Gi vs No-Gi Jiu Jitsu: Which Should a Beginner Start With?
4 min read · Updated Jul 3, 2026
For most beginners, the gi versus no-gi question matters far less than simply starting. The honest answer is to begin with whatever your gym runs on the nights you can actually show up, because both are the same art underneath. If you want a rule of thumb, no-gi is a common and comfortable place to start, and at Team 515 the adult jiu jitsu classes on the current schedule are no-gi, so for many new adults here that choice is already made for you. Call (903) 930-4599 to confirm what is running before you come in.
What "gi" and "no-gi" actually mean
The gi is the traditional uniform: a heavy cotton jacket, pants, and a belt. In gi training, you and your partner grip the fabric, so collars, sleeves, and pant legs all become handles you use to control your partner and to defend yourself.
No-gi is the opposite. You train in a rashguard, which is a tight athletic shirt, and shorts. There is no jacket to grab, so grips happen on the body instead: wrists, necks, and underhooks. That one difference changes the feel of everything.
Why the difference matters less than you think
Underneath the clothing, it is the same jiu jitsu: using leverage, position, and technique to control a bigger person and, eventually, to finish with a submission. A submission is simply a hold that makes a training partner tap out, which is the safe way of saying "I am done, reset."
For your first few months, you are learning the same fundamentals in either style. How to move your hips. How to keep good position. How to stay calm when someone is close. None of that depends on whether you are wearing a jacket, so do not let the choice stall you. The worst option is the one where you keep researching and never walk in.
The honest case for each
The gi tends to be slower and more technical. The grips give both people more control, which means more time to think and a heavy focus on precise technique. Many coaches feel the gi builds patience.
No-gi is faster and sweatier. With nothing to hold, people slip out of positions, so scrambles happen quicker. No-gi also looks the most like wrestling and like the grappling you see in mixed martial arts, so if MMA interests you later, the crossover is direct.
Neither one is better. They train slightly different instincts, and most people who stick with jiu jitsu end up doing both over time.
Starting jiu jitsu at Team 515
You do not need to decide anything before your first class. No gear is required to start. Wear comfortable workout clothes, bring water, and show up about fifteen minutes early. A coach walks you and other newcomers through the fundamentals at your own level. There is no live sparring on day one, so you are never thrown to the wolves.
At Team 515, the adult no-gi classes run Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM, with a women's no-gi class on Monday at 6:00 PM. The program covers both gi and no-gi, so if your heart is set on the gi, call the gym and ask what is currently offered. The coaching staff carries real professional and amateur fight experience, including UFC-level coaching experience, and the room is built for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I buy a gi, can I wear it in a no-gi class?
No. No-gi is trained in a rashguard and shorts, while gi class uses the full uniform. The good news is that you need neither one for your first visit. Comfortable workout clothes and water are enough to begin.
I have never trained before. Is no-gi too advanced to start with?
Not at all. Beginners with zero experience are the norm at Team 515, and the coaches teach from the ground up. Day-one beginners do not spar, so you can learn the basics of either style safely and at your own pace.
How much does jiu jitsu cost at Team 515?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is $90 a month. It is month to month with no contracts, and your first class is free.
You will not know which style fits until you feel it. Your first class is free, so you can settle the gi versus no-gi question on the mats instead of in your head. When you are ready, come train or see the schedule to find a night that fits. Team 515 is at 320 E. Tyler St. in Longview, with a warm welcome for first-timers from across East Texas.