As a serious and injury prone Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, you may have thought about whether wearing additional gear could enhance your training experience. While a wetsuit seems an unlikely choice, the benefits of shoulder support, injury prevention, and compression may make it worth considering for certain situations.
Hear us out, a wetsuit provides padding and stability for vulnerable joints while also allowing a full range of motion. The tight-fitting neoprene acts as a second skin to keep muscles warm and aligned. For those recovering from an injury or wanting an extra layer of protection when practicing more rigorous techniques, a wetsuit could be an unconventional yet effective training tool. Before dismissing it as an odd idea, evaluate how a wetsuit may benefit your practice and enable you to train harder and longer. With options available for any climate, a wetsuit offers versatile functionality on and off the mats.
BJJ black belt Stephen Kesting has been experimenting training Jiu-Jitsu using a wetsuit and he talks about why it could be injury prevention hack for BJJ.
Kesting notably thinks that it’s great for rolling with an injured shoulder.
For those recovering from a shoulder injury, the compression from a wetsuit helps stabilize the joint and surrounding muscles. This can reduce pain from movement and decrease the risk of re-injury during training. The insulation also keeps the area warm, which improves blood flow to aid in healing.
Wearing a wetsuit is not a substitute for proper rest and rehabilitation of an injury. However, for minor sprains or strains, or when returning to training under guidance of a doctor, a wetsuit provides supplementary support and protection. The tight fit and range of motion restriction may take adjustment, but can give peace of mind that vulnerable areas are reinforced.
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