Dragon Ball Z is hands down my favorite anime. So, it was a no-brainer for me to get a Dragon Ball Z Rash Guard.

So, I purchased the one from X Martial and now want to give you my review; needless to say, my expectations were high.

It was the first Rash Guard I bought from X Martial, and I cannot have a bad Dragon Ball Z Rash Guard. My inner child would cry.

So, let’s dive in. Spoiler: I LOVE them.

4.5/5

X Martial Dragon Ball X Rash Guard

• Quality: 4/5
• Design: 5/5
• Sizing: 5/5
• Comfort: 4/5
• Price: 4/5
• Customer Support: 5/5

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The Full Dragon Ball Z Rash Guard Review

Material & Quality

In terms of quality, I do not have many things to complain about. It doesn’t feel cheap, and the graphics seem to withstand a machine wash and heavy sweating.

I’ve washed it multiple times now, and it still looks like new. Of course, there are Rash Guards with better quality out there, but this one does its job.

It feels nice, is reliable, and is durable, so it gives you everything you need from a Rash Guard.

Design

You already know what I’m gonna say about the design… I LOVE it. When I wear it, I feel like a child again.

I love the orange Dragonball Z color and the logo design. I don’t know if it makes me a better Jiu-Jitsu player, though. But it definitely feels like it!

The design is not fading even after multiple washes and looks as good in reality as in the picture.

Comfort

The Material feels very comfortable. It doesn’t have a waistband, so you do need to adjust it sometimes while rolling.

But it sticks well to the body, absorbs the sweat reasonably well, and does everything a Rash Guard should do.

I’ve had Rash Guards that are more comfy, such as the Hayabusa Rash Guard, but I cannot complain.

Pricing

The price is around 50 USD. X Martial does ship internationally, which is great. However, you need to consider that when you return the package, you will need to pay the shipping fees, which can be a lot. You must return the item within 30 days.

But what I can say is that the customer support is great. They always respond within a day and are very friendly. They even made sure I picked the right size before shipping it to me.

Alternatives To X Martial

If you’re looking for alternatives to the X Martial Rash Guards, I recommend you take a look at my list of the best Rash Guards on the market.

If you’re looking for a simple design, I recommend the RDX Rash Guards. If you want a crazier design, there are always the LAFROI Rash Guards.

But if you want a high-quality Rash Guard from an established BJJ brand, I recommend the Tatami Rash Guard.

Final Words

So this is my X Martial Dragon Ball Z Rash Guard Review.

If you’re a fan of Dragon Ball Z, you should get it. It’s my first time purchasing a product from X Martial, and there’s a reason why this brand is on the rise. Good quality, fair pricing, amazing designs, and outstanding customer support.

Thank you, X Martial, for making my inner child happy with my new Dragon Ball Z Rash Guard.

If you have any questions about this Rash Guard or X Martial as a brand, please text me! I’m happy to help.

If you’re passionate about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you probably want your children to be interested in Jiu-Jitsu, too.

I don’t have children, but I’m a psychologist and have worked with many children.

And I know that I’m gonna be the kind of father who wants to train Jiu-Jitsu with his children…:D

But you have to be very careful when trying to get your child interested in something that you like doing.

Here’s how to approach it:

Make It Fun

Don’t take it too seriously. Make it fun for them to go to practice. Let them be playful. If they don’t want to do drilling and just want to play around, let them do it. Don’t force them to do anything.

Nobody likes to be forced. Of course, you want them to learn the techniques, but let them explore what they enjoy doing.

You have to get a feel for the mood of your child and adjust how you approach it.

Also, don’t force them to go to practice if they don’t wanna. That’s a quick way to make them hate it.

Don’t Make Them Compete Too Early

Competition is great and all. I’m a fan of children competing in BJJ or in sports in general. But don’t do it too early or too often. If you feel they are ready, ask them if they want to compete. Don’t tell them too.

You have to run on their clock, not on yours. Competitions are challenging and can be demotivating if there’s too much pressure on your child. Your child should compete when they feel like it, not when you feel like it.

Lead By Example

Kids are not as much influenced by what you say, they are influenced by what you do. So, if you’re not going to practice, don’t expect your kid to do it.

If you want your kid to go to BJJ practice, then lead by example.

Hit the mats with them at the gym or in your living room. Make it a game. Show them cool techniques, you know! Be as interested in BJJ as you want them to be.

Don’t Criticize Them

Don’t criticize them too much for not getting the technique. Don’t correct them too much if they are doing something wrong. This won’t make it fun for them.

Of course, you want your kid to learn and grow in the sport, but don’t take it too seriously.

Let your child make mistakes and repeat the techniques he/she knows. It’s not the end of the world.

Choose A Good Gym

That one is crucial. The Gym you train at needs to be a good one. It’s best if both you and your child train at the same BJJ Gym.

