Rash guards are a must-have for any BJJ practitioner. They not only protect your skin from mat burns and other injuries, but they also help to keep you cool and comfortable during training. So, why wear a rash guard in BJJ? There are plenty of reasons, but here are just a few: 1. To prevent mat burns and other injuries. 2. To keep you cool and comfortable during training. 3. To show off your BJJ pride! (Okay, maybe that's not the most important reason, but it is a bonus!) 4. To help prevent getting ringworm or other communicable viruses. 5. To show belt rank and represent your academy. 6. To protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays (yes, even indoors). 7. To not get a dose of slimy sweat from your opponent while training! YUK! 8 Rash guards can also help prevent you from cooling down too fast. 9. And last but not least, to look good while doing it! What kind of communicable viruses can a rash guard help prevent you from getting? Some communicable viruses that a rash guard can help to prevent include: - Ringworm - Staph infection - Herpes simplex virus - Influenza - Human papillomavirus (HPV) - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) So, not only can rash guards help to prevent mat burns and other injuries, but they can also help keep you from getting sick! That's definitely a good enough reason to make sure you always wear one when training BJJ.
What are rash guards in BJJ made of? Most rash guards are made from a polyester and spandex blend. This material is stretchy and comfortable, yet durable enough to stand up to the rigors of BJJ training. The fabric is also breathable, which helps to keep you cool and comfortable during even the most intense training sessions. Rash guards come in a variety of colors, designs, and sizes. You can find ones that represent your favorite BJJ academy or that show off your belt rank. Or, you can simply choose one that looks cool and makes you feel good when you wear it. Why IBJJF does not allow you to wear a rash guard? The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) does not allow the use of rash guards in competition (Gi only). The reason for this is that rash guards can give competitors an unfair advantage. For example, a competitor may be able to slide out of an opponent's grip more easily if they are wearing a rash guard. So, while you can't wear a rash guard in IBJJF competition, you should definitely make sure to always wear one when training. There are too many benefits to rash guards to ignore, so make sure you always have one handy the next time you hit the mat! Train Safe (and maybe with a rash guard) Matthew Tropp - BJJ Report