Cheap temporary alternatives for a Gi?

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 2:26am

HI guys,

I really want to be training BJJ/Wrestling a lot more regularly but as I am unemployed and studying, I cant really afford more than one gi. Since I will be training between 4 -5 times a week.

I cant be wearing the same gi or clothes every day. I sweat like a monster. Since I am doing wrestling and BJJ, I thought someone might have a temporary alternative idea, till I get some cash to buy the right stuff. My BJJ instructor is cool with me wearing whatever just as long as I come along.

I was wearing just a cotton t-shirt and short Thai fishermans pants but I got major mat burn which really hampered training.

I was thinking that others have probably been in this position before.

I am in Perth, Australia, so there is no real cheap Gi options.

**Rene "Zendokan" Gysenbergs** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 2:56am

Judo gi's!

If you know someone who is training Judo, it can become even cheaper. A lot of clubs have good deals through their NGB worldwide for cheap Judo gi's, especially if you buy single-weaven Judo gi's instead of the competition gi's.

For example: here a BJJ gi is from €80 to €180, while a competition Judo gi is €80 and the cheap whites ones through a club is €50.
But wash the cheap whites in cold water (washmachine) and don't throw them into a tumbler dryer or you can give them to your 12y old cousin.

Hope that this helps.

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 3:05am

Cheers Zendo, good idea.

Unfortunately I dont know anyone learning Judo. I will give the local Judo club a call, see what they say.

When I said cheap, I was thinking like Kmart cheap, I was going to duck down to the local shopping centre and see if they had any long sleeve, sports shirts or something like that with a bit of weight just to get me through the next few months.

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 3:36am

Just rang the Judo club. I can get a Judo gi for 60 -65 AUD (depends on how many I buy) = €50

**Rene "Zendokan" Gysenbergs** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 3:47am

The first two years that I did BJJ and Judo, I only wore these ones.
The cut is a little different:
- the jackets are a little bit longer to prevent them from being pulled out from underneath the belt
- the opening of the sleeves is a little bit bigger, because it's illegal to grap in the sleeves with Judo.
but all by all a great alternative for BJJ gi's if you need more than one and are on a budget.

I kept the expensive gi's for competition only.

***jnp*** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 11:04am

Originally Posted by Auszi

HI guys,

I really want to be training BJJ/Wrestling a lot more regularly but as I am unemployed and studying, I cant really afford more than one gi. Since I will be training between 4 -5 times a week.

I cant be wearing the same gi or clothes every day. I sweat like a monster. Since I am doing wrestling and BJJ, I thought someone might have a temporary alternative idea, till I get some cash to buy the right stuff. My BJJ instructor is cool with me wearing whatever just as long as I come along.

I was wearing just a cotton t-shirt and short Thai fishermans pants but I got major mat burn which really hampered training.

I was thinking that others have probably been in this position before.

I am in Perth, Australia, so there is no real cheap Gi options.

Q: What does this have to do with martial fighting technique?

A: Nothing.

Then why the heck did you post it in a technique forum? It's quite simple really, if the subject of your thread has nothing to do with technique, then don't post it in the technical areas.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 11:07am

My eskrima instructor was telling me that back when he was training karate in the PI when he was a young man, they made gis out of rice sacs, so the inside of their gis had the rice brand all over. Said they were actually sturdier than the manufactured gis they could get.

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 11:20am

Originally Posted by jnp

Q: What does this have to do with martial fighting technique?

A: Nothing.

Then why the heck did you post it in a technique forum? It's quite simple really, if the subject of your thread has nothing to do with technique, then don't post it in the technical areas.

These two threads are in the basic technique forum:

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=75871

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=108682

Which is why I posted it there.

Thanks again Zendo, I will probably get a pair the next few days.

And Permalost, I lack the tailoring skills to produce something like that, I could just rock up in a sack, arms cut out, dont know how that would go down though.

**Zod** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 11:38am

Do you know someone with a sewing machine? Gi's seem like they're a super simple pattern.

**jspeedy** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 1:40pm

If you can't buy a GI barter for one with someone in your club. One of the guys is bound to have an old one around they don't need or use. Trade something for it or offer to do some work; car wash, mow lawns, ect.