If the Gym your child trains at is not fun, your child won’t like to go. The environment is everything. So make an effort at the beginning to try different BJJ Gyms to find the best fitting one.

Be Okay With Them Not Liking BJJ

Don’t force them to love Jiu-Jitsu. You need to be okay with them not wanting to do BJJ. If you approach it with that mindset, you won’t put too much pressure on yourself and the child, and it’ll become more fun.

No matter how much you do right, your child is still its own person with its own personality. You cannot force anything on them. It’ll backfire. It’s okay if they don’t like it.

How To Get Your Child Interested In Jiu-Jitsu – Final Words

So the point here is: I love that you want to get your child interested in Jiu-Jitsu, but you need to be careful.

You forcing them might have the opposite effect, and they may end up hating it forever. So lead by example, make it fun, and don’t force them.

I know that it’s our dream to train Jiu Jitsu with our children, but it’s probably not that serious. Take the pressure off, and I’m sure your kids will like it. And if not, that’s okay.

I did it. After countless recommendations, I bought my first Tatami Rash Guard. And it’s been interesting.

If you’re into Jiu-Jitsu, you probably know about Tatami. One of the most famous brands in the sport.

You can be assured that there’s somebody wearing something from this brand at any Gym you go to.

And it didn’t disappoint. I love wearing mine, and the brand holds true to what it promises: High Quality, Protection, and beautiful designs.

So read further to learn everything about the Tatami Rash Guards.

4.5 Rating

Tatami Rash Guard

• Pricing: 4.5/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Design: 5/5
• Comfort: 4/5
• Sizing: 4.5/5

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A Complete Tatami Rash Guard Review

I’ll go over the Tatami Rash Guard Review step-by-step. I have had this Rash Guard for some time now and know its details.

So here’s everything you need to know:

Quality

The Quality of this Jiu Jitsu Rash Guard is amazing. It has thick material, and it doesn’t rip. Even after many washes, the Tatami Rash Guard looks like it is new.

The white color stays white, the material doesn’t show any weakness, and it feels very robust when worn. Cannot complain.

Design

I love the design. I bought this one as a white belt for a competition. It has a white color with black imprints. And I love it. It’s not too much, but it looks very good.

I can see they put a lot of thought into design, and no wonder this Rash Guard is so popular. It’s somewhere between plain design and flashy design. And that’s exactly what I’m looking for.

Comfort

This Rash Guard feels very comfortable. It’s very stretchy, so I can move in any direction without restriction. And even though it feels tight around my body, it’s not suffocating. It has a nice, snug fit, and I feel amazing wearing it.

It also has a waistband to keep this BJJ Rash Guard in place. But for some reason, mine doesn’t fit around my waist. Therefore, it doesn’t manage to keep the Rash Guard in place, and I need to adjust it sometimes.

Sizing

I bought the Tatami Rash Guard in size Large. I weigh 80kg, and I’m 5’7ft. It’s tight and comfortable. I could’ve gone for the X-Large, too, though. So, if you’re in doubt, I’d size up. It also depends on whether you want to have a tight or loose fit.

For me it fits perfectly fine with Large and I’m actually thinking of getting another one in this size, just because I like it so much.

Pricing

This Rash Guard is in the medium price range. I’ve bought more and less expensive BJJ Rash Guards than this one.

But for this high quality, I believe the price is very fair. It has everything you need from a Rash Guard – it’s super comfortable, high-quality, has a cool design, and a good fitting. It’s hard to get a better Rash Guard in this price range.

Alternatives to the Tatami Rash Guard

This Rash Guard is a short-sleeved option. You can also get the long-sleeved Tatami Rash Guard version for more protection against rashes.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, you can check out the Lafroi Rash Guards for flashy designs or the RDX Rash Guards with similar quality but a plain design.

If you want a nice short-sleeved design with premium quality, then check out the Hayabusa Fusion Rash Guard.

Summary

So with that, I completed my Tatami Rash Guard Review.

I’ve worn many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards. And this one is definitely one of my favorites. Honestly, it was hard to think of what I didn’t like about this one.

Except for the waistband, I’ve no complaints. This Tatami Rash Guard will stay with me for a long time. It has the best quality and is resistant to all the grabs and pulls used in Jiu-Jitsu.

So I’d recommend this product to everyone who’s looking for something reliable and nice-looking.

If you want to have a look at other BJJ Rash Guards I own, have a look at my list of the best Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards on the market.

Only 10% of white belts will make it to blue belt. And only 1% of blue belts will make it to black belt.

Rener Gracie

This quote shows how many white belts will quit before the BJJ journey even begins.

There’s no other martial art with such a high dropout rate. But why is that? Doesn’t everybody always talk about how cool Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is?

In my experience, there are different reasons for this phenomenon. Let’s break it down.

Why Do so many White Belts quit BJJ?

1. Time Commitment

Jiu Jitsu is a big time commitment. It’s’ not easy to go to BJJ every week and stay consistent. You’ll need to go to BJJ at least 2-3 times a week to get better. That’s’ not easy. Especially if you don’t live near the gym, have a full-time job, or have a family.

