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What’s more damaging to you?
2 year(s) ago • 19542 views • 31 replies
PBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
After being away from grappling due to health issues I got back into it this past summer, starting out exclusively doing nogi the first two or so months and after that started sprinkling in gi more and more. What I noticed to my own surprise was that the added friction of the gi made my knees fel much more banged up after a training session (I’m 42, so yeah…) than after any given nogi session… whats your experience regarding this, do you notice any difference between the two?
JCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I'm 47 and find the opposite to be true. The added speed of the game without the gi in play leaves me feeling really beat up after training.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
MBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I wear thin cushioned knee pads all the time. Do my knees hurt? Nope. 👍👍
MBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
At almost 53, I feel banged up after any hard training session. I tend to feel that Gi and no-gi hit different because of the different grips and moves that I tend to do with one or the other. I agree with Mo on the knee pads, I wear knee compression sleeves every training. Maybe look at the moves you do in one opposed to the other and that might have something to do with the increased or decreased pain.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I'm 55 yrs old, had back and knee surgery, have two herniations in my cervical spine and need left ankle surgery and probably a procedure on my right hip joint. In other words I'm a mess.
For what it is worth I feel the Gi training is harder on my body than no gi. I can't explain why but there it is.
Every session leaves me in pain regardless whether I roll 1 or 8 rounds for example. The pain is the same.
I have some good days but most days are just painful. My sleep suffers greatly because I just can't get comfortable in any position.
I work out and lift weights to try to mitigate some of the pain by strengthening the areas that hurt the most.
Physio helps a bit but it is also limited.
I just keep on training and teaching. I roll when I can and coach the rolling when I can't.
My mission is to stay active and continue until I die regardless of pain.
For what it is worth I feel the Gi training is harder on my body than no gi. I can't explain why but there it is.
Every session leaves me in pain regardless whether I roll 1 or 8 rounds for example. The pain is the same.
I have some good days but most days are just painful. My sleep suffers greatly because I just can't get comfortable in any position.
I work out and lift weights to try to mitigate some of the pain by strengthening the areas that hurt the most.
Physio helps a bit but it is also limited.
I just keep on training and teaching. I roll when I can and coach the rolling when I can't.
My mission is to stay active and continue until I die regardless of pain.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
JCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
The difference for me is that I have to be more explosive in no gi to keep up with the younger, faster guys. In the gi I can just grab the gi and use it to slow them down and allow myself to be more calculating in my movements and not need to move so quickly.
RBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
37 years old, over 15 years of jiu-jitsu training and over 24 years of martial arts experience, 16 years of law enforcement experience. No knee problems,no surgeries (knock on wood.) I firmly believe that intelligent strength and conditioning (including weight training) and some recovery focus is to thank for that. I train gi and no gi, and find that the gi is very unforgiving on hands, fingers, wrists, etc. but my knees feel like they take more of a beating in no gi. That's just my two cents.
DBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
"What I noticed to my own surprise was that the added friction of the gi made my knees fel much more banged up after a training session (I’m 42, so yeah…) than after any given nogi session…"
Due to leg locks?
Due to leg locks?
PPiriOP
Black beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Due to leg locks?
No, not really… I mean, sure there is usually SOME leglocks present in any random open mat session, but more so a case of passing half/z/kneeshield/rdlr etc and the torque in a live setting paired with the added friction was what I felt was the main thing… that being said, it’s less noticable now after having spent most of the semester doing gi, so perhaps I’ve adapted to it in some capacity….
EBBlue beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
51yo and I feel the most pain in my neck, shoulders, knees and fingers oh yea lower back… hmmmm I feel it everywhere nvm
MBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
The older I get the more I like the gi. No gi specially now days is too acrobatic for me.
JJBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
No, not really… I mean, sure there is usually SOME leglocks present in any random open mat session, but more so a case of passing half/z/kneeshield/rdlr etc and the torque in a live setting paired with the added friction was what I felt was the main thing… that being said, it’s less noticable now after having spent most of the semester doing gi, so perhaps I’ve adapted to it in some capacity….
It's probably from you playing guard and the way you use your legs.
Playing guard in Gi creates connection points and prolonged situations that would not occur in nogi.
