Why its good to train out of uniform...

[lordtariel]

You obviously wouldn't want to train in a $500 suit... but you could probably find something that fits similar and train in that. Most of my friends buy their clothing based off of how well they can fight in them.

[IcemanSK]

I'm one of weird people who makes sure I can kick in every pair of pants I own (In the dressing room as I try them on).

Seriously, I do think its important to train occasionally in street clothes. Shoes of any style are different from kicking bare foot.

[lordtariel]

Shoes of any style are different from kicking bare foot.

Not to mention the fact that with those hard edges on some shoes, your kicks can become much more damaging.

[ps1]

Just like it's important to study atemi (striking), nage waza (throwing/takedows, and ne waza(ground); it's important to study both with and without a gi. It only makes for a more complete and prepared martial artist.

[Jiffy]

This is exactly why in Hapkido we train with shoes on and with T-Shirts.

We tried this once in our Karate class a couple of months ago and it completely threw them off, particularly the shoes.

[bushido_man96]

Let's just say that you are a business man and walk in a 500 dollar suit every day. That would mean that you have the most chances to be fighting in a 500 dollar suit when you have to fight. Does this mean you have to train in a 500 dollar suit?

My oppinion is, although I have only trained for about a month now, is that the gi in my karate is there for the practical use in the class. It is wide and strong and doesn't get wet. When training in your daily clothes you're just going to mess them up.

But bm does have a good point though..

Tom

I apologize if my point was confusing. I'll attempt to clarify here. What I mean is that your uniform is generally more loose (or restrictive depending on how you wear your uniform in to your regular attire) than your normal everyday clothes. Myself, for example, in order to maintain that business professional look I'm required to have I do have to wear a suit and tie to work every day. This outfit is much more restrictive than when I put on my gi. The point I was trying to make is that there may be occasions when you may have to use your skills when dressed in a suit & tie or in a coat. You should get to know what your moves are going to feel like when you're not wearing your uniform.

Now I'm in no way saying that since I wear a suit and tie to work everyday that I need to train in a suit and tie. I'm just saying that every now and then you should train in an outfit other than your uniform (maybe a half a dozen times a year or so). It doesn't even have to be a hard workout, either, just something to familiarize yourself with what you'll be experiencing. When I do, it's usually in jeans and a tee-shirt; not in my fully business attire. And most importantly, when I do this it's not in the dojo, but rather often in my backyard or at a friend's. The main point behind this is getting to know what it's like to attempt those kicks when you're wearing jeans or throwing punches when wearing a coat, and how you might need to compensate or adjust your moves accordingly.

Sorry for any confusion on the original post and hope this helps clear up my previous post.

Also good points as well.

[bushido_man96]

This is exactly why in Hapkido we train with shoes on and with T-Shirts.

We tried this once in our Karate class a couple of months ago and it completely threw them off, particularly the shoes.

Kicking in shoes is defenitely different. I find it slows my kicks some.

[wolfen]

another issue with shoes is the added weight... it doesn't seem like much but it can throw your kick off by a lot if you aren't used to it.

[cathal]

We occasionally train with two pound ankle weights, which simulate footwear, but there is no substitute for an actual pair of shoes or boots.

[Rick_72]

I wear boots to work (combat boots, so their a little lighter than work boots or steel toes), so kicking in running or dress shoes is pretty easy as far as weight for me.

However, what I find awkward is how shoes change the position of your feet. Its harder to angle your foot so the blade and heel are the striking surface on side kicks. One advantage is that you won't hurt your toes if you don't pull them back when you kick someone .