The truth is, we don’t have much time, and if you decide to go to BJJ, you need to make it one of your priorities in your life. Otherwise, it won’t gonna work.

That’s why I always get inspired by those who have a full-time job and a family and still come to Jiu-Jitsu – this shows true dedication to the art, which only a few achieve.

2. Bad Gym

Finding a good gym is not always easy. There are many bad Gyms out there. Gyms that are full of ego or don’t have a structured curriculum.

The wrong gym won’t’ gonna motivate you to go. The bad gym won’t’ gonna treat white belts the right way. Find a gym that’s nice to white belts. A Gym that supports them and tries to teach them the art instead of using them as a punching bag.

3. Injuries

White belts get injured a lot. Many injuries in BJJ come from bad technique. So you need to be careful.

As a white belt, you don’t know how to move yet. So, the higher belts are responsible for educating the white belts on that. And the white belts have to be open enough to receive the message.

If you start BJJ but then have constant injuries, you won’t’ gonna come into the flow of consistency. And that’s why many white belts will quit BJJ once they have their first 1-2 injuries.

4. Expensive

This is a reason I completely understand. I have heard many say that Jiu-Jitsu is expensive, and it is, depending on where you live.

I have been to gyms that cost over 200 USD a month for a membership. With that, you also invest in BJJ gear such as BJJ Rash Guards and BJJ Gis, etc… So it’s a big investment.

The truth is, not everybody can afford this. It limits many people from starting to train and to keep paying for that beautiful art.

5. Belt Promotions take long

On average, getting a black belt in BJJ takes you 10 -15 years. It takes patience – and that can be pretty demotivating when u are just starting. The journey seems long, far, and hard. And it is. Jiu Jitsu teaches you to think long-term.

Many other martial arts give you belts easier than in Jiu Jitsu. People prefer those because climbing the belt ladder is easier and faster.

And if your mindset is that you want to get to the next belt as fast as possible, you’ll be discouraged pretty fast. You’ll quit BJJ not far into your journey.

6. Progress isn’t linear

Success in BJJ is not linear. Sometimes, you might even feel like you’re not progressing. This will lead to self-doubt, and many don’t see the reward of consistency right away.

You’ll get better in jumps, and that feeling of stuckness or not progressing is hard to handle as a beginner.

So, you need to trust that you’re getting better even if you don’t see the results yet. And that’s a hard thing to do.

7. Ego

Jiu-Jitsu humbles you. As a white belt, you’ll notice how weak you are. You’ll see that you have no chance against the higher belts. You will tap so many times and get frustrated if you’re not careful.

You need to forget the idea of you needing to tap out people. You’ll be crushed. At the beginning, people will play with you. And that’s normal. Everybody has to go through that phase. But I saw many people quit because they had too big of an ego. They couldn’t’ handle to suck at something.

I believe ego is the biggest enemy in Jiu-Jitsu (and also for life…)

8. BJJ is the least fun as a White Belt

As I said, as a white belt, you get tapped out left and right. And that’s not fun. You lose, and you get to see your weaknesses. It’s’ not easy to process. The higher the belt you go, the better you’ll get and the more fun Jiu-Jitsu gets. That’s’ because you have more skills and techniques to work with now.

But it’s hard to stick with it for 2 years until you get your blue belt. It’s’ a long process. And people have problems with dedication and patience. We want things fast. And nothing comes quickly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

How To Keep White Belts Motivated?

1. Make Them Feel Seen

It’s’ not easy for a beginner. You feel like a fool; you get submitted left and right, and you’ll feel insecure about your abilities. It’s’ the job of the gym to make them feel seen. Communicate with them. Let them know you’re here if they need anything.

Take your time to explain the technique. Tell them when you see progress. Tell them when they do something good. Tell them if you see something they should improve on.

People who feel seen will be less likely to quit.

2. Give Them Stripes

Some Gyms do, some Gyms don’t’. I think it makes sense to give stripes to white belts. In the beginning, you are very vulnerable, and sometimes it can feel like you’re not progressing.

So, giving stripes to the white belts signals them that they are progressing. It’s’ a milestone that is easier to achieve than waiting 2 years to get your blue belt.

4. Encourage Competition

Competition changed everything for me. The moment I started competing was the moment I started taking Jiu-Jitsu seriously.

I loved going through the process of preparation and dedication. Competition is great for keeping white belts in the gym. Of course, don’t put them in there too early. But encourage it.

It had a great effect on me. That was the turning point in my own BJJ journey. That was the moment I started to take Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seriously.

Final Words

I understand why White Belts quit. Some try it out and say that it’s not for them. But I believe that many quit because they don’t feel comfortable.

Either because it’s too hard to face themselves or their environment is not nice. If everybody works together to make BJJ as inclusive as possible, less and less newbies would quit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

So, let’s work together to promote these friendly and safe environments for white belts to learn and grow.

