What is no-gi BJJ?

No-gi means Brazilian jiu-jitsu without the kimono. You train in a rashguard and shorts or spats. There are no fabric grips: you control your partner’s head, arms, body and legs directly. That makes the game faster and more physical.

No-gi grappling puts a lot of weight on underhooks, wrestling grips, front headlocks and leg attacks. If you come from wrestling, judo or MMA, you will often feel at home quickly. If you are new, you learn the same principles as in the gi: balance, leverage, position.

Gi or no-gi? The detailed comparison

Die hellen Matten des BJJ DOJO Berlin in Kreuzberg. Foto: Photo Blackbelt.

How no-gi works here

Clear levels, fixed times, respectful partners.

Classes by level

No-Gi Beginner to get started, No-Gi All Levels for everyone who already rolls. The schedule shows which class fits you.

Daytime classes too

Not just evenings: there are no-gi sessions in the morning and in the afternoon. Handy if you work flexible hours or your evenings are already full.

Respect and safety

Tap early, roll with control, look after your partner. That goes for beginners and advanced students alike.

Mix gi and no-gi

Our tip: two gi sessions and one no-gi session a week. The gi builds precision, no-gi builds tempo and pressure. Both are included in your membership.

No-gi times

Mon

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

  • NoGI - Beginner

    -

Wed

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

Thu

  • NoGI - Beginner

    -

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

Fri

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

  • NoGI - All levels

    -

All times are in the training schedule. Completely new to BJJ? Start with the beginners course or join a No-Gi Beginner session.

Who is no-gi for?

New to jiu-jitsu

No experience needed. The No-Gi Beginner class meets you where you are. If you would rather learn the basics in the gi first, start with the beginners course.

You already train in the gi

No-gi rounds out your game: control without fabric, tempo, leg attacks and fast transitions.

Wrestling, judo, MMA

You bring grips and pressure. In no-gi grappling you turn them into a ground game.

Visiting Berlin? Come to open mat, gi or no-gi by agreement with your partner.
No-gi for kids is offered in summer only: Kids BJJ.
Prices · Free trial class

NoGi-Training im BJJ DOJO Berlin: Kopfkontrolle und Handfight im Stand. Foto: Photo Blackbelt.

What to bring for no-gi

  • Top: a rashguard or a tight-fitting long-sleeve shirt.
  • Bottoms: short sports shorts without pockets or zips, or spats.
  • Hygiene: clean training clothes, short finger- and toenails, sandals off the mat.
  • No jewellery: rings, chains and watches stay in your bag.
  • Trial class: comfortable sportswear with long trousers and a T-shirt is enough.

Belts? We only award belts in the gi. No-gi runs without its own belt system. More here: belt promotions in BJJ.

Rated 5 out of 5

What our members say

Reviews on Google

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Engin profile picture
Engin
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I visited a few dojos in Berlin and BJJ DOJO Berlin is the best one. If you’re starting your BJJ journey and want to be surrounded by respectful people, this is the place for you.
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Luciano Muradas profile picture
Luciano Muradas
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Wunderbare familiäre Atmosphäre! Sauberes und ordentliches Fitnessstudio. Hochwertiges Training mit den besten Trainern!
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Rafael Santos profile picture
Rafael Santos
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Great price, Great people, great vibe, unbelievably good world class athletes as coaches. Par with any hi-profile celebrity dojo in europe!
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Talita Rhein
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Sonia Ariz profile picture
Sonia Ariz
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Beautiful jiujitsu academy at the Bergmannkiez. From the moment you get in, you can feel the welcoming atmosphere, calm but at the same very clean and sober. Great place to learn good, beautiful jiujitsu. Rodrigo’s style is technical, dynamic and super fun. They also have daily open mats, a big plus for those higher belts looking to get extra rounds in! 10/10 super recommended!
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Daniel Schafffer profile picture
Daniel Schafffer
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Großartige Schule, um BJJ zu lernen: Sehr gute Trainer, die gut erklären können, sehr nette andere Mitglieder und eine tolle Atmosphäre. Es macht wirklich sehr viel Spaß dort zu trainieren.
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Jan Bařinka profile picture
Jan Bařinka
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Great place to learn BJJ with an amazing community!
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Andre Vinicius profile picture
Andre Vinicius
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Very nice place to learn jiu jitsu. Rodrigo and his team were very nice to me in my trial class. His members were very close to me in the class trying to teach me every detail and Rodrigo as well. My kid had also his trial class. He’s 7 years old and loved it. I recommend everyone to go to Rodrigo’s dojo and try BJJ, also bring your kids there I’m sure you will enjoy.
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Diego Ladines profile picture
Diego Ladines
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Schöner Ort zum Trainieren und die Atmosphäre ist sehr aufmerksam und sehr technisch. Die Schüler sind immer bereit, Ihnen bei etwas zu helfen, das Sie nicht verstehen. Ich kann es zu 100 % empfehlen

No-gi BJJ FAQ

Do I need experience for no-gi?

No. In the No-Gi Beginner class you can start from zero. If you would rather learn the basics in the gi first, we recommend the beginners course.

Is no-gi included in the membership?

Yes. No-gi is part of your membership, so there is no extra charge. You can find the prices on the prices page.

Is there no-gi for kids?

For kids, no-gi is offered in summer only. You can find all kids classes on the kids page.

What do I wear for no-gi?

A rashguard or a tight-fitting long-sleeve shirt and short sports shorts without pockets or zips. For the trial class, comfortable sportswear is enough.

Should I start with gi or no-gi?

Our recommendation: the gi if you can, because it slows everything down and teaches clean technique. You can also start straight in no-gi. Later the two complement each other.

Are there belts in no-gi?

Not with us. Belts are only awarded in the gi. How we award belts is explained on our belt promotions page.

When is no-gi?

Several times a week, in the morning, afternoon and evening. The current times are in the training schedule.

What is the difference between no-gi and grappling?

Grappling is the umbrella term for fighting on the ground and in the clinch without striking. It includes wrestling, judo groundwork and BJJ. No-gi BJJ is Brazilian jiu-jitsu without the kimono, so grappling with BJJ techniques such as control, joint locks and chokes.

Can I drop in from another academy?

Yes, guests are welcome at open mat, gi or no-gi by agreement with your training partner. Details and prices are on the open mat page.

Come to no-gi training

No-gi BJJ in Kreuzberg, Bergmannstraße 5. Start with a free trial class and tell us whether you want to begin in the gi or no-gi.