DarthPenguin

Mugen is the "high quality" version of KI International. The Lexus to the KI regular Toyota Camry. Higher quality parts and a look that you recognize. They're good GIs, and when someone is looking to upgrade for the first time from their light-weight one that the dojo provides I usually recommend Mugen. Good quality without being a burden on the wallet. DarthPenguin mentions Tokaido, and I would put them on par with that. Not quite the prestige of Shureido, but still a very solid experience.Thats good to know!

Congrats

Hi, i just recently purchased a Ki Mugen Orange label and i thought it might be nice to post a short review. I had to order it from the USA to get shipped to the UK and when making the decision to get something shipped it can be helpful to have some reviews to read IF reviewing items isn't permitted (i think it is but just being sure) then apologies and please delete this! Item ordered : Ki Mugen Orange Label Karate Gi Size order : 6.5 My size : 6'4", 225/230lbs (to get an idea of Gi Sizing) Initial impressions Gi arrived very nicely packaged. When unpacking it was a little lighter than expected but seemed well put together. The trousers are extremely similar to my Atama Mundial ripstop BJJ Gi trousers which i love, so a massive plus from me there! Gi Seemed a little larger than expected when unpacking but i know these things shrink. I had originally ordered a size 6 but the retailer had been in touch and told me that a 6.5 should be fine for me and i went with it since i should be in the middle of the range. Fit I washed the gi in a warm/hot wash and then dried it for an hour to shrink it down. Length is exactly as hoped for though it is slightly baggier than i would have preferred ideally. Should shrink a little more in subsequent washes. Is perfectly usable and tbh the thought that it is baggy might just be my being used to the more tailored fit of a bjj gi. When i wore it to karate class i got no strange looks or comments and it seemed about the same as the other class members. I really like the drawcord fastening on the trousers. They are identical to my Atama ones but fasten even better. Very snug fit with plenty of freedom of movement Quality Item seemed solidly put together and well made. Stitching was good and couldn't find any issues. I plan to update this review once i have trained in it a few times and again after 6mths or so. This should hopefully give a better picture of the quality Value for money This is a difficult one as it also factors in the shipping costs / customs charges etc for a USA - UK order. If i was ordering it in the USA then i have no problem at all saying i would order again as the price is good and the quality seems good for the price. For the UK though it is harder as, once i had ordered, i managed to find a retailer that sold Tokaido gi's in the UK and once shipping etc is factored in they come out at about the same price. Since everyone always talks about the quality of Tokaido it is hard to recommend something else at the same price, but i haven't tried a Tokaido so this may be better if i had both to compare Ease of ordering This (unfortunately) is more negative. I tried to order the Gi originally from the manufacturer. There website is awful and kept failing when it went to add shipping costs etc. I emailed them several times (as i do like to purchase from a manufacturer where possible) but then took a couple of weeks to reply to each email. I sent a couple but when no responses were received i went elsewhere - their responses were received after i had ordered from someone else. I instead ordered from another often recommended martial arts supply store (i won't give the name here as that isn't the purpose of this review). They very much were a mixed bag which surprised me. Replied very quickly to my original enquiry email on stock. Then once i had ordered, accepting that there would be a delay of a couple of weeks, they went dark. I emailed them once the expected time period had elapsed and they ignored all emails. Eventually i raised a paypal dispute to cancel the payment and they instantly responded (though didn't acknowledge their failure to respond previously). Once they did get in touch they processed things quite quickly and they filled out the customs declaration in a manner that minimised the customs charge i would receive (which was good) Would i order Again? If i could find another KI gi from a UK supplier, with them in stock then the answer (currently) is a resounding yes, though this could always change based on how it holds up over the next few months. From the USA again? Probably not unless it was from another supplier that i have dealt with previously, as i can't be bothered with unnecessary hassle. If there is anything i have not mentioned that might be useful then please feel free to let me know. Everything above is my personal opinion and based on my own experiences. I totally accept that things can be different for different people at different times and by no means think that any issues i may have had would be the same for others.

i did train in the past in a style that had pockets in the trousers (was a TKD offshoot and they had their own bespoke designed suits). Never once heard of anyone having an issue with a finger/toe getting caught in one. My bjj bo-gi shorts also have some internal pockets for mouthguards etc and i'm sure i have seem some with pockets too. Never found it to be an issue and if fingers/toes getting caught was ever going to cause a problem it would be with grappling. Pockets in gi trousers sounds like a pretty good reason to start a new organisation - better than some of the reasons people give for breaking away!

