Martial Arts Uniforms – The Gi

Since it was created in 1882 by Kano Jigoro of Japan, Judo has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. It is quite a rigorous and physically demanding sport, appearing in several major international sports competitions. As a result, when partaking in judo training, it is important that a high-quality judo uniform, or Gi in Japanese, be worn to avoid tearing and damage.

Judo uniforms are generally constructed out of 100% cotton, bleached white. Cotton is the best choice for breathability. Care should be taken when laundering, as most judo uniforms are not pre-shrunken and will shrink up to a full size from excess heat. Therefore, washing in cool water and air drying is highly recommended to avoid shrinkage.

There are three pieces to the judo uniform: the jacket, the belt, and the pants. The jacket is quilted with a thick pliable collar and wide sleeves. Two short splits are on either side of the hip, which are reinforced with extra cloth. The jacket is secured with a belt, colored according to level, wrapped tightly around the body, and knotted. The pants feature an elasticized drawstring waist with wide legs to allow for movement. In areas where there may be a lot of friction or stress from pulling, reinforcement at the seams and additional padding is vital to prevent damage. These include the shoulders, collar, knees, and crotch of the pants.

The cloth for Gi’s comes in a variety of weights and textures. For training purposes, judo uniforms are made out of single weave cloth. The appropriate weight for a Judoka (Judo practitioner) is measured in ounces or grams and depends on their ability and age. Usually, beginners at a younger age opt for lighter weights while older advanced students and instructors choose heavier ones. Weights can vary from 7 ounces or 198.44 grams to 40.57 ounces or 1150 grams.

For competitions, double weave cloth is ideal for judo uniforms, making them thicker and heavier. Judo uniforms for competition use tend to be more durable, and as a result, much more expensive than a single weave. While training judo uniforms come in white, competition-level uniforms also come in blue.

Higher quality judo uniforms should not weigh down the practitioner and restrict their movement. They should fit loosely and comfortably on the body.

Are the Martial Arts Still Under Development?

What is a martial art?

A martial art can be defined as any skill that can be applied in warfare. The word martial means "military." So traditionally, a martial art is a military art. The first things that usually come to mind when discussing modern martial arts are leaping, kicking, punching, blocking, inverting elbows, twisting necks, throwing, and weapon fighting. But also horsemanship, javelin throwing, archery, spear fighting, halberd fighting, wrestling, knife fighting, rifle, shotgun and pistol shooting, demolitions, logistics, and battle strategy can all be described as the field of martial arts. Anything that a soldier might do in battle is a martial art. By martial art usually, it is meant aikido, Arnis, Western Boxing, Capoeria, Chow Gar, Choy la fut, Hapkido, Hsing'I, Hun gar, Jeet Kune Do, Jow gar, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Kempo, Kick Boxing, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Pa Kua, Penjak Silat, Praying Mantis, Savate, Shaolin, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, White Crane, Wing Chun, Wu Shu and more! As you can see the list is quite long and it is quite amazing how many martial arts systems there are and how many methods of self-defense can be formulated. Often within a martial arts school, it is taught that 'this particular system is the best, and it was created to beat all the others. Of course, every martial artist would have the viewpoint their style is the best because that is the style they have chosen to do, but in reality, what they are saying is 'this is the best style for me as it suits my temperament and I like the teaching environment'.

The Changing of the Arts

Throughout this history and development of the martial arts and all the combat systems of man, our training tools have played a vital part in evolving and perfecting these systems and techniques. All the martial arts have been affected by the role that mechanical devices play whether it be weapons, dojo mats, breaking boards, or even the uniforms we wear - all these paraphernalia identify the martial arts into their systems and style. The main players in shaping our new martial arts would be the traditional wooden dummy, Wing Chun rings, iron palm ointments, and even the system of using forms, called kata, which have developed the martial arts into their current form. Even today modern training tools are common and again the martial arts are under development with new training products such as the Wavemaster, the ‘BOB’ training dummy, the Focus Master. All with one thing in common, to create a well-rounded combat system. Ideally, a martial arts solo training tool should be workable for all and based on sound theory and through constant practice develop into a sound physical application. The ideology and theory would have to take into account all the history of the combat technology of man and give this competition and street application.

The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar

In a martial arts or boxing career you can occasionally find yourself with no gym to go to or no one to train with and so out of necessity The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar solo training partner was born. The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar is a training tool used to develop the entry and trapping skills of any martial arts system. It is designed to test any techniques so to improve the ability to block, trap and control your opponent’s hands and arms. This can be done because the bar moves and reacts like a real opponent. The bar moves and twists just like a real opponent would - so it can spring forward, and it does strike back! The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar was designed and developed on the following theories: 

1.      Safety - You must maintain 100% safety when entering into the opponent's attack range, this means limiting any variables that could occur by covering them. (Methods of entry must be sophisticated yet simple, fast as well as safe!) 

2.      Attack - You must have the ability to attack at will, with no concern or hesitation. The attack should incorporate total control of the opponent's weapons. (Attacks must be structured to have within them a 100% defense!)  

3.      Adaptability - Techniques, attacks, and defenses must flow but not necessarily at a constant pace. Adaptability to choose what's next is key! Whatever martial arts you choose just be sure you do look at a few before you decide and enquire with the school what martial arts equipment, they utilize to get the best from your training.