I notice when I don't play guard nearly as much in GI my knees feel way better. Avoiding things like lasso guard and just staying in any position for to long where your ligaments in your knees are being activated.
Nogi is worse for submission related injuries and accidents. Gi is worse for normal wear and tear over time.
Playing guard in Gi creates connection points and prolonged situations that would not occur in nogi.
I notice when I don't play guard nearly as much in GI my knees feel way better. Avoiding things like lasso guard and just staying in any position for to long where your ligaments in your knees are being activated.
Nogi is worse for submission related injuries and accidents. Gi is worse for normal wear and tear over time.
MGBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I've been doing gi for 65 years and I have NEVER had issues with my fingers. The key is using a relaxed grip (which is actually STRONGER than a tight one), and only actually gripping with the small three fingers. All the taping and arthritis comes from trying to develop a grip of iron and never letting go. I have done videos about this. https://www.youtube.com/w[...]Tot7E8Q1IM
Edited 2 year(s) ago
JJBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I've been doing gi for 65 years and I have NEVER had issues with my fingers. The key is using a relaxed grip (which is actually STRONGER than a tight one), and only actually gripping with the small three fingers. All the taping and arthritis comes from trying to develop a grip of iron and never letting go. I have done videos about this. https://www.youtube.com/w[...]Tot7E8Q1IM
Should never hold onto sleeves without being ready to let go. You can hold onto collars but not sleeves.
BCBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Sparring hard as a white belt and blue belt in my early training years both of my shoulders are bad. Had a full rebuild surgery on my right shoulder and my left shoulder currently has a torn bicep and torn labrum. Any sparring now I'm pretty sore the next day. I can't even sleep on my left shoulder. I'm due for a surgery but the doctor told me most folks deal with the issues I have in the left shoulder. I'm pretty much at the end of my rope holding out as shoulder surgery sucks and it's a long recovery but, the left shoulder is at a point now that I'm starting to lean towards getting it done. Sucks but jiu-jitsu is rough on the body especially at 40yrs old.
MRBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
The difference I notice between the two is that my fingers take the abuse in Gi but other than that. No major difference. I do wear some great neoprene/padded knee pads that protect my knees very well, so like suggested, invest in a great comfortable pair that does not slide around but at the same time gives you great compression and, more importantly, padding.
JJBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I like the mcdavid stuff.
I like the sleeves but they slide might try those.
I like the sleeves but they slide might try those.
MCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I've found that despite the increase in movement, no-gi is gentler on my joints due to less friction
JJBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I've found that despite the increase in movement, no-gi is gentler on my joints due to less friction
Really is going to depend on your training partners.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
For what it is worth, when we are old, and grapple:
Never be in love with your grip,
Release any grip instantly.
Or alternatively, don't grip at all.
It is better to let someone pass your guard,
than to end up with spines like Royler or Rickson
(respect, I love them, but I don't want their spinal discs).
Stay well hydrated.
Tap....
You only get one neck, and the discs therein...
Remember that.
And, never trust a fart.
Never be in love with your grip,
Release any grip instantly.
Or alternatively, don't grip at all.
It is better to let someone pass your guard,
than to end up with spines like Royler or Rickson
(respect, I love them, but I don't want their spinal discs).
Stay well hydrated.
Tap....
You only get one neck, and the discs therein...
Remember that.
And, never trust a fart.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
For what it is worth, when we are old, and grapple: Never be in love with your grip, Release any grip instantly. Or alternatively, don't grip at all. It is better to let someone pass your guard, than to end up with spines like Royler or Rickson (respect, I love them, but I don't want their spinal discs). Stay well hydrated. Tap.... You only get one neck, and the discs therein... Remember that. And, never trust a fart.
my spine is destroyed too :-(
JJBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Thankfully in some weird way my lower back was messed up 10 years ago and kind of fused itself together or something and I can't really invert or do that upside down spinny crap anyways. Can't even granby hardly except out of like turtle.
I was kind of forced to play this weird open guard where I just try to keep my opponent in front of me at all times, as that was my only option not being able to invert.
That, plus never force holding onto closed guard/triangles...my back feels better than ever.
