Question 1

What is No-Gi BJJ?

Accepted Answer

Brazilian jiu-jitsu trained in shorts and a rash guard rather than a kimono. Because there's no fabric to grip, control comes from body positioning, underhooks, head position and pressure instead of collar and sleeve grips. The result is faster, more scrambly grappling that transfers directly into MMA and into any situation where nobody is conveniently wearing a heavy jacket. It's also the easiest combat sport to start safely, because you can train at full resistance from early on without absorbing strikes.

Question 2

Do you also train in the gi?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Men's Gi BJJ runs on Saturday at 11:00. Everything else on the grappling timetable is no-gi. The two complement each other well: gi training tends to sharpen your patience, grip fighting and defensive detail, while no-gi rewards pace, pressure and scrambling. You don't need to choose one, and you certainly don't need to buy a gi to start with us. If you want to try the Saturday session later on, ask a coach before buying one so you get the right size and weight.

Question 3

I've never grappled. Which class should I attend?

Accepted Answer

Monday at 20:15 is our adults beginners-to-intermediate No-Gi BJJ session and it's the best starting point. You'll be shown the basic positional hierarchy — guard, half guard, side control, mount, back — and how to escape from underneath, which is realistically what your first few months are about. Ladies can also start in the Thursday 19:30 or Sunday 10:00 ladies No-Gi BJJ sessions. In all cases, tell the coach it's your first class and they'll pair you with someone who'll teach rather than compete.

Question 4

Do I need a rash guard?

Accepted Answer

It's the most useful first purchase, but you don't need one to start. A fitted t-shirt and shorts without pockets, zips or drawstring toggles are perfectly fine for your first sessions. A rash guard is worth buying once you're training regularly because it reduces skin friction, keeps mats cleaner and simply lasts longer than cotton. Short nails and no jewellery matter more than kit does — both are about your training partners' safety as much as your own.

Question 5

Is BJJ safe to train?

Accepted Answer

Trained properly, yes, and it's the safest way to train hard against genuine resistance. The mechanism is simple: submissions are applied progressively, you tap the moment you're caught, and your partner releases immediately. Nobody is trying to injure anybody, and everyone in the room relies on the same rule. Coaches supervise rolling, pair people by size and experience, and step in when intensity creeps up. Tell the coach about any neck, knee or shoulder problems before you start and positions will be adjusted accordingly.

Question 6

Are there women's grappling sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Ladies No-Gi BJJ runs on Thursday at 19:30 and Sunday at 10:00, both coached by Laura, a Carlson Gracie purple belt. They're women-only sessions with a woman coach, which for a lot of people removes the main barrier to trying grappling at all. Beginners and more experienced women train together and are paired sensibly. Women are also very welcome in the mixed adult BJJ classes, and several of our members train in both — the ladies sessions are an option, not a restriction.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in Reading

What brazilian jiu-jitsu training involves

What you'll learn

Two ways to train the same art

A recognised BJJ belt pathway

Beginner guidance

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sessions this week

Who teaches this

Hamza Mirza

Luke

Laura

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu questions

Related disciplines

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Try brazilian jiu-jitsu in Reading