IcemanSK

I believe they do sell plain belts, you just have to look at what you want, and I believe they price them for embroidery and plain I think you're right, sir.

I agree that if you get a 2" belt, you should get a good quality belt. I like Eosin-Panther's "soft" belts. They are easier tie & look great!

Last month, I got the opportunity to train (not only with my instructor, GM Edward Sell, 9th Dan Kukkiwon) but his instructor (GM Park, Hae Man, 10th Dan Kukkiwon). (Before you ask, yes there are 10th Dans in Taekwondo. Most are given posthumously [after death] but some are given while the person is still alive. GM Jhoon Rhee is another example.) I took a BB forms class taught by GM Park. We were to cover 4 forms (of which, I only knew one) during the class. Did I mention he DESIGNED the forms?! I was quite nervous, & he was quite kind to me. Even with his limited English, we all learned a great deal from him.

Congratulations, Aodhan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I heard a story about Ed Parker (I think) upon his death, his belt was cut up into sections & given to his senior students. Don't know if its true, but its a good story. I guess it would define who "Senior student" was. But I could see fakes & grousing about "he got one & I didn't." But its a good story.

I'm really curious about the fit of Adidas. Do they run small like other MA shoes?

That sounds like the best course of action. I wish you the best in your search for a school that encourage you to see people as people.

Eosin-Panther also has a satin belt. You might want to check them out. They are great belts & less expensive than Tokiado. Its worth a look. Eosionpanther.com

I agree with Jussi, here. I used to spar with 14 oz. Reyes gloves (because I felt 16 oz. was too much) Then I went to a gym where everyone used 16-18 oz gloves. They thought I wanted an unfair advantage using a lighter weight glove. No one would work with me. I switched to 16 oz & have gotten along fine. Find out what the norm is in your gym & go with that. (As big as you are comfortable with). And bag gloves are perfect for bag & focus glove work.

I agree with Sohan & NinjaNurse. That junk has no place in the training area. Is this person teaching children, too? I'd speak to the Senior Instructor. If it doesn't stop, I'd consider training elsewhere in a hurry.

I started MA in the 80's, when PKA Karate on ESPN was in its hey-day. We had a alotta guys come who thought because they watched it, they had the fighting ability of Rick Roufus. The reality was most had the flexibility of dry toast. They'd think side kick to the head, but could only get it to the groin....& with zero control. I know whatcha mean about cups being restricting. But I've weighed that feeling against getting hit....& I'll take restricting any day. JMO

I've noticed the sizes of MA shoes tend to run differently. I normally wear a 9 or 9.5 in regular shoes but a 10 in MA shoes. Are adidas this way as well?

When I say "no pads" that's none except a cup & mouth piece. Heck, I wear a cup while teachin'. ........Poomsae, even

Both Title & Ringside sell short videos that explain the normal hand wraping for workouts & amatuer & pro wraps for fights. They're cheap (maybe $5) but helpful.

My instructor is an American (& 9th Dan Kukkiwon) & prefers the "old School" way, too. Controlled techniques but contact as well. "When skin touches skin is where the contact stops," he says. So we don't pull the technique, you simply must have control. Ya gotta love it.

Thanks! I think I'll try the regular Adidas next.

Yeah, it is a matter of preference. Which Adidas shoes do you prefer?

There's Adidas, Macho, Century, Kwon. It seems everyone has an TKD shoe out there. I've tried Macho in the past & dug them. I have Century now & they just aren't comfortable. What do you recommend?

My instructor is a 9th Dan (Kukkiwon) & he has reistated face punches in our organization. USCDKA.com

Most recently I have to say the one I went to this weekend with GM Park, Hae Man. He his one of a handful of people who designed the Tae Guek forms of Taekwondo. While the clinic on the BB forms was awesome, the pictorial history of Taekwondo was out of this world! Here is a walking history book of TKD. He was great.

I went to a seminar of his last weekend. Wow! He is talented!!! No wonder he's 23 time world champ.

I'd say instructor

Well, I'm a guy. But I think my chest hair would fill in wear the top ends. I think I could make it work.

I'm gonna wear that outfit for my next testing. Think my Grandmaster would mind?

This is a very good point that you make. Black belts need more in order to keep them interested. Our traditional classes are always the same thing, and even our kicking classes are open to all students, and it is always everyone working on the same thing. They are still good workouts, but I need a little more. I agree with both of you that: 1) A lot of schools/instructors have no program for testing behind 1st Dan. 2) And the "goal & reward system is an issue. (Although I don't think children are the only ones who struggle with it. Some schools continue a "reward" system after 1st Dan with stripes etc, also. My favorite is the "Master Club" patches. Let's just say, I'm not in favor of these ideas. But I do think there needs to be a plan for testing beyond 1st Dan. But if there isn't the idea of advancement, a student will probably go elsewhere. Its the "the grass is greener syndrome." I was very excited to "learn more" when I received my 1st Dan in 1985. My instructor moved away the following year. I changed schools & received my 2nd Dan in 1988. I was lied to & missed out on really growing in my MA experience. I changed arts in order to do this. I'm back doing TKD fulltime & finally have a system in which I have opportunity to learn more & advance in rank.