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BJJ access for everyone
4 year(s) ago • 2157 views • 20 replies
BZBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Hello guys,
Just a post to react about some gi brand who sells gi's like 300$. I think that BJJ must be for everyone and i'm pretty sure that i'm not the only one who can't put that much money for a gi. The same with championship fee around 100$ or Black belt certificat 500$....
I think that we are far from the young dogs from the favelas....
In the other side i saw a lot of New brand coming up with prices under 100$ for a gi, so it's possible...
What's your opinion ?
Hello guys,
Just a post to react about some gi brand who sells gi's like 300$. I think that BJJ must be for everyone and i'm pretty sure that i'm not the only one who can't put that much money for a gi. The same with championship fee around 100$ or Black belt certificat 500$....
I think that we are far from the young dogs from the favelas....
In the other side i saw a lot of New brand coming up with prices under 100$ for a gi, so it's possible...
What's your opinion ?
JPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
I have an Origin Gi and I bought it for ideological reasons. I'm willing to pay extra for a gi that's made in the USA, Canada, or Europe because I feel like I'm not supporting exploitation. This being stated, I'm not pure either and have bought gis from India (or wherever they're made).
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
I'm willing to pay extra for a gi that's made in the USA, Canada, or Europe because I feel like I'm not supporting exploitation.
On what basis do you assume that people are being exploited when a gi is made outside of US, Canada or Europe?
ADBrown beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
I only see it as an issue if you are part of a gym that requires you to buy that gi. Otherwise, I don't care if a company sells regular gis for $1 million.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
On what basis do you assume that people are being exploited when a gi is made outside of US, Canada or Europe?
It's is probably due to the marketing by domestic or regional companies and anecdotal cases. Supporting domestic business is one thing but to do that in misguided belief your choice would help save or prevent exploited workers from their fate is very optimistic.
JSPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
Anything that is made in America is going to cost a decent amount. Unfortunately, it is for this reason that most Gi's are made in Bangladesh, Pakistan or some other middle eastern country. I am not sure if the build quality is any better, but if you want to support the workers here i guess that is the price you are going to pay. The MSRP is just whatever you are willing to pay there are other Gi's that are of a decent quality that aren't made in the US which are significantly less expensive. I tend to stick to the less expensive Gi's the most expensive one I have I think i paid like 140 for my favorite Gi is a Sanabul that I paid like 60 bucks for.
CBBrown beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
In the other side i saw a lot of New brand coming up with prices under 100$ for a gi, so it's possible...
Forgive me if I'm being naive, but there are plenty of options for Gis under $ 100. It's not that hard to find them either.
As for tournament fees, this is very dependent upon the tournament. Yes, IBJJF Europeans of NAGA is pricey. But Grappling Industries is only €60 if you register early and local tournaments are normally around €40 - 50.
And finally, this is hardly limited to BJJ. There are plenty of expensive Judo or Karate Gis. As long as you're not in a Gym that makes you buy a specific Gi, none of it is mandatory. Admittedly, most other martial arts tournaments don't cost as much, but they also normally are subsidized by the government, at least for things like Judo in Germany this is the case, so obviously this is going to keep the price lower.
As for tournament fees, this is very dependent upon the tournament. Yes, IBJJF Europeans of NAGA is pricey. But Grappling Industries is only €60 if you register early and local tournaments are normally around €40 - 50.
And finally, this is hardly limited to BJJ. There are plenty of expensive Judo or Karate Gis. As long as you're not in a Gym that makes you buy a specific Gi, none of it is mandatory. Admittedly, most other martial arts tournaments don't cost as much, but they also normally are subsidized by the government, at least for things like Judo in Germany this is the case, so obviously this is going to keep the price lower.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
The world’s leading experts in gi manufacturing are in Pakistan. Nobody has more expertise than them in this field. The factory in Pakistan I’ve been working with for almost a decade now puts food on the table for a substantial amount of families through the work I am able to generate for them. Many kids in Pakistan are able to get food, clothes and toys when you buy a BJJ Globetrotters gi. I made a handful of rashguard design projects that built an entire kitchen for my designer in Indonesia and paid for his daughters school for a year. And I could go on.
I’ve built personal personal relationships with these people and I consider many of them my friends. The impact I can make on people’s lives there by creating jobs for them is immense. This is my primary reason for manufacturing in developing countries and not in the west.
Not saying there are not bad conditions anywhere in Pakistan etc, not at all. But important aspect to debate also is of course if there is such a thing as worker exploitation in the western world, let’s say, perhaps in the US. Do you also not shop where people are paid a minimal wage too small to pay for rent and food?
Just some food for thought :)
I’ve built personal personal relationships with these people and I consider many of them my friends. The impact I can make on people’s lives there by creating jobs for them is immense. This is my primary reason for manufacturing in developing countries and not in the west.
Not saying there are not bad conditions anywhere in Pakistan etc, not at all. But important aspect to debate also is of course if there is such a thing as worker exploitation in the western world, let’s say, perhaps in the US. Do you also not shop where people are paid a minimal wage too small to pay for rent and food?
Just some food for thought :)
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
The Pakistan factory smell is what I buy new gis for.
BZBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Forgive me if I'm being naive, but there are plenty of options for Gis under $ 100. It's not that hard to find them either. As for tournament fees, this is very dependent upon the tournament. Yes, IBJJF Europeans of NAGA is pricey. But Grappling Industries is only €60 if you register early and local tournaments are normally around €40 - 50. And finally, this is hardly limited to BJJ. There are plenty of expensive Judo or Karate Gis. As long as you're not in a Gym that makes you buy a specific Gi, none of it is mandatory. Admittedly, most other martial arts tournaments don't cost as much, but they also normally are subsidized by the government, at least for things like Judo in Germany this is the case, so obviously this is going to keep the price lower.
"Only" 60€ ....like 20 years ago, in Belgium we had the BIG BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL GRAPPLING, all the stars of the moment coming there, it was 25€ fee with 1000€ price each class, i'm maybe an old timer, but like this you can imagine why i think like this....
I do organise myself a luta livre compettion in Brussels few years ago, 25€ fee, around 90 or 100 fighters and we had some benefits, but i do it for People,not to buy a New sport car
I do organise myself a luta livre compettion in Brussels few years ago, 25€ fee, around 90 or 100 fighters and we had some benefits, but i do it for People,not to buy a New sport car
CBBrown beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
like 20 years ago, in Belgium we had the BIG BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL GRAPPLING, all the stars of the moment coming there, it was 25€ fee with 1000€ price each class, i'm maybe an old timer, but like this you can imagine why i think like this....
I'm not saying the price couldn't be lower. I was just addressing your comment that the tournaments cost € 100. Finding some for less than this is not hard.
But I also think you're overestimating the amount of profit in organizing tournaments. I know some people who do this and they're definitely not rich by any stretch of the imagination. At least not the local tournaments. I think the bigger issue is, at least in Germany, the lack of government support. Especially for larger tournaments.
But I also think you're overestimating the amount of profit in organizing tournaments. I know some people who do this and they're definitely not rich by any stretch of the imagination. At least not the local tournaments. I think the bigger issue is, at least in Germany, the lack of government support. Especially for larger tournaments.
JPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
On what basis do you assume that people are being exploited when a gi is made outside of US, Canada or Europe?
That's it, I don't, but I'm almost certain that there's no exploitation happening in Maine. At least not the type of exploitation that's possible in Pakistan. And I like to support my "local" economy.
Edited 4 year(s) ago
JPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
Not saying there are not bad conditions anywhere in Pakistan etc, not at all. But important aspect to debate also is of course if there is such a thing as worker exploitation in the western world, let’s say, perhaps in the US. Do you also not shop where people are paid a minimal wage too small to pay for rent and food?
I try not to, but I admit my habits are made possible by my bourgeoise life.
DBBlack beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
As long as there is an "entry level" market that's willing to sell gis for what they cost with just enough mark-up to cover their business expenses I don't personally have any issue with other brands selling the exact same gi from the exact same Pakistani factory marketed as a "premium" gi or brands that manufacture in places that actually are more expensive to charge more. It's the nature of the capitalist system I've been raised in.
To that end, I'd personally buy a Kingz over a Shoyoroll and I'll continue doing belt comparisons to try to ensure consumers have as much information as they reasonably can to make appropriate decisions, but a $300 gi works, so if someone wants to pay 3x more than necessary for the same thing, that's their call.
To that end, I'd personally buy a Kingz over a Shoyoroll and I'll continue doing belt comparisons to try to ensure consumers have as much information as they reasonably can to make appropriate decisions, but a $300 gi works, so if someone wants to pay 3x more than necessary for the same thing, that's their call.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
I'll continue doing belt comparisons to try to ensure consumers have as much information as they reasonably can to make appropriate decisions...
So when you gonna do your overly thorough gi reviews? That's what I'm talking about.
DBBlack beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
So when you gonna do your overly thorough gi reviews? That's what I'm talking about.
I hadn't checked on https://gireviews.net/ in awhile and it hasn't been updated since 2020 - it seems like there might be a niche for me to try to figure out a way to get a bunch of gis to measure, review, and then give away or resell.
I'll have to think through if/how I could do this without my wife becoming furious at the cost and storage implications.
I'll have to think through if/how I could do this without my wife becoming furious at the cost and storage implications.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
I hadn't checked on https://gireviews.net/ in I'll have to think through if/how I could do this without my wife becoming furious at the cost and storage implications.
A delicate, yet important balance to be attained, no doubt.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Hello guys, Just a post to react about some gi brand who sells gi's like 300$. I think that BJJ must be for everyone and i'm pretty sure that i'm not the only one who can't put that much money for a gi. The same with championship fee around 100$ or Black belt certificat 500$.... I think that we are far from the young dogs from the favelas.... In the other side i saw a lot of New brand coming up with prices under 100$ for a gi, so it's possible... What's your opinion ?
It has gotten ridiculously overpriced!
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Hello guys, Just a post to react about some gi brand who sells gi's like 300$. I think that BJJ must be for everyone and i'm pretty sure that i'm not the only one who can't put that much money for a gi. The same with championship fee around 100$ or Black belt certificat 500$.... I think that we are far from the young dogs from the favelas.... In the other side i saw a lot of New brand coming up with prices under 100$ for a gi, so it's possible... What's your opinion ?
Companies that have gi's under a hundred dollars off the top of my head... 93 Brand (One of my favorites to wear), Elite BJJ, Hawk, and Sanabul.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
The Pakistan factory smell is what I buy new gis for.
I honestly thought I was the only one! HAHAHAHAHA
BZBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Companies that have gi's under a hundred dollars off the top of my head... 93 Brand (One of my favorites to wear), Elite BJJ, Hawk, and Sanabul.
They look pretty good too, my next one will be one of this for sure
