My dojo only offers a bulky chest protector thats about an inch thick and covers your entire chest and torso. Needless to say, its tough to spar in. My one instructor told me of an thin, hard plastic chest protector for women. The place she got hers at had closed down years ago. I've been trying to find one but haven't had too much luck. A friend of mind found something similar but the chest protector is held up with a bra instead of just straps. I was wondering if anyone used this kind or know of another similar chest protector.

 

http://www.karatedepot.com/pr-ch-12.html

 

Thanks

 

Aiko

The one my daughter uses uses a kind of sports bra to hold it in place. This is the only type our dojo uses.

Thta's the kind of one I have (don't use it, hate the damn thing).

 

You can also get one's that are like bras with cups that go in.

I like that idea of using something that is built into a sports bra. Like you, I hate the big ones that cover more than your breasts.

 

That one with the link, looks interesting, but I don't think I would be allowed to wear one with a hard plastic insert.

That's what I'm most afraid of when I go to my first competition... the chest protector! I've got big you-know-whats and I'm afraid I may be mortified to try to get into one of those things...oh well, I can always laugh at myself later.

Well my daughter does not complain about this kind of protector other than it is a bit of work to pull on.

 

One of the main reasons this type of protector was suggested by Sensei was that her breasts are just starting to develop and are apt to be sensitive. A regular chest protector does not offer the same protection in this way and he said she would become overly protective of her chest if she used the traditional one.

 

However a draw back was that the cup size of the protector would be some where around a B and suddenly she has hard fake breasts when wearing it. No one has made fun of this that I know of, but then again they are very common in our dojo.

Personally, I [/i]hate[/i] wearing chest protectors. I find them uncomfortable and restrictive. I currently have the type that is like a bra with inserts, but I've tried out a couple of other styles before. However, I've never managed to find one to my liking.

I don't like them.But I like to be safe.I use them when I spare...but it is very good women to develope blocking skills as well.

I have one that is a sports bra with pockets for hard shells. Its really low profile and works pretty well. The one I have is called Turtle Shells I think.. not sure.

I don't like them.But I like to be safe.I use them when I spare...but it is very good women to develope blocking skills as well.

 

I agree that too much dependance on a chest protector makes you not put enough importance on blocking skills.

 

The design of the chest protector my daughter uses leaves her stomach open, so she definately has an incentive to block to stop something from knocking the wind out of her.

 

As I mentioned her breasts are developing and protecting them while they are at this very sensitive stage is important. Kyoshi (head sensai at our dojo) mentioned for girls at this age if they do not get this style of protector they tend to over protect their breasts and this is not good either.