Training without a gi

[bushido_man96]

I wonder about styles with no grappling though, do they, technically speaking, require a gi/dobok/etc?

I think that Funakoshi adopted the gi from Kano, and the rest have followed suit. We wouldn't really need to wear a gi, but I kind of like mine. It does make some moves sound crisp, and they are good for kicking and moving in.

[YoungMan]

I generally practice as part of my overall workout program, so I more often than not don't wear one. However, if I go to a class I wear one of my doboks.

[badclams]

I just bake in my GI and glad it's optional in our dojo, with the excetion we wear the bottoms and school issued t-shirt. Im not going to be wearing my GI on the street when I get confronted.

[Sir Gerbil]

my instructors made fun of me when i didn't come wearing my Gi.

Its extra suffering for us (:sobbing)when we wear long pants, a shirt, and a jacket (my regular ensemble) while doing dibs, sit ups, push ups, jogging, jumping jacks, stamina kicking, etc.

So even if i thought it was better..... doesnt matter. i still have to wear one :sobbing:

[Zanshin]

Personally I take any opportunity I can to train in nothing but my underpants.

I find it really relaxing, and if truth be told the ladies love it.

[shogeri]

depends on what tradition you want to approach...uniforms {including gi's}are alright if you want to create a feeling cohesiveness or belonging..

[YoungMan]

Doboks remind us as a group that we are there for a singular purpose. It is not necessary to wear one when practicing alone. But as part of class, I strongly believe in using them and standardizing them. To that end, color belts wear one type, black belts wear another. I don't believe in letting each black belt decide for himself what type or color to wear. For me, there is only one color. You want to wear a non-standard dobok? Don't come to class.

[nine_weapons]

I think its better to train without a gi. For one thing, you learn grappling more realistically because on the street, you are not going to have the luxury of wearing a gi all the time, so if you are taught moves where you have to grab the gi, you might tear your opponents t-shirt and they can escape moves or even make your defence drop.

I haven't read the entire thread yet, but in response to the initial post - with practice, you are able to adapt your kumikata - you can grab clothes without them tearing and perform throws, chokes, etc. gi and no gi both have their advantages, neither is better than the other.

[bushido_man96]

gi and no gi both have their advantages, neither is better than the other.

I agree here. The clothing isn't what is important; the training is.

[marie curie]

Agreed- I think it also depends more on what you want to get out of the practice