In some weird way I think adapting your guard to being open or half and just always trying to keep your opponent in front of you and never letting anyone grab your head will help stop most of the back/neck stuff. In like 400 matches still to this day I have never had anyone even be able attempt a guillotine on me.
I was kind of forced to play this weird open guard where I just try to keep my opponent in front of me at all times, as that was my only option not being able to invert.
That, plus never force holding onto closed guard/triangles...my back feels better than ever.
In some weird way I think adapting your guard to being open or half and just always trying to keep your opponent in front of you and never letting anyone grab your head will help stop most of the back/neck stuff. In like 400 matches still to this day I have never had anyone even be able attempt a guillotine on me.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
HABlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Ego...
I used to be a good Judoka and a Wrestling coach. Now I am old/er and just used.
I used to be a good Judoka and a Wrestling coach. Now I am old/er and just used.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Ego... I used to be a good Judoka and a Wrestling coach. Now I am old/er and just used.
But still useful, on occasion, I imagine.
BBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Knee pads - jitz ones but I use the volleyball ones. Spray them with deodorant before use from day one and wash immediately after use! I don't try to keep up with anyone, just go my own pace, don't gas, no placing limbs in weirs positions; no rubber guard, no triangles, no strong push pulling involving legs, no inverting leading to stacking.... lol. I'm in for the long haul and am a survivor.
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
39 but a lot of mileage on my body due to a life long of martial arts. I notice lower back pain is a sign ive been going too hard too long. I usually take a couple of lighter days or 1 day off for recovery when I feel that. Also, spend time stretching and working on mobility. I do that through out the day. When rolling dont use too much force. And do some strength training, at least 2 times a week.
As for gi/no gi. I do both and dont think one is more damaging than the other. In no gi I hurt myself fighting the leglocks (in competition), other than that there are no issues.
As for gi/no gi. I do both and dont think one is more damaging than the other. In no gi I hurt myself fighting the leglocks (in competition), other than that there are no issues.
DHBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Due to age and injury I had to change the way I wrestle, play guard and half guard. Even still I have more joint pain after a hard gi session. That's one of the reasons Ive been doing more no-gi the last few years. It's true letting go of grips more easily does help reduce hand/ finger pain but mine still ache. Sometimes my knees will be sore after Nogi if I've been dueling leg locks, but otherwise for the most part it's more muscle soreness from the workout than pain.
As many people have stated it can be more difficult to slow down younger more energetic training partners in Nogi but there are ways to do it. I like to think that the older I get the more sneaky and strategic I have to get. I like to look at it as a challenge.
My advice would be to evaluate how you grapple and experiment to see what moves or situations are causing you pain. You may be able to make changes and significantly reduce your joint pain.
Also I've been doing Pilates at home for a while now and I think it's been helpful.
As many people have stated it can be more difficult to slow down younger more energetic training partners in Nogi but there are ways to do it. I like to think that the older I get the more sneaky and strategic I have to get. I like to look at it as a challenge.
My advice would be to evaluate how you grapple and experiment to see what moves or situations are causing you pain. You may be able to make changes and significantly reduce your joint pain.
Also I've been doing Pilates at home for a while now and I think it's been helpful.
ABPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
It really depends on the day. Sometimes i feel more pain after NoGi classes, sometimes after GI. In Gi you can slow down fight and it can be helpful for some injuries, but in other hands without Gi your fingers are not that damaged and because of slippery you can avoid some dangerous moves
VBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
1 year(s) ago
After being away from grappling due to health issues I got back into it this past summer, starting out exclusively doing nogi the first two or so months and after that started sprinkling in gi more and more. What I noticed to my own surprise was that the added friction of the gi made my knees fel much more banged up after a training session (I’m 42, so yeah…) than after any given nogi session… whats your experience regarding this, do you notice any difference between the two?
At 56, I find Gi easier on the body. I have a few major surgeries on my knees in the past. Don't find the gi a problem. If you having issues might want to get yourself some knee sleeves.
JJBlack beltVerified
1 year(s) ago
And my knees have magically healed a bunch since I stopped playing guard so much.
I couldn't even jog for 2+ years because of my knees and now I can actually do some sprints again.
I couldn't even jog for 2+ years because of my knees and now I can actually do some sprints again.