The moment I started Jiu-Jitsu, my body started to transform. Why? Of course, because you burn a lot of calories during a BJJ class. But it’s also because it changed my mindset.

Jiu-Jitsu instilled an athlete mindset in me. It made me wanna take care of my body.

So, through BJJ’s motivation, I started to lift weights and eat healthier. It gave me a reason and purpose – nothing else before was able to give me that.

So, within a year, I completely transformed my body and mind. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is truly one of the best things that happened to me.

How Did I Use Jiu-Jitsu To Lose Weight?

1. I showed Up

Getting better in Jiu-Jitsu only works if you stay consistent. If you only come once in a blue moon, you won’t gonna make it.

BJJ forced my to show up to practice – Week in, week out. And by doing so, Jiu-Jitsu consumed my life. I started consuming ton of BJJ content, I talked about it more and I drilled at home. It became a big part of my life.

So of course I shedded a lot of calories when going 3-4 times a week to practice, but it also changed how I think and behave.

2. Developed an athlete mindset

By letting Brazilian Jiu jitsu to consume my life, I developed a mind of an athlete. I wanted to be good at it. So I needed to work on my technique strength and performance.

That meant I was skipping the bars and the clubs. Instead I was going to BJJ. I was not eating before practice because I wanted to perform to the best of my abilities.

3. I competed

This was huuuge – A few months into BJJ I started to compete. Competitions have weight classes – and I was inbetween 2 weight classes. Of coruse I want to compete at the lower one – so that motivated me even more to lose the weight.

Also when you have a competition coming up, you’ll be hyper focused. No way I’ll miss practice. No way I’ll eat that cookie.

I did everything to be prepared. And by doing that, I lived more like a warrior. There’s no space for unhealthy behaviour.

4. Changed my Eating Habits

I used to not really take care of what I eat. I didn’t enough WHY behind me to stop eating unhealthy. BJJ gave me that why.

It didn’t feel right to eat all that sugery and processed food. It wasn’t aligned with the new lifestyle I set up for myself.

Of course, I didn’t change my diet completely, but I got more careful of what and when I eat.

5. Went to the Gym

Once I saw that my body is changing, I got super motivated to do strength training.

Once I noticed that the strength I build in the gym is also got for Jiu-Jitsu, I got really into it. So motivation to go wasn’t an issue anymore. I went to BJJ class 3-4 times a week and went 1-2 a week to the gym.

It’s easy to work out when you have a big prupose on why you do it.

Things To Avoid When Using BJJ For Weight Loss

1. Don’t use Jiu Jitsu as an excuse to overeat

I know that Jiu Jitsu burns a lot of calories. Especially if you roll a lot. But this shouldn’t be an excuse to overeat. You have to still eat healthy.

If you come home from practice and eat pizza, you might even gain weight. BJJ is not a magic pill. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will help you to loose weight but you still have to get your diet right.

2. Don’t Forget Strength Training

Jiu Jitsu doesn’t make you muscular. You might lose weight but if you don’t strength train you could end up skinny fat.

So try to go to the gym at least 1-2 times a week and do some strength training.

Your body will get a nice shape and it’ll help your game.

My Jiu-Jitsu Body Transformation: Final Advice

So if you want to transform your body, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to do that. I struggled with my weight for years. It’s because I didn’t have a strong enough why. I didn’t have a purpose. BJJ installed it in me.

Since I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so many great things happened for me – I started my own business, I lost weight and gained muscle, I got more confident, I feel more safe, and I developed consistency.

Jiu Jitsu is an art that’s beneficial for the body and mind. Drop the long sessions on th treadmill, go do something more fun. And for me that is Jiu Jitsu.

BJJ is a combat sport. Even though it’s considered safer than other martial arts, injuries are still common.

I always had the perception that injuries are just bad luck. Something that happens to you. While there is some truth to it, it’s wrong to think that way.

John Danaher once said: “50-70% of the worst injuries in BJJ are entirely avoidable.”

And I think that holds true. I spoke to many people about that topic and got many different perspectives that I’m gonna share with you in this post.

What Are The Common BJJ Injuries?

In BJJ, we have less severe injuries, such as broken bones, but we have more chronic long-term injuries, such as lower back pain.

The most common BJJ injuries in BJJ are:

• 1. Lower Back Injuries
• 2. Neck Injuries
• 3. Knee Injuries
• 4. Shoulder Injuries
• 5. Wrist, Hand, And Finger Injuries
• 6. Elbow Injuries
• 7. Cauliflower Ear
• 8. Skin Infections
• 9. Concussions

Personally, I have dealt with dislocated fingers, wrist issues, tennis elbows, and skin infections. I’m young, so my body is able to recover fast. But when you speak to the older BJJ folks, you’ll notice that some of them have severe issues.

