This is not an article for jiu-jitsu athletes, but rather for their loved ones. Their spouses, their family and their friends. Very often gift shopping for jiu-jitsu folk can be difficult, they spend all of their time in a stinky gym doing stinky things with stinky people, and you never really know what to get them. Here’s a list of things you can get them…
Now, I’m not going to give you obvious things like “new gi” or “new rash guard” because those are too easy, here are ideas that venture a bit outside the box…
- A private lesson. A private lesson with a good instructor can be priceless. You can learn game changing details especially if you know what you want to learn. Find out who your jiujiteiro loved one admires most in the jiu-jitsu community, and if possible buy them a private lesson with them. The nice thing about this is that it’s a gift that no one “already has.”
- Myofascial release tools. Anyone who trains often has all sorts of aches and pains. A really good foam roller, massage ball, or other tool in this category can be life changing. I personally love Rumble Roller’s products (I am not sponsored, endorsed or paid by Rumble Roller, they just happen to have what I think is the best foam roller on the market.)
- Cryotherapy. Like #2, Cryotherapy can make a big difference for an active jiujiteiro. I am sponsored by a local Cryotherapy joint, Cleveland Cryo, and have found that it does wonders for my aching joints and muscles. Many places offer packs of sessions at discounted rates, so definitely consider this as a possible gift for a jiujiteiro.
- Gym bag. There are bag specifically designed for jiu-jitsu and combat sports. If your friend/family member/loved one is using a crappy bag, consider upgrading them to one of these. There are plenty of online reviews, I am personally partial to Datsusara’s product offering, but there are dozens of options. My best advice is shop around.
- Fancy-Funk-Fighting-Soap. There are dozens of companies out there that make tea tree oil infused soaps, or other substances that fight off mat funk. A good soap is always desirable for jiu-jitsu athletes as skin infections can be a very annoying way to get sidelined. I’m partial to my sponsor, Gladiator Soap’s, products, but there is a bewildering number of options. Like some of the other options on this list, you can’t really go wrong here. It’s hard to have too much soap at one’s disposal. I also really like wipes designed to kill mat funk.
These are just 5 options that most people probably wouldn’t think of on their own. What are some other creative gifts that you can buy a jiu-jitsu enthusiast?
