the drive to my gym.
- Journal and Pen
- Many practitioners find great benefits in filling out a journal after their training sessions. I like to journal sometimes and usually do it at home on a computer. If you’re a pen-and-paper type of person it might be beneficial to journal at the gym while the experience is fresh in your mind.
- Baby wipes
- Baby wipes are another personal hygiene product that can go a long way in keeping you fresh and clean during and after training. When I was in the military I did not have a proper shower for like three months but did have access to baby wipes. The baby wipes did an amazing job keeping my team and myself clean in the absence of a shower.
- Cup groin protector
- I’ve never personally used a groin protector and in most tournaments you are not allowed to use a cup, but many do use it in training. I’ve taken a few accidental low blows in my training, but nothing serious enough for me to use a cup regularly.
- Headgear
- Most practitioners do not normally wear headgear. I will bring and use a headgear when my ears hurt and are at the beginning phases of cauliflower ear. I use the soft shell style headgear by Matman.
How to Prevent and Treat Cauliflower Ear from Jiu Jitsu Grappling
Summary of what’s in my bag
Having the right stuff for Jiu Jitsu training goes a long way in allowing you the seamless ability to do what’s important, training and getting better a Jiu Jitsu. Hopefully, after reading through the article, you’ll know what you need to bring in your gym bag to make training the focus. Here is a list of all the items I bring.
- REI Big Haul 40L Duffel Bag
- Clothing
- No Gi kit
- Gi kit
- Change of fresh clothes
- OluKai Ohana Flip Flops
- A small hand towel
- ThermoFlask 40 oz. water bottle
- Deodorant
- Lint roller
- Bandaids, Tape, and Guaze
- Sisu mouthguard and case
- Contact solution and extra lenses
- Post-workout snacks