I'm using a 2day per week variation of the 531 programme. Have run 531 before and got good results. Your question led me to take a look back through my last couple of years worth of paper workout logs and i realised that i have (without realising it) cut the volume quite a bit on the sessions over time - it's been a little adjustment here due to time etc My logs from earlier in the pandemic were 3dpw with less martial arts but the volume was quite a bit more. Dug out my copies of wnedler's books again and had a look through and i think that should help too. Will tweak things a little for the next go-around

Yeah, i used to do them a lot and liked them which is why i am reticent to just jettison them straight away. I think it was a setup issue (when i thought about it later)/ Plan is to retry and see how it is with a light weight again. If feels like it is ok and just need to regrease the groove then that's good - if it feels like my knees just don't want to do it then i'll drop it. Thanks for the suggestion though

Saturday 6th August weights session Squats 20kg x 8 40kg x 5 50kg x 3 60kg x 5 70kg x 5 80kg x 9 Trap bar deadlift 75kg x 10 75kg x 10 75kg x 10 Front squat 40kg x 10 40kg x 10 These didn't feel great. Haven't done front squats for ages so called them here rather than chance an injury. Reflected on it later and worked out what the form issues were. A large part due to my grip being too narrow and feet too wide. Will adjust next time Fat Grip bent over read delt raise 5kg x 12 5kg x 12 5kg x 12 Wrist roller 3.75kg x 6 3.75kg x 4 3.75kg x 4

Friday 5th August BJJ Session Warm ups Techniques for the day : Worked the scissor sweep, some variations for when opponent counters and the reverse scissor sweep (which i have always loved) Few rounds positional sparring followed by a few rounds of rolling

Thursday 4th August Weights Session Seated Overhead Barbell Press 20kg x 8 25kg x 5 30kg x 3 35kg x 5 40kg x 5 45kg x 8 These felt ok, though i think it is my triceps giving out first not my shoulders on these. Will take a look at this over next few weeks and see if i need to add more triceps work Bench press (lighter for higher reps) 47.5kg x 10 47.5kg x 10 47.5kg x 10 KB one arm row (supersetted with bench press) 24kg x 10 24kg x 10 24kg x 10 Wrist Roller 3.75kg x 4 3.75kg x 4 3.75kg x 4 I have an ironmind wrist roller (shaped like a large yo-yo) and going to start using it again at every session. Each rep is concentric only and let the weight roll down for the negative bit. Using bith forwards and backwards. Plan is to get to sets of 10 and then increase weight, drop reps and work back uo

Wednesday 3rd August Karate Class Warm ups Kihon These were pretty standard, and the same as usual Kata Ran through grading kata again multiple times. Seems to be getting more automatic which is good Kumite Lots of rounds of sparring here. Went well. I was paired up with a shodan and a 1st kyu sitting shodan in a fortnight and we took turns with each other for multiple rounds. Good feedback from the session especially when sparring the 1st Kyu as the Instructor was getting frustrated at him not being able to land anything. Have been feeling that my timing for stand up sparring is gradually coming back and this felt like it is beginning to get there (slowly but slowly!)

Monday 1st August Weights Session Deadlift 70kg x 5 80kg x 5 95kg x 5 110kg x 5 122.5kg x 5 Squat 47.5kg x 10 47.5kg x 10 47.5kg x 10 Fat DB Lateral Raise (supersetted with the squats) 5kg x 12 5kg x 12 5kg x 12 KB Triceps Kickbacks (supersetted with the leg raises) 4kg x 10 4kg x 10 4kg x 10 Lying leg raises 12rep 12rep 12rep Tried the triceps kickbacks as it is an exercise i don't usually do and had read an article listing the benefits of doing them with kb's. Felt ok so may keep doing

yeah, having that amount confirmed in advance should allow them the freedom to have some proper story arcs develop

