As someone who has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for quite some time
now, I’ve grown to love everything about the sport—from the technique and
discipline to the community and culture. But no matter what belt rank you
are, whether a fresh white belt or an experienced black belt, there’s one
frustrating issue almost everyone deals with: the BJJ belt itself.
It’s funny, really. You spend years mastering techniques, learning to
defend yourself, and improving your physical and mental toughness—but the
one thing that consistently gives people trouble is simply keeping their belt
tied during training. Most belts are not only tricky to tie properly,
especially for beginners, but even when tied right, they often come loose,
shift around, or fall off entirely during a roll. It’s a small annoyance
that disrupts the flow of training, creates awkward pauses, and frankly, gets
in the way of the experience.
That’s where my idea comes in—a redesigned Jiu-Jitsu belt that actually
stays on. This belt would feature a built-in guide system that shows
practitioners exactly how to tie it correctly, with visual cues or
stitched-in indicators that help align the belt for a proper knot every time.
Think of it like a simplified system built into the belt, designed to
eliminate the guesswork, especially for newer students.
But the real innovation is in the material and loop system. I would design a
belt with a stretch-resistant core and reinforced grip sections that lock
into place, almost like a secure climbing harness or martial arts version of
a weightlifting belt. Once tied, it stays snug and in place through even the
toughest sparring sessions. Whether you're shrimping, inverting, or caught in
a scramble, your belt won’t unravel or slide off midway.
Beyond the belt itself, this product has potential to evolve into a full line
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu essentials. Imagine injury treatment kits designed
specifically for grapplers—ice packs molded for fingers and toes, joint
support sleeves, and portable muscle rollers for mat-side recovery. It could
also expand into a line of cleaning products tailored for Jiu-Jitsu gear:
antibacterial sprays for gis, deep-clean detergent pods for rash guards, and
mat wipes for personal hygiene after open mats.
The ultimate goal would be to create a brand that understands the unique
lifestyle of BJJ practitioners. It’s not just a sport; it’s a daily
ritual that involves training hard, caring for your body, and respecting your
equipment. By starting with something as simple yet essential as a better
belt, I believe there’s an opportunity to solve a real problem on the
mats—while also building a trusted brand for grapplers everywhere.
Email: mali246@uky.edu
Project Owner
Mattias Lindberg