It’s inevitable that you get injured – but there are some things you can do to minimize the risk. If you’re the person who has had a lot of these injuries, you need to start asking yourself this question: Am I responsible for those?

How To Avoid Injuries in BJJ

1. Strength Training

You need to work out. The number one protection against injuries is to strengthen your body. I dodged many injuries because I built a strong and resilient body. Don’t underestimate this.

You need to start thinking like an athlete. You’ll be less injured and your BJJ will improve.

2. Hygiene

Skin infections are real in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I sweat so much during BJJ class. Do me a favor and take care of your hygiene. I had staph infections before, and it’s not fun.

Of course, you cannot control other people’s hygiene, but you can control your own. It’s a nasty injury and will keep you out of the mats for a long time if you are not careful.

3. Choose who you roll with

Now, this one is huge. Usually, you’ll know really quickly with whom the roll will be a war and with whom you can have a chill one. In every gym, there are guys with big egos.

That’s why I’m a fan of approaching the people I wanna roll with. Be initiative. If you wait until you get chosen, you won’t have any control over who’ll choose you. Of course, you can also say no, but it’s best if you go forward and approach people.

Take control over who you train with.

4. Warm-Up

This one is for me. I skip warm-ups a lot. Somehow, the higher the belt, the fewer warm-ups people do…:D Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is somehow the only combat sport where warm-ups are forgotten.

I’m still young, so I can get away with it (most times…), but the older you get, the more important warm-ups become. You need to make it a point to warm up. If your gym doesn’t warm up, come 5 minutes earlier and warm yourself up.

5. Good communication

I need to get better at this. I used not to have any conversations whatsoever before a roll. I’d just roll with anybody without hesitation. But it’s good to communicate with your training partners what kind of roll you want to have.

Communicate if you have an injury. And tell them – do you want to have a war? Do you want to go slow? Do you want to work on something specific?

Communication is key. You’ll avoid injuries, and your fellow BJJ practitioners will appreciate it.

6. No slamming

This one is huge!! Don’t slam, don’t jump into guard, don’t drop your weight on somebody. I believe every BJJ Gym needs to establish these rules to make it safer for everybody.

“90% of the worst injuries in BJJ come from falling bodyweight. It’s not heel hooks, it’s not the armbars that hurt you. It’s people landing on you.”

John Danaher

Read this quote again. 90% is nuts. So we can actually proactively avoid injuries in BJJ. Just leave out falling onto each other. Communicate that!

7. Tap Early

Now, you still need to tap early. If you’re in a position you cannot get out of, just tap. After a while, you’ll know when you can tough it out and when it’s time to tap.

I had some bad experiences with tapping out too late when I got armbared. I had problems with my elbows for weeks. So don’t be like me. I know it can get competitive, and that’s okay. Just know, life will go on, even if you tap…

8. Train light if injured

I’m a fan of going to practice even if you have a small injury (except if it’s a skin infection, stay home!!). When I have small injuries, I go for the drilling and maybe do some positional sparring. And If I feel good I do 1-2 light rolls.

But I see too many training full blast with injuries. It’s good to think like a warrior. But be a smart one. Overtraining is real. Give your body the rest it needs.

I was training with a sprained finger for weeks. What could’ve healed within 2 weeks took 3 months to heal completely.

9. Control your Ego

Ego in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is common. Even though I think there’s less ego in BJJ than in other martial arts, there’s still a lot of Ego in the training room. It’s just how it is.

But you need to control yours. Many BJJ injuries happen because of Ego, Maybe you didn’t tap where you should’ve tapped, you went too aggressive on someone, you wanted to win at all costs, etc…

Don’t be that guy or girl. In the end, it’s just Jiu-Jitsu…

10. Use Protective Gear

When I started to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I went to practice with my regular Gym clothes. And I paid for it with rashes. I’d advise you to invest in a couple of Rash Guards. They keep your skin safe.

Also, it’d be smart to invest in a mouthguard too. They not only protect your teeth and tongue, but also help against concussions. Even though you don’t throw punches in BJJ, accidental blows do happen.

Which BJJ Techniques Should Be Banned?

I heard John Danaher talking about BJJ techniques that should be banned in BJJ training. You can do them in competition or in an MMA fight, but not during practice. And I thought they made a lot of sense. So here are the techniques he wants to ban:

Jumping Guard

By jumping into Guard, you are throwing body weight onto your opponent uncontrollably. Uncontrolled movements lead to injuries. That, combined with falling body weights, and you are destined for a disaster.

So pull Guard, don’t jump Guard.

Flying Submissions

Here, as well, you’ll fall with your whole body weight onto your opponent’s body. That, combined with a submission attempt, can end pretty badly. Again, do them in competition, not in practice.

Don’t jump onto your training partners!!

Final Words

So, to round up the post, please take care of yourself. Avoiding Injuries are a huge part of how to get better. If you’re constantly injured, you won’t get better.

