Benefits to training with the Gi

[Shannon de Souza]

Wanted to pose this question to everyone.

A small club just opened not even 10 minutes from my house and one of my greatest training challenges is that I'm not getting enough mat time. The catch is that the club is all BJJ and with the gi on the days I'm free. When I get a chance to train with Coach Zog or Coach Stew its like an avalanche of incredibly useful information is presented but I feel like I'm only absorbing a limited amount because I can't rep what I'm seeing enough.

Really interested to hear what instructors and senior members' opinion on training with the gi is. Beneficial? Counterproductive? A good compromise? I know that Avi still does a lot of training with the gi if the Submission 101 videos are any indication.

If I train with this local club I get 2 nights a week BJJ instruction with rolling and then I can still spend time with Coach Stew every other week and Coach Zog once a month. All of a sudden my Jiu Jitsu IQ increases exponentially with the increased mat time.

Thoughts?? Eddie it would be fantastic if you could offer your thoughts (time permitting).

[Michael Sioda]

Hey Shannon - I'm in the same boat. I'm competing in Charlotte's HGC soon & the school that I like to train at here has only a few no-gi classes/week. To increase my mat time I'm taking gi classes too & I feel like it still contributes to my game (and defnitely my cardio).

I think training in the gi helps build grip strength in a unique way that really is helpful in no-gi too. I just don't spend any time trying to be offensive with gi-chokes or sweeps since I am focused on no-gi grappling.

[Mike Dewitt Jr]

Do it.

[Eric Perez]

any time on the mat is gonna help. seems like you answered your own question

[bobby rivers]

Gi vs nogi is irrelevant when the other option is the couch.

[Kovar]

The school I am at only trains gi but I practice techniques as though the gi weren't there. If anything, I like training in the gi because it is like running with weighted ankles and vests. Once you take them off you run like a maniac!

[DBK]

[David Rosado]

Gi vs nogi is irrelevant when the other option is the couch.

this

[Greg W]

Definatly do it. Use it for what it is. It does slow things down a little so you can use the time to look at openings and options that you might otherwise miss during a faster no-gi roll. You also can't typically use brute strenght to explode out of certain positions, this can help you focus on refining escape techniques. I'm sure a lot of MG's awsome game is attributed in no small part to his years of gi training, and Eddie has put in his time in a gi, do you think they were hurt by there time spent in a gi? Probably not.

[Charlemange August K.]

better to train in both. so do all training as much as possible