The Best Gis for Short, Stocky, Or Muscular BJJ Athletes

Finding a gi that fits seems like it should be easy based on the measurements listed on many BJJ and MMA retailer websites, but short and stocky jiu-jitsu athletes know that this is often easier said than done. 

Jiu-jitsu athletes that are wider or more muscular often find that their gis are tight around areas like the shoulders, chest, thighs, and glutes. This can restrict movement, cause discomfort, and even cause the gi to rip. While some BJJ students and coaches are able to simply order a size up and see their problem fixed, many others then end up with a gi that’s way too long… and still too tight. 

The best solution for thicker BJJ practitioners is to purchase a jiu-jitsu gi that accommodates their stocky stature, and we’re here to help. Here are five of the best gi brands for grapplers who need a little more room to grow. And of course, if you have the opposite problem when searching for gis, make sure you check out our recommendations for the best gis for skinnier and leaner athletes. 

Rainha Fightwear Combines Fierceness & Femininity For A Perfect Fit

Searching for jiu-jitsu gear as a woman in BJJ can be frustrating at best and impossible at worst. While the selection of women’s BJJ Gis and rashguards has greatly improved over recent years, many athletes still struggle to find gear that’s specifically made to fit a woman’s body without being pink all over and covered in flowers or butterflies. Of course, that’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with letting your feminine flag fly on the mats, but many women also wanted options that were somewhere in the middle — the perfect combination of feminine and fierce, something that they felt embodied the fighting spirit they put forth during their training time. And a UK-based BJJ brand has delivered just that.

Rainha Fightwear, owned and founded by partners Josie White and Jon Wellstead, has been making itself known as a shop that operates with BJJ women in mind. The company offers a selection of training gear from gis to rashguards to sports bras to spats, plus everyday apparel and even finger tape. Their eye-catching designs are bold and empowering, evoking thoughts of goddesses and wild cats. They’re elegant without feeling dainty and feminine without feeling frilly.

We at GiReviews have been fans of Rainha for some time, particularly after getting the opportunity to take one of their early gi models for a test roll. Given that our only complaint about the gi was the fit, which was just a bit too short, we’re happy to see that they’ve since updated the fit on their newer model. Everything else about the gi was, well, everything you’d want in a gi. The style — predominantly black with gold and white details — is very aesthetically pleasing, with their minimalistic stitched-on floral logo being just the right touch to elevate the look of this gi.

While the first model is no longer available, you can purchase the updated version of the original Rainha gi in black here, or in olive here.

2021 Guide: How to Wash and Shrink Your BJJ Gi 101

Properly washing your gi for jiu-jitsu is one of the most important skills you have to learn in BJJ, even though this process doesn’t take place on the mats. Having a gi that smells nice isn’t just important for avoiding being labeled as “the Stinky Gi Student” – it’s also crucial for keeping yourself and your teammates free from harmful bacteria that can linger on sweat-soaked fabric.

Your washing machine can serve another purpose for your gi as well, though. If your new gi is too big, there are also steps you can take to shrink it as you clean it. If you want to make sure you’re washing and shrinking your gi correctly – or if you want to avoid shrinking a gi that already fits you – take a look at our tips below:

Must Read: Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) Gi Buying Guide

Top 5 Concepts for the BJJ Beginner 

The first month of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for beginners is a tough pill to swallow. A steep learning-curve both physically and mentally keep the number of dedicated practitioners relatively small, but getting over those first few hurdles can change your life in an infinite number of ways.

The best part is, you won’t always be the newbie! We can’t make the process painless, but we can give you a few crucial tips to make your time as designated shark bait a bit more enjoyable. Here are a few concepts to consider!

2021 Guide: How to Wash and Shrink Your BJJ Gi 101

Properly washing your gi for jiu-jitsu is one of the most important skills you have to learn in BJJ, even though this process doesn’t take place on the mats. Having a gi that smells nice isn’t just important for avoiding being labeled as “the Stinky Gi Student” – it’s also crucial for keeping yourself and your teammates free from harmful bacteria that can linger on sweat-soaked fabric.

Your washing machine can serve another purpose for your gi as well, though. If your new gi is too big, there are also steps you can take to shrink it as you clean it. If you want to make sure you’re washing and shrinking your gi correctly – or if you want to avoid shrinking a gi that already fits you – take a look at our tips below:

Must Read: Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) Gi Buying Guide

Nine Lives Kitsune

Nine Lives Kitsune products are getting a reputation for their simultaneously subtle yet flashy designs.  Subtle in that there isn’t much to the design but flashy in that their design points can be seen from across the room. 

This gi is awesomely incredibly RED.  I have reviewed one other red gi from KO Sportswear, but that was a “budget” option, this gi is deluxe. 

The interior of the pants and the top have a ton of satiny sublimated lining to make the gi very comfortable.  Over the review period I watched the color of the gi fade ever so slightly but not significantly, I was very pleased with how the gi “aged”.

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