Even though there are some things out of our control, there are many things we can do to avoid injuries.

So please, for your and your training partners’ sake – do everything in your control to stay safe.

The instructor is a humble Brazilian black belt. I believe he has been training BJJ for 40 years. What more do you want? A black belt who is from the homeland of BJJ is living in Uganda. I was so happy that I found him.

I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before visiting his Gym and talk to you about my experience there. So read along and make sure to visit him!

Location, Training Schedule, Pricing

Location

You will find the Gym in Selina Plaza in Kampala. It’s not the best area in Kampala and a bit far away from where I live. But I didn’t feel unsafe over there. You have to go inside the Plaza and down the stairs, and there you find the Gym. It’s hard to find at the beginning, so ask people when you arrive. They usually know.

Training Schedule

When I was there, they trained 2 times a week (Tuesday and Thursday). I didn’t know whether that changed. I think that they’ll offer more when more people sign up. Also, they were thinking about adding kids’ classes to the schedule.

They always switch between 1 month of Gi Training and then 1 month of no-gi training. When I was there it was time for no-gi.

Pricing

The classes are cheap by Western standards. But of course, compared to the rest of the prices in Uganda, it could seem expensive. But getting coached by a Brazilian black belt with so much experience – there’s no other place you’ll have the opportunity to do so for this price.

You should contact the coach directly via his Instagram. He answers quickly and will tell you everything you need to know.

My Experience at Gomes BJJ, Kampala

The Instructor

I loved his way of teaching. He is very calm and collected. From the first day, I could feel that he had much experience. He has a teaching style I haven’t seen anywhere else.

After every drill we practiced, he made us note down what we just learned. He said we should write in our own words. I liked that he did that. I could see the techniques sticking better into my head because I was visualizing and writing it down again. It also made me realize when I didn’t understand the technique correctly.

At the end of each class, he also takes 5 minutes away from us being able to ask questions. He asked every one of us and was truly open to our comments. Sometimes, he also shared experiences about his BJJ journey – which was truly inspiring.

The Team

I loved training with the team. They have a couple of blue belts and some white belts. It’s not a big team but everybody was supportive. I could see that they have a nice dynamic going on.

The rolls were very competitive. They have a high pace and the instructor also wants it like that. He focuses on self-defense Jiu Jitsu rather than competition Jiu Jitsu. I liked that.

I felt very welcomed by everybody. When I came in they introduced themselves, asked me for my name and made sure I’m part of a team. So it was very easy to connect with them. So don’t worry, it’s a chill environment over there

BJJ in Uganda: Final Words

I only trained about 6-8 times with them but I learned a lot. They were doing leg locks when I was there and I felt like I gained a lot of knowledge about them during my time there.

I felt comfortable and welcomed and the coaching was very new to me. This was the only Brazilian instructor I ever had, and I loved it.

So don’t worry. Text them on Instagram and let them know when you’re coming. They are open and happy to have you.

And if you have any questions, please let me know!!

I was training with them for 5 weeks. I was there almost every day. I sometimes went twice a day. I made so much progress during my time there; it’s incredible. Therefore, I’ll forever be grateful to everybody there with me.

Today, I want to give you an honest look into the question: Is training at 10th Planet in NYC worth it? I’ll share everything I did and didn’t like there.

Schedule, Location & Pricing

Schedule

In terms of training, you get spoiled there. During the week, they have 3 classes daily (morning, midday, and evening). Sometimes, they also have two evening classes. One is for absolute beginners, and one is for advanced.

The head coaches, Rey and Cece, coach during the week, and on the weekends, I got trained from blue and purple belts from the academy. On weekends, they have classes assigned to leglocks and their famous rubber guard.

Also, they now have a complete beginner intro class taught by a Marcelo Garcia black belt (Monday and Wednesday evening) – it’s nice for those of you who have never done Jiu Jitsu. I joined one of them – it’s 45 minutes of drilling, no rolling, and he explains the basics well.

So you have everything there: beginner and advanced classes, leglock, rubber guard, and EBI-overtime classes. So, if you’re into No-Gi, they cover everything.

Location

The location is perfect – It’s right next to Bryant Park. I was living in Queens at the time, and the connections there were easy and straightforward. Just don’t miss the little 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu sign at the entrance ( I missed it twice and came late for my first class). Then, go up; it’s on the 4th floor.

However, NYC is not known for having a lot of space. Their Gym is quite small. The evening classes are packed. It was hard not to bump into each other when rolling. So I’d recommend you go to the midday and morning classes – they are more chill, and you’ll have more space.

But what’s cool is – they have two mats – sometimes in the evening they have 2 classes at the same time. Sometimes, I see people just rolling on the second mat. I liked that you could just go there and roll with somebody outside of class.

Pricing

It’s expensive to train there, like everything in NYC. But if you go often, it’s worth it. In 5 weeks, I had about 30 training sessions. So if in the end I only paid about 5 USD per training session.

