Gi or no-gi: which should you train first?
The differences in grips, pace and positions, and why training both makes you more well-rounded.
It's an old debate on the mats. The most honest answer is that the two styles complement each other, but starting with the gi has its advantages.
What the gi teaches
Collar and sleeve grips make the match slower and more technical. You learn to control, to be patient and to defend chokes that only exist with cloth.
What no-gi teaches
Without grips, the game gets faster and more slippery. Head control, the underhook, wrestling and leg attacks carry more weight.
The recommendation
For beginners, a base in the gi helps build fundamentals. Later, adding one or two no-gi sessions a week opens up your game and improves your conditioning.
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