Training in T-shirts not Gi tops

[Kane]

Someone should really come up with a dri-fit karate gi!

 

Seriously, though, until some company starts making a hi-tech fabric gi I suggest simply wearing a light weight gi during the hot and humid summer days. I have a couple of very flimsy gi tops for those very occasions.

 

Sure, wear your t-shirts, but if your sensei is like mine and answers "No." when asked about wearing t-shirts and turning on the fan in our un-airconditioned dojo, I can only recommend the light-weight poly gi-top.

 

[aefibird]

The trouble with lightweight gi tops is that they have a tendancy to tear easily.

 

I find that they also come open quite a lot, which is a bit embarassing as a woman. To stop that happening you have to wear something underneath, which makes you just as hot as wearing a heavier weight gi. :-/

[topdawg]

at my school we wear t-shirts in the summer, but the have to be shirts from our school

[ramymensa]

Aefi .. are you telling us you don't wear anything under a heavy weight gi? I wouldn't risk a topless show though Since I'm kinda prone to all kinds of embaressing accidents

[aefibird]

I wear a vest-top (strappy top) under a lighter weight gi, but just a sports bra under my ultra-heavyweight gi.

 

That thing is so heavy it takes an earthquake to shift it; it's never come undone or been revealing, even when grappling! The top is also a half-size too large, so it crosses over more at the front anyway.

 

That's why I like heavyweight gi's, even though I sweat to death in them during the summer months. :-/

[Master Jules]

The most important thing is that you train.....period....it doesnt matter if youre wearing a Gi, a t shirt, or just a pair of shorts.....it really is irrelevant. The only exception to that would be if there is a need to be "formal"...then, wearing the Gi is a must.....but.....if its just a regular class....especially over the summer months.....then....wear your gi pants, belt, and dojo t shirt......as mentioned in another post.....those of us who practice Sanchin and Tensho kata from Goju Ryu....the gi top (or t shirt) must come off so the muscles can be seen to ensure the kata is being performed correctly......there have been nights that I cant sleep and Im in my living room going through kata in a air of shorts......that still doesnt take away my rank......it really doesnt matter what you wear......again, unless theres a formal occasion that demands full uniform......JUST TRAIN.......it would be a good idea for teachers to have dojo shirts so at least there can be some consistency in class......and students shouldnt have any resistance to purchasing a 10 or 15 dollar t shirt to train in.....it helps support the dojo for starters, and it can be considered to be the top half of an "informal" uniform.......

 

Whatever you do.....train hard....even if its in your underwear....

 

~Master Jules

 

.....I may be a trained killer....but Im really a nice guy....

[aefibird]

Whatever you do.....train hard....

 

Great advice!

[manuelito]

i could argue both sides to this but in reality it does not matter. as long as a person is training that is what counts. also in the hot summer months it makes sense to wear lighter clothing. it gets really hot wearing 12-14oz. weight gi after a couple of hours of training.

[Kane]

The trouble with lightweight gi tops is that they have a tendancy to tear easily.

 

I find that they also come open quite a lot, which is a bit embarassing as a woman. To stop that happening you have to wear something underneath, which makes you just as hot as wearing a heavier weight gi. :-/

 

I hear ya, aefibird, but I have to say that I don't really care about the top coming open thing any more. I used to wear a shirt under my gi top at my old dojo, but have stopped doing this quite a few years ago now. The guys' gis constantly come undone, showing their chests, and since I have to deal with seeing their hairy chests they will just have to deal with seeing my sports bra every now and then. I reveal more at the beach, that's for sure. It's just too hot to wear a heavy gi or an undershirt in the summer.

 

As for the tearing, we don't do a lot of grappling, but if we do and I know about it in advance I just wear a heavy gi. For teaching I always wear at least a medium weight gi.. something about a proper appearance, I guess.

[markfl]

I've only just started karate (a week ago) and as such i don't have a gi, but i can't see that being a problem as the martial arts room where it is held is quite large with nice air conditioning, i'd be more worried about cold feet on the floor

 

The instructor basically said "don't bother getting a gi yet until you're sure you like it"

 

I'm kinda goth/rocker so i'm tempted to go for a black gi if its not against any rules etc. (I just like wearing black, white is so distracting, i don't "see" the black out of the bottom of my eyes.)

 

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BTW - First post, hi everybody.