A year ago, I was the only female training Brazilian jiu jitsu at Titans Fitness Academy here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We introduced a women-only BJJ program and since November 2013, we have slowly built our numbers to about ten female students.

LEARN MORE: My Case for Women Only Beginner BJJ Classes

GGC: A Company Founded by Women

The increase in the female BJJ student population is happening in clubs around the world. One organization that has helped to spread the word and support the female BJJ community is Groundwell Grappling Concepts (GGC). Back in 2008, purple belt Alaina Hardie was frustrated at the lack of women available to train with and presented an idea to her instructor, Felicia Oh. The GGC site explains:

She floated the idea of a women’s grappling camp to Felicia, asking the Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) black belt if she’d be interested in arranging a non-competition situation in which women could train, troubleshoot, lead, and instruct each other in BJJ and submission grappling. Felicia enlisted the help of fellow female grapplers, then brown belt and current black belt Valerie Worthington and black belt Emily Kwok, both decorated competitors like herself, to help her with the leadership of the camp.

The concept exploded, with all of the scheduled camps selling out. Eight years later, they’re still going strong. Operations have evolved to include co-ed camps, and black belt world champion Hannette Staack has also joined the organization permanently, bringing her extensive experience and energy with her.

With the increase of women training BJJ, the gear designed specifically for women has exploded as well. I’ve done a lot of gear reviews over the past couple of years and I certainly don’t need a new rashguard, but when I saw GGC’s new rashguard design pop up on Facebook, I had to have it. Now, after wearing it at least once a week for about a year, it’s still one of my favorites.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GGC CAMPS: Why I Love Teaching Women’s Grappling Camp

Features

• Made in collaboration with Fuji Fight Science Wear
• 88% polyester, 12% spandex
• Designed for the female figure
• Sublimated graphics
• Flatlock stitching

Quality and Style

The GGC rashguard design is a blow-up of their company logo. When I asked Valerie Worthington about it, she explained, “The design is intended to reflect the name, Groundswell, so a sense of flow, movement, smoothness is definitely intended.” For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term “groundswell,” it is defined on Wiktionary as “A broad undulation of the open ocean, often as the result of a distant disturbance.”

“Performance-wise, this rashguard wicked moisture away from the skin well. It remained light and comfortable even in the most disgusting, sweaty rolls.”

The curved lines are flattering and simple enough to wear with any grappling bottoms. Stitching and fabric are top quality, as well. Here it is a year later and there are no unraveled seams and no pilling along any of the friction points. The rashguard practically looks brand new.

Fit and Comfort

Fit and comfort ranked ten out of ten for me. The rashguard fit perfectly in every way and was extremely comfortable during rolling. I love how it is cut to come in a bit at the waist before the slight flare at the hips. Some of the unisex or men’s rashguards are a bit baggy in the body, which can be great for chubby days. But this rashguard seems to hide the chubby without being baggy because of its streamlined cut and graphics. Due to the additional length, it rarely rode up to expose my midriff.

RELATED: The Top 10 BJJ Rashguards for Women

I identified an added bonus when I saw that my new spats were showing sweat marks in the rear. At the time I was wearing another rashguard, but because I had packed for two no-gi classes that day, I switched it out for my GGC rashguard and pulled it down over my bum. A temporary fix, but welcome nonetheless!

Performance-wise, this rashguard wicked moisture away from the skin well. It remained light and comfortable even in the most disgusting, sweaty rolls.

Customer Service

When I ordered this rashguard, a couple of glitches occurred at the fault of the courier. I contacted GGC and Valerie went above and beyond to ensure that I received the rashguard as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Follow Groundswell Grappling Concepts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up to date on camp scheduling and new products. One of these days, I’m going to get myself organized and join them for a week. What could be more exciting? Maybe I’ll see you there!

The Groundswell Grappling Concepts rashguard is available for $60.00 at GroundswellGrappling.com.

The post Groundswell Grappling Concepts Rashguard (Product Review) appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Gawakoto Clothing is a fightwear brand owned by artist Bong Abad. Many of his designs are inspired by his Filipino heritage, such as the Kalabaw rashguard (which I loved but was too big for me), but he is also a huge comic book fan and has collaborated with Art Junkie Tokyo to create his Save the Earth line. Gawakoto always got lots of “likes” from me when new product photos were posted on Facebook because I loved the artwork, but I was always bummed out because I knew they’d never fit me. The blues are behind me now, though, because Bong sent me the amazing new Kabuki women’s rashguard to review!

