What’s a rash guard? It is a shirt or leggings that are made of a spandex type of slick material. They are used to reduce skin abrasion and bruises in grappling. I started like most beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (a.k.a. BJJ) with just a t-shirt and sweats. I came home each time bruised like a Dalmatian. I soon got my Gi, the traditional uniform in most martial arts. As anyone who works with their hands knows a good pair of work gloves keeps you from getting blisters. When it come to BJJ, a Gi is the equivalent of work gloves. But I found I was still getting some bruises. I noticed that some of the others had shinny shirts. That is how I found out about Rash Guards. When you wear a rash guard it gives you added protection by decreasing the friction between you and what ever comes in contact with you. With my new rash guard I stopped being bruised. Yes, some of the bruising was due to inexperience in grappling but after I got the Gi and rash guard my bruises all but went away. It also helps protect you again the dreaded ring worm that come from grappling the “unclean”. A rash guard in my opinion is a must.
What brand of rash guard is best? I stared with Under Armour. Their Heat Gear line is what is sold all over the web in MMA, Mixed Martial Art, sites. I use a compression long sleeve top. I understand that a loser fitting shirt can be better as the compression tops tend to roll up in grappling. I am waiting on a lose fitting long sleeve top from Sprawl to see if it works any better. I also have ordered a pair of their shorts to see if their claims at being the best are true.