I'm still not sold on the idea of warrior Galadriel but i'll give it a shot! They also have had a full 5 seasons confirmed so they should be able to build a nice arc

Excellent log still! Out of curiosity for the hack squats are you doing them on a machine or with a barbell? For the barbell rows am also curious : are you doing them 45degree style or pendlay style? I've been playing about with these over the last few months and it made me realise how much a belt helps - as a frame of reference i can do 225lb x 3 with a belt in a 45degree row but am currently using 137.5lb without one while i work back up in weight. Pendlay rows are good too but as i am tall them feel like a lot of stress on the lower back (probably crap form on my part!) Hope you don't mind the questions - i was just curious

Thursday 28th July Weights Session Felt a bit week going in today. Don't think my eating has been great today but have been busy with work. finished full workout though so can live with it! Am debating starting to track time taken too. I have the workout planned out in advance and a spreadsheet that calculates my estimated 1RM over time and works out required numbers for the '+' sets to keep progressing. Am thinking that adding a measure of density (tonnage / time) might be useful to track progress too. Need to think of a good way of integrating that with the differing length workouts on the 5+. 3+ and 1+ weeks Bench Press 20kg x 10 40kg x 5 50kg x 3 57.5kg x 5 67.5kg x 5 77.5kg x 6 performance on final set wasn't great but managed the 5+ so can live with it Seated Overhead Press (barbell) - low weights for volume 25kg x 10 25kg x 10 25kg x 10 These were lighter but trying to stick to approx 50% of training max for these. Barbell Row - no belt 62.5kg x 10 62.5kg x 10 62.5kg x 10 Neutral Grip Bench lockout / KB Hammer Curl superset Lockout 62.5kg x 10 62.5kg x 10 62.5kg x 10 KB hammer curl 24kg x 8 24kg x 8 24kg x 8 For all exercises after the bench press i used 50sec rest between sets. For the superset it was 50sec between each pairing Total workout time : 38min 30sec

Wednesday 27th July Karate Session Another quite quiet class tonight due to summer holidays etc (which is good for me to improve!). The black belts i usually spar with were not here tonight so less kumite but good to work on other things Warm ups A little more stretching than usual which was good. I want to get my flexibility back to closer to what it used to be (used to be able to comfortably kick a few inches above my head height but now struggle to get to my chin!). Have been rereading my copy of Stretching Scientifically and will try to put it into action Kihon More repetitions of each technique that usual which was good Kata Multiple reps of kata. Didn't get the same issues called out which was a positive (or they are so bad they are a lost cause!!) Combinations The sensei showed some new combinations of strikes with hand and feet and we drilled these for a while. I enjoyed these and could feel that my kicks are beginning to get slightly higher and smoother again 1 step kumite practiced a little one step kumite for grading purposes and then some semi free sparring with unannounced attacks. Overall a good class

Have people seen the second trailer? I saw it the other day and i must say, it looked a lot better. Am quite looking forward to this now.

Thursday 21st July Weights Session Squat 20kg x 10 40kg x 5 50kg x 3 60kg x 3 67.5kg x 5 75kg x 3 85kg x 6 These felt good. Could have possibly squeezed out one / two more if i really pushed it but the risk seemed more than the gain. I had planned for 4 as it was the 1+ set so happy to call it at 6 Trap Bar Deadlift 72.5kg x 10 72.5kg x 10 72.5kg x 10 Neutral Grip Bench lockout 60kg x 10 60kg x 10 60kg x 10 another new exercise. will keep this going forwards. Have been trying out a few new exercises in last couple of weeks to potentially add into plan going forward as i think it needs slightly rejigged

Wednesday 20th July Karate Session Warm ups Kihon Same as usual but also added in ushiro geri which is one of my favourite kicks for soarring so was good to get some more reps in Kata Multiple rounds of kata. All doing Heian Sandan. Am happy now that i have the flow and just need to work on the techniques being sharp. Kumite Loads of rounds of this Started with 3 unannounced strikes, any limb, taking 3 goes each. Then moved onto free sparring. Was paired up with 1st kyu, 1st Dan and 2nd Dan. Seemed to go well too Kata Couple more rounds of heian sandan at the end. i quite like the additional practice when fatigued at the end of class.