When I posted photos of this rashguard on Facebook I was bombarded with questions about where to get it. People who don’t even train BJJ lined up on release day and both small and medium sizes sold out very quickly. This BJJ rashguard for women features artwork depicting one of a body of elite female assassins in The Noh. I don’t read comic books so I had no idea what that even was, but after doing a little research, I think he made the perfect decision in collaborating with comic book artist David Mack for this project.

I learned that The Noh is a clandestine government body – a group of female assassins who brutally execute criminals and public figures to maintain a certain balance in society. Kabuki is a young female assassin in The Noh, but the woman on the front of the rashguard is actually a secondary character named Scarab. According to Wikipedia:

…the codename “Scarab” was given to her because it is her duty to clean up the scenes left by the other Noh assassins, very much like the scarab beetle. Initially a street orphan alongside close friend Seiko, she encountered a young motorcycle hooligan named Yukio and quickly fell for him. However Yukio’s involvement with the Yakuza results in him and her friend Seiko being killed. Keiko was granted amnesty for her part by a government agent named Kenji in exchange for the infiltration of various underworld social groups. Alongside this she was also given combat and weaponry training, ultimately leading to her placement as a Noh assassin. Following Kabuki’s betrayal, she and fellow agent Tigerlilly inadvertently form a deep friendship whilst in pursuit. Her Noh costume is a spiked, dominatrix-like bodysuit based on one of Yukio’s drawings, and her mask bears a swirling insect-like pattern.

The back of the rashguard features the birth of the dragon. As Wikipedia further explains, “All Noh assassins bear a dragon tattoo on the back. The dragon wings spread to cover both shoulders, while the tail reaches to the lower back area. A bulletproof kabuki mask covers the face, to conceal the identity. The mask is made of the ceramic lightweight material that used for Japanese bullet trains, and is stronger than metal.” I kind of feel like my rashguard is bulletproof, just like their masks. (Disclaimer: it’s not, really.)

Features

• Beautiful artwork depicting an elite female assassin by David Mack
• Sublimated graphics do not crack, peel, or fade over time
• Multi-panel construction for an athletic, feminine shape
• Flat-lock stitching for long-lasting durability

Comfort and Fit

I don’t like to wear short-sleeved rashguards to no-gi jiu jitsu for hygienic reasons. I feel it’s best to cover as much skin as possible to prevent ringworm and staph infections. The good thing about short-sleeved rashguards made specifically for BJJ, though, is that the sleeves are a little longer than Nike or Under Armour. With those I find that when I’m rolling in a gi that is new or hang-dried, my under arms get chafed because the rashguard material stops right at my armpit. The Gawakoto rashguard’s sleeves are long enough to prevent that problem, yet not long enough to cause overheating.

The material is lightweight and flexible and I didn’t notice any restriction throughout the sleeves and body, but I did find the neck to be a little tight when I first put on the rashguard. I found that it loosened very quickly, though, and haven’t noticed it during training. Although the rashguard is visually striking, I am not a fan of white rashguards or white training gear in general, especially for martial arts and specifically for women. The t-shirts in wet t-shirt contests are white for a reason, and I would hate for anyone to think I wore it to purposely draw attention to myself in that way. The great thing about the design on the front is that the graphics cover areas that generally draw unwanted attention.

Performance and Durability

I found the Kabuki rashguard to be very comfortable while training muay Thai, weightlifting, and BJJ. However, because the white fabric becomes transparent when wet, I only wore it under my gi at BJJ and on its own during private muay Thai training with my boyfriend. I don’t generally sweat a lot when I lift weights, so I often wore it to the local commercial gym, as well. When it did become saturated with sweat, I didn’t notice any heaviness or sagging of the material.

After months of training, there are still no signs of wear and tear, although it is not as vibrantly white as it was initially because I wash it with the rest of my gear after class. At one point, dye from another article of clothing stained the rashguard, but the stain faded significantly after soaking it in bleach. I spot tested the material before immersing it completely and the artwork was not affected. Bleach breaks down fabric over time, though, so I wouldn’t suggest using it regularly.