Training Structure at 10th Planet NYC

Their training structure is unique, and I liked it. You do only a little warm-up, sometimes none (so if you believe in proper warm-up before practice, you won’t gonna like that). After you do 45 minutes of drilling/ positional sparring, After they end the official class, people get to roll freely.

Sometimes I rolled for 2 rounds, sometimes 10 rounds, and sometimes I didn’t roll. I liked that they did a cut between class and rolling. In other academies, I felt pressured to stay until the end.

Here, I could decide whether I wanted to roll or not. Sometimes, I skipped rolling so I’m fresh for the evening classes.

Their classes are well-structured and short. I like short classes. At some other gyms, I trained in train for 2 – 2.5 hours, and after some time, my brain just shut down and didn’t process information as well anymore.

Sometimes, the problem with learning BJJ is that the classes lack structure. One day, you learn leg locks; the other, you learn back takes. Not here. In the midday class, we trained Guard passing and Guard retention for 3 weeks – there was a clear structure to it, and that’s how I got to put these techniques into my muscle memories.

Also, they don’t put too many techniques in one class. They focus on drilling one technique over and over again instead of doing many techniques for only a small amount of time.

My Experience at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in NYC

When I first came into the place, I was nervous. It’s always nerve-wracking to go to a new academy. But once I got in, Cece greeted me nicely and explained everything. She was very welcoming and friendly when I came in; she even gave me a week for free at the end.

I could feel that both Cece and Rey were passionate about teaching this beautiful art. Also, the other coaches were all super nice and supportive. Everybody knew I was just there for a limited time, but they still gave me a lot of time and attention.

I’ve never seen a Jiu Jitsu Gym with this kind of dedication. It was truly inspiring to witness. They go into competitions together, they challenge each other, and everybody gets celebrated for their progress. It’s very cool what Rey and Cece have built there at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in NYC.

The Gym has a lot of high-level grapplers. They have BJJ athletes in every colored belt level. But they don’t pay too much attention to belts, which I like. They focus more on getting better than worrying about belts.

Be aware that there are many different people. Some you’ll connect more and with some less. Even after 5 weeks of training there, I still saw new faces I hadn’t seen before. So, get used to rolling with a lot of strangers.

For the most part, everybody is friendly, though. I felt comfortable training there, and honestly, now, looking back at it, I miss it. I learned a lot during my time there, and that’s the most important thing.

So if u’d ask me – I’d recommend training there.

Just be aware, though, that there is only 1 shower. So that means the waiting time can be long, especially during the evening classes.

But don’t worry about hygiene. They clean their mats after every practice, and everybody follows the hygiene rules there. There was nothing in terms of hygiene I was concerned about.

Final Words

So, as I said, if you’re looking for a No-Gi Gym in NYC, 10th Planet is the place to go. Just approach them for a free trial class and see for yourself.

I felt comfortable asking my questions and approaching people over there. I’d recommend visiting the morning and midday classes during the week – they are much more personal, and I found it easier to connect with people there.

Just be aware that you’ll be rolling with many strangers, that the space is limited, and that the price only becomes affordable if you commit to coming often. It doesn’t make sense if you only come once or twice a week.

Please reach out if you have any questions regarding training in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in NYC. I’m happy to guide you.

I didn’t know what to expect. It was my first time going to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym outside of Europe. So I took a cab and went there.

I got a bit lost, but after some searching, I found their BJJ Gym within “Juventus Club” – a small complex of different sports activities, such as football (soccer, for the Americans under us…) and tennis).

And I’m so grateful I went – they have a lot of dedicated and driven athletes. Plus, they have one of the nicest atmospheres I ever witnessed.

Training Schedule, Location & Pricing

They train 4x a week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. You can check out their schedule on their Instagram site.

They offer both Gi and No-Gi training. But I didn’t have my Gi, so it’s okay to come without a Gi if you don’t have one.

They are located right behind Meskel Square, in Juventus Club. I got a bit lost getting there, but if you get lost, ask the locals about “Juventus Club.” They usually know. Once in Juventus Club, go through until the very end of the complex – there you find their Gym.

And if you take a cab (Feres or Ride are the cab companies in Ethiopia – similar to Uber), tell them to drive you to Meskel Square.

The pricing of this Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gym is not high if you are used to European or American prices. For exact prices, either contact them on Instagram or Facebook or text Yared (the head coach) directly at his number: +251 92 217 1985.

When I trained there, I discovered that a blue belt training under Kao opened up his own Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Gym in Hawassa, Ethiopia! So I also went and visited them too.

This Gym is much smaller but equally as nice. If you want his contact, contact me or ask the guys in Addis about him.

My Experience at Kao BJJ

I can not speak highly enough of that Gym. They take their training seriously. Their head coach was an American black belt called Colin. Unfortunately, he is not there anymore, so now, the head coach is a purple belt called Yared.