Tuesday 19th July Weights Session This was incredibly warm for Scotland - temperature was 32C so decided i would do main lift and get out as didn't want to make myself ill! Seated Barbell Overhead Press 20kg x 8 25kg x 5 30kg x 5 37.5kg x 5 42.4kg x 3 47.5kg x 6 Final set was less reps than i was hoping for but still more than the 1+ programmed in. Am going to put it down to the heat. Decided to do one more exercise to try it (and as i felt bad about only doing one thing!) Straight Arm pulldown 25kg x 10 25kg x 10 25kg x 10 This felt decent to do. Cable machine needs oiled/WD40 but that was fine as it means i can use less weight effectively!

Also, view it as a positive - you have now established a baseline and will only be fitter/better from now on. Gives you something to gauge progress against next time!

Saturday 16th July Weights Session Deadlift 70kg x 5 80kg x 3 90kg x 3 105kg x 5 120kg x 3 132.5kg x 3 Squat 45kg x 10 45kg x 10 45kg x 10 45kg x 10 45kg x 10 Fat Grip DB lateral raise (supersetted with squats) 5kg x 10 5kg x 10 5kg x 10 5kg x 10 5kg x 10 KB Pistol Curl 8kg x 10 8kg x 10 tried these as a new exercise but didn't really like how they felt on my left wrist (have injured it before) so i doubt i will do these again This was an extremely warm evening (for Scotland!) at 24C so i tried to be sensible and called it here. Was pleased as kept up a good tempo throughout

Thursday 14th July Weights session Bench press 20kg x 10 40kg x 5 50kg x 3 65kg x 5 75kg x 3 82.5kg x 3 barbell row (no belt) 60kg x 10 60kg x 10 60kg x 10 60kg x 10 60kg x 10 KB Hammer Curl 20kg x 10 20kg x 10 20kg x 10 20kg x 10 20kg x 10

Why Karate? For me the reason was quite simple really. I was a mixed race kid growing up in central scotland in the early 80s. As a result i was in a fight pretty much daily from about 4yrs old onwards. Could usually hold my own but there was one kid in my class that was bigger and stronger and would just come over and beat me up. After a bit my dad found a karate class for me and i started training 4x a week almost straight away. Broke the kids nose as a birthday party when i was 5 so changed schools but didn't stop the issues. Kept training lots and found it helped. Moved to the clubs head dojo which was in a very shady area of a town about 45min away (there was a thing called the 'ice cream wars' that was taking place there at the same time) and kept training away. Was a tough class but was useful for actually fighting! Eventually moved away and to a bigger city so had less need to fight all the time and fell away from karate. Went back and trained in other styles in late teens and have trained pretty much consistently since. Why karate now? Tbh my son wanted to start so i contacted a class and they said they would only take a 5yr old if a parent was there too so i joined the class. Been enjoying it a lot so i can't see myself leaving again anytime soon!

Wednesday 13th July Karate Session Was a really small class again this week. Only 5 of us with that being one 3rd dan, one 1st dan, one first kyu, one 6th kyu and me at 7th. As before this is good for me personally as get a lot of chance to iron out issues in kata plus we usually do some more unusual stuff. Warm ups usual warm up and stretching Kihon Performed usual grade specific kihon but with more reps Kata Started on kata quite early in the class. instructor was just having us out in groups of 1 or 2 to practice our grade kata. Got some useful pointers on Heian Sandan to work on and worked on them throughout the session. They were specific fixes that seemed (relatively) straightforward to implement pad work / kumite drills We did few extra things this week. We practiced front leg mawashi geri and ura mawashi geri. initially working way down the hall, 'shifting' into the kick (bad wording for a quick transference of feet into kicking position eg left leg kick, shoft right foot in to where left foot was quickly while chambering left leg kick.). I used to do this all the time in a previous style and it came quite naturally, though my flexibility is nowhere near what it used to be, particularly in my right hip. Then practiced the kicks to pads and opponents chest. Followed by a few rounds of sparring. I did most of my rounds with the 1st dan. Kata again We went back to kata and i got to check if i was beginning to omplement the changes from earlier in class. Comments were generally on other things but the instructor did mention he could see i was doing the bits he had mentioned which is good