Most of the rashguards designed for combat sports feature male warriors with jacked-up muscles or battle armour. I often thought about what I’d like to see on a women’s rashguard, but I could never come up anything really cool. Bong created exactly what I would have wanted if I had been aware that Kabuki even existed. I’m so happy companies like Gawakoto are recognizing female athletes in BJJ and expanding their product lines to accommodate us. I’ve even heard that a new rashguard is coming down the pipe, so follow Gawakoto on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get one before they’re all gone. (And guess what? There’s a Kabuki Kimo-Noh, too.)

The Gawakoto x David Mack “Kabuki” Women’s Rashguard is available for $57.50 at Gawakoto Clothing Co.

The post Product Review: Gawakoto x David Mack “Kabuki” Women’s Rashguard appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

If you’ve seen the movie Troy with Brad Pitt, you’ve seen a phalanx formation. Phalanx Fight Company explains why it chose this name on the company website. “Many spear-armed warriors with overlapping shields historically fought in what was referred to as a Phalanx formation. The word has come into use in common English to describe ‘a team of people standing, or moving forward closely together as one.'”

Like Achilles’ Myrmidons, Phalanx Fight Company strives to stand as one with the fight community. They’ve worked hard at designing high-quality gear to enhance our training experience. In addition to gis, tees, and rashguards for men, Phalanx Fight Company has introduced two beautiful gear options for women. The Alloy and the Icon women’s rashguards were designed in collaboration with female combat athletes. Recently I had a chance to try out the Alloy rashguard.

Features

• New, ultra smooth techno fabric by an Italian manufacturer incorporated with Xtra Life Lycra
• Four-way stretch compression fit
• Rubber elastic lining at the waist
• Durable chafe-free flatlock seams
• V-neck for comfort

Quality and Style

The Alloy’s Italian fabric, called “shark skin” is, according to the company, “strong enough for a man but made for a girl who likes to choke boys.” It reminds me of lululemon Luxtreme, only smoother and stronger. This rashguard is flawlessly constructed. The design is simple and elegant with sublimated graphics. Sublimation is a process by which the graphics become part of the fabric and will not crack, peel, or fade over time. Many grappling tops have elasticized waists, but the Alloy takes it a step further with a rubberized waistband to ensure a secure fit.

I’ve worn this rashguard for months and the only visible damage is due to washing it in the machine with my boyfriend’s headgear. Always remember to seal any Velcro closures when washing it with other gear. Velcro is responsible for a lot of destruction in the washing machine.

Fit and Comfort

The Alloy is compression fit and I’ve found it a little harder to put on than looser rashguards, especially when I’m already sweaty. Once the tight spots even out, though, it fits like a glove. Because of the thicker fabric, compression fit, and rubberized waistband, I found it stayed in place much better than many other rashguards, especially in comparison to the Under Armour Heat Gear tops, which were always showing my stomach. I like the V-neck design as well. Some rashguards are a little too tight at the neck and this design eliminates the possibility of discomfort. I did not experience any chafing from the seams at any point either.

When I hear about innovative new fabrics I usually call bullshit, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how effectively the Alloy wicked moisture away from my skin during heavy sweating. It’s almost as though the shirt is sweating, not your body, because the moisture is immediately transferred from your skin to the outside of the fabric.

When I spoke to Chris at Phalanx recently about what’s next for the women’s line he said, “We have a good cut for the gi pattern I finally finished as well. Not sure when that will come to life but all the upcoming female products were designed with absolute influence from female grapplers.” This was exciting news. If the gi is anywhere near the quality of the Alloy, I predict it will be in high demand.

Follow Phalanx FC on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on the gi design and release date. I expect great things!

The Alloy rashguard is available for $44 at PhalanxFC.com.

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There are so many BJJ and MMA gear companies to choose from now it’s hard to keep up with them all. Gameness has been around since 1998 but I had never tried their products until I received the Female Top Dog rashguard to review. I did a little research into the name of the brand and at first I was a little taken aback, since gameness is a term used to describe a characteristic most associated with Pit Bull Terriers in regards to dog fighting.