Yared is highly skilled, and he knows how to teach. Even though he knew I would be there for a limited time, he took his time for me. He gave me attention and was super friendly. You can truly feel he’s passionate about what he’s doing.

The Gym is packed during the weekdays. The Gym is rather small, but there’s enough space for everybody.

Their team consists of a great mix of white and blue belts. And from what I saw, the blue belts are legit. They could easily compete with the blue belts in Europe.

I felt welcome there at all times. They were very supportive and welcoming, and I loved training with them. I cannot wait to go back.

The Background of Kao BJJ

The head coach, Yared, has a Judo background and got involved in BJJ (Idk how, good question you should ask him…) He was a blue belt when he started Kao BJJ in Ethiopia.

Then Colin, the American black belt, took over most of the training. Under him, Yared got promoted to a purple belt.

They started small, but more and more people became interested over the years. I also saw some non-ethiopians training there.

Now, they have many great members—many new white belts, some established white belts, and many blue belts.

Now, they are recognized as one of the best BJJ Gyms in East Africa, with many great athletes training there.

The Future of BJJ in Ethiopia

Kao BJJ’s goal is to make Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu more accessible in Africa. They are at the forefront of promoting this beautiful martial art. They are the only ones training BJJ in Ethiopia and want to expand.

They are also cooperating with BJJ Gyms in neighboring African countries. They participate in East African competitions and are heavily involved in the BJJ community.

Their intention is beautiful, and I’m sure they’ll have great success. From what I saw, the future of BJJ in Ethiopia is bright.

Final Words

So, as you can see, I’m a fan. Ethiopia is not easy to navigate at the beginning. I was in a foreign country, which was a lot to process.

But once I went to Kao, things became easier. I met great people, got a lot of guidance and support, and had a great time there.

So, if you’re considering visiting a BJJ Gym in Ethiopia, please do. They are open to everybody and have a great atmosphere.

And if you have any questions, please reach out; I’m happy to help!!

I had my first BJJ competition this year, which was quite an experience. Many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners decide to compete. But some choose not to.

In the end, it’s your decision. But I can say that BJJ competitions are so much different than your regular roll in the Gym. BJJ tournaments are harder.

So, should you go through that pain of adrenaline, nervousness, and fear of failure? Absolutely. Let me explain why.

Benefits of BJJ Competitions

I’m a fan of BJJ competitions. They need to be a part of your Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle if you’re serious about it. Here are the main benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments:

1. Speeds Up Learning: Just like my coach says, one competition is like a month of training. He’s right! I felt a huge difference in practice after my first competition. It’s great for speeding up your progress in BJJ.
2. More Serious Training: Competitions make you take your training more seriously. The time I knew I was gonna compete, I trained harder, I ate cleaner, and there was no way I’d miss practice. 
3. New Opponents, New Techniques: Rolling against guys you don’t know is gold. They often do things you don’t know yet. Their Gym trains different. So you’ll learn new techniques and setups.
4. Beat the Nerves: You’ll learn how to handle nervousness and adrenaline. It’s important to know how to handle this, not only for BJJ but for life. 
5. Team Bonding: Competitions bring you closer to your teammates. I got really tight with mine during BJJ competitions.
6. Essential for Mastery: To get good at martial arts, you must compete. There’s no way around it. You need to get used to the stress and unpredictability of it. 

So you see, there are plenty of reasons. I know it’s stressful, but it’s so beneficial.

Concerns about BJJ Competitions

But BJJ tournaments are not all good. There are a few things to keep in mind before signing up:

1. Starting Too Early: Some coaches worry about competing too early. They think if you get smashed in a tournament, it might demotivate you. But I’m all for early competition. I jumped in 6 months into BJJ and could’ve started even earlier. I’d say if you’ve had around 30 Jiu-Jitsu sessions, you’re ready to hit the mat!
2. Injury Risk: Everyone’s pumped up on adrenaline in competitions and wants to win. That means the injury rate is higher than in practice.
3. Costs Money: Joining BJJ competitions isn’t always cheap. My Gym covers my tournament fees, but not all gyms do that. Traveling and entering a tournament can add up in costs.
4. Big Time Commitment: Training for a competition is serious. You have to train hard, eat right, and live like an athlete. It takes a lot of time and effort.

Are BJJ Competitions Worth It: Final Words

With all that being said, BJJ competitions are totally worth it. If you train BJJ, you need to compete. At least once, see how it feels.

If you don’t want to compete, ask yourself why. Most often, the answer you’ll find is the fear of failing. The fear of losing. And if that’s your reason, then you need to compete. This is not a reason.

We need to learn to get over this, and what better way to do it than testing your skills in a BJJ tournament?

I gained so much knowledge for my BJJ and for my life in general from BJJ competitions. Also, after my first BJJ competition, I started to take Jiu-Jitsu more seriously. It’s the experience I needed to approach BJJ with the mindset of an athlete.

So go out there and compete.