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If you are here then you have either just started BJJ or you’ve been practicing for a a while and need a replacement for your worn out belt. Belt’s are arguably one the most important aspects of your training as well as for competitions, so it’s always good to have a belt which you doesn’t easily slip during practice and also looks good.
In 1882, Jigoro Kano first introduced the belt system to signify rank Judo which was then later on adapted and changed by the Gracie family for Jiu-Jitsu. The first official belt ranking system in Jiu-Jitsu was created in 1967 by the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Guanabara.
Afterwards, it was implemented by the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation and International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The sole purpose of a belt is to mark an individual’s progress. Not only does the belt secure the Gi to the body but it also marks the place in the pecking order. The darker the belt, the stronger is the skills.
In this guide we are going to teach you about the most important aspects you need to take into consideration for your next belt and also give you a general guide on all things Jiu-Jitsu bets
The BJJ belt ranking system primarily starts with a white belt; this is worn by students having no prior expertise in the field. A white belt’s training emphasizes on escapes, defensive positions, submissions and guard passes. The blue belt is second in line in the ranking system and empowers students to learn countless techniques. After years of training with the blue belt (at least 2 years), one can finally go for the purple belt.
Purple belt depicts someone who has acquired sufficient knowledge to train lower-ranked students. In BJJ brown belt is referred to as one of the highest ranks. Evolving from a beginner white belt to a brown belt requires at least 5 years of dedicated training. The black belt shows the master of technical and practical skills.
While there exists a fixed ranking, the set of criteria for ranking a student usually varies from one instructor to another. Obviously, the skill level is the most crucial characteristic to monitor during grading. The more developed the skills, the chances to earn an extra stripe or the next belt are higher. Attendance at every session and consistency administers to gradually perform better. Being respectful and helping others will portray the student as an embodiment of the spirit of martial arts. IBJJF recommend allocation of minimum time for each belt stage.
Given the importance of belts in martial arts, we should respect our BJJ journey and spend our time in a fine belt. Having said that, definitely you wouldn’t only want to purchase the most expensive belt, but rather one with good quality too. Nonetheless, the decision is yours to make. Since you have already jumped upon this article, you can gain insights into the current market for proper selection.
When choosing a belt, certain criteria should be taken into account. The belt must agree with your physicality, very smoothly and precisely let you to apply your techniques, express your status and stand up to the rigors of grappling. The most important factors discussed are:
The size is a key element for the picking procedure. Generally, you would want to match the size of your belt to the size of the Gi that you are wearing. This is because the belt needs to be wrapped around the body several times before forming a knot. Care needs to be taken so that the belt doesn’t slouch down from either side or it’s going to end up being grabbed by the other party. Best case scenario your belt comes undone and the worst is someone pulls you into a very unpleasant position.
A belt of distinct color should be bought to distinguish the level of skills clearly. You wouldn’t mistakenly want to wear a black belt on your first day.
When choosing from a large market consisting of multiple brands it is essential to know which brand interests you. Well-known brands use quality materials, have the name recognition and pedigree, and know their way through top-quality. For starters, it is best to buy a belt from common or popular brands instead of a random one.
The final thing to look for in a belt is certainly its thickness. You are going to want something comfortable for you when it is tied, but that isn’t going to slide out of its knot quickly. The best way to do this is to try out belts of different thickness.
The belt’s characteristics are an important aspect to highlight. These notable features are important for your choice:
High-quality belts with at least 8 robust stitching enable the belt to retain its structural integrity. Both durable and non-irritating material should be used.
According to IBJJF the dimensions should be strictly 4 or 5 cm wide and long enough to wrap twice around the waist. The belt should be tied in a double knot and 20-30 cm of the belt should be suspended.
All belts must have black tips with the only exception of black belts, which should have blue tips.
Just like all the other belts from the Fuji brand, Fuji BJJ belt is made of highly resistant, pure cotton fabric. Not only are they present at a multitude of colors (white, green, grey, orange, yellow, purple etc.) but also come in several sizes (A0-A6). It is sold on Amazon from $5.96 – $21.23.
The premium Fuji belt is the most expensive BJJ belt of this brand. As compared to the normal Fuji belt, this is built to maintain its shape and color for a longer period. The pearl weave material allows the belt to be tied effortlessly and stay put. Buyers can choose from five colors (white, blue, purple, brown and black) for $14.51 – $29.95.
Sanabul BJJ belt is a nice belt made of good grade materials. Numerous top competitors worldwide have worn the belt. Accessible in all five BJJ colors, it is substantial for training and outright cheap.
Sanabul BJJ Pro belts are better than their standard counterparts because they are further equipped with special anti-bacterial and anti-odor treatment; this keeps them fresh and away from excessive cleaning. They are priced at $6.99 – $9.99 and can be found in five colors (white, blue, purple, brown and black).
Gameness has a reputation for producing unusually soft belts which are impossible to untie and prevalence to damage. The color scheme of these belts includes all the traditional BJJ colors. They come at a reasonable price of $19.99.
Elite Sports Rank Gi belt belts are styled to stay firmly in position without the need to be routinely readjusted. Therefore, aids to focus on training and practicing. The prices can either be very low from $5.99 or overly high at $24.71.
The Hayabusa unisex BJJ belt can be worn by both male and female. The belt can be bought at a high price point of $19.99.
Hypnotik Pearl Weave Premium BJJ Belts are handmade with 100% top-notch quality cotton fabric and are flexible to wear. This is the best belt for long-haul practitioners.
The choice of belts differs from one person to another. Although it is a matter of personal preference, there is no harm in analyzing the options at hand and making the most of your money. After all, you won’t be getting new belts now and then. While each brand in this list surely serves the purpose of showing you their best features, my personal favorite lies with Sanabul.
These belts are utilized frequently in competitions so there is no need to buy a supplementary belt. They are strong, durable and have a tremendously affordable price. Therefore, anyone can purchase and their money will be all worth it. All in all, I find it quite ridiculous to buy expensive belts since nothing lasts a lifetime. No matter how long-running, hard and wash-proof it is advertised to be, it will surely wear and tear with prolonged mat time. As long as the requirements are met you are good to go.
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I'm Timmy and I'm the chief-editor and co-founder of Jiu-Jitsu Street. You'll usually find me on the mats and also cross-training Muay Thai. Besides martial arts I'm also into functional fitness and all things health. Jiu-Jitsu Street was created to provide useful information for BJJ beginners and seasoned practitioners alike to help you on your journey and love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Oss!
Jiu-Jitsu Street is a community of fun loving and hard rolling BJJ enthusiasts. Born out of our passion for the gentle art, we have decided to create this blog and help you on your journey. Let’s grow and learn together on this never-ending journey. Oss!
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