Breaking Muscle contributor Eric C Stevens examined this concept in his article, Gameness: Pit Bulls Have It, Do You? He shared the research of Sam Sheridan, a Harvard graduate and the author of A Fighters Heart. Eric wrote:

In his book, Sheridan even explores the underground world of illegal dog fighting. Of course, most of us are appalled at the notion of man’s best friend being subjected to the brutality of fighting, but his point is not to glamorize or justify, but to explain the animal behind the fight. Rather than glorify, he instead breaks down why these dogs fight and what they fight for. Specifically, he looks at the often-misunderstood Pit Bull Terrier and why it is considered the ultimate fighting dog. After all, there are bigger dogs, faster dogs, meaner dogs, and stronger dogs. What the pit bull does display more than any other dog is a quality Sheridan calls “gameness.” That is, a love of the fight. A pit bull fights not out of fear, depravation, or anger, but for love – a love of its owner and a love of the fight. Great human champions fight and compete for that same reason, love.

I am a former Pit Bull owner and they will always have a special place in my heart. My pit bull, Sandy (pictured above), was the sweetest, most gentle dog I’ve ever had and I love repping her breed with the Top Dog rashguard.

Quality and Style

With all of the amazing graphics available in the BJJ world right now, understated rashguards like this one run the risk of being overlooked. The only flaw in the design is the screenprinted graphics, which have already begun to crack and peel.

Features

• 93% Polyester, 7% Spandex
• Flatlock seams
• Screenprinted graphics
• Designed exclusively for the female body
• Fabric incorporates eco-friendly antimicrobial treatment
• Violet graphics and stitching perfectly match the Gameness Violet Feather Gi

When my package arrived from Gameness and I examined the fabric, I was skeptical. The color is flat and the fabric isn’t slippery like most training tops. My initial impression of the fabric was that it reminded me of the red slacks I got for Christmas in 1982. When I tried it on though, my skepticism dissolved. Although they feel nice to the touch, shiny and silky rashguards do a great job of showing every little flaw and my body type is the kind that puts on weight right at the waist. Instead of drawing attention to a muffin top, the Gameness rashguard is slimming. The understated design makes it a perfect match to any bottom and I like to pair it with the OK! Kimonos Tora Spats.

Fit and Comfort

Because the slim-fitting Top Dog remains tight to the body throughout any activity, it’s virtually impossible for a training partner to get his or her fingers caught up in the material and become injured. I find it stays in place very well, although no matter what you wear while grappling, it will ride up a little at times and expose the midriff.

What stood out to me while training in this top was how quickly it dries. No matter how sweaty I got, I felt comfortable. There’s a popular meme featuring a woman wearing a moistened sports bra and hand wraps with a dewy sheen to her skin. It says, “I feel prettiest when I sweat.” I don’t. When I train, I look as though I’ve been dragged down the road for a couple of miles in a hurricane. Not only am I covered in my own sweat, I’m also drenched in the sweat of my training partners.

This rashguard efficiently wicked sweat away from my skin and the fabric doesn’t seem to retain the fluid. I’ve even worn this rashguard into the sauna while using Sweet Sweat and it still didn’t get that heavy, wet feeling that many fabrics do. I usually wear long-sleeved shirts to no gi and short-sleeved shirts to my strength and conditioning training and under my gi. I’m so glad I have both versions of this rashguard to wear for any activity.

Customer Service

I was sent the Top Dog rashguards for review so I did not have a typical customer experience. They do offer same-day shipments and my order was sent via UPS with tracking options. Any time I contacted Gameness regarding the shipment, their customer service team responded that day. In addition to my review gear, they included the Gameness Ladies Shield T-shirt, which I wear constantly. It is difficult to find a BJJ-related t-shirt in women’s sizes but this one fits perfectly. I can’t even find a t-shirt that fits me this well in a women’s clothing store. I’m excited to see what Gameness comes up with next for women.

Follow Gameness on Facebook and Twitter and visit their website to see more of their training gear. At the moment, I’m staring at their Violet Female Feather Gi, which I definitely don’t need. It might look pretty with my hair though, right? And it has a Pit Bull on the leg – so cute! Review possibly pending.

The Gameness Top Dog Female Rashguard is available for $50 at Gameness.com.

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