Does your club insist on exclusive equipment?

[Harkon72]

I noticed four gi's on sale at a local second hand shop. Unfortunately, they were too small for me. I saw a lady with a child from a rival club; I quite like her so I told her about them. She said that the Renshi that runs the club would never allow his students to wear gis in his club other than the ones that he sold them. I expect that he makes a tidy profit on them too; has anyone else seen such rules as this?

[Wastelander]

I noticed four gi's on sale at a local second hand shop. Unfortunately, they were too small for me. I saw a lady with a child from a rival club; I quite like her so I told her about them. She said that the Renshi that runs the club would never allow his students to wear gis in his club other than the ones that he sold them. I expect that he makes a tidy profit on them too; has anyone else seen such rules as this?

My old dojo strongly recommended/quietly required students to purchase all martial arts uniforms and equipment through them. To be fair, though, they had a wholesale discount and ended up charging the same price as what you would pay online. My current dojo will gladly order equipment/uniforms (same deal with the pricing) but doesn't require it.

[SteyrAUG]

While I understand the commercial aspect you are objecting to, I also understand the guy who is running a commercial business not wishing to see potential profits go out the door.

For me I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I really only care about the martial arts. I do have some rules however about things like weapons. Nobody is going to be swinging around a 440 stainless "samurai sword" and their nunchaku are probably not going to be from AWMA or Century.

We do weapon on weapon contact training and I don't need a half a nunchaku flying through the air and tagging somebody in the head. And to make sure nobody gets a Chinese knockoff I generally prefer to be the provider of high grade weapons.

[Safroot]

In my dojo it's preferred to get it from the dojo but not a must as long as you will have the kyokushin symbol on it.

[Harkon72]

Our Sensei doesn't mind where you get your Gi, as long as it is neat and tidy. He can advise on a supplier and he can usually offer a discount from the company he uses. I was given my black gi from my sensei, but I opted not to have the club embroidery and back print included on it; that was my choice. I have bought several weapons for our club members from the best value and most authentic supplier I can find. My Sensei trusts my judgment on quality as I have been studying Kobudo for longer than he has. Safety is our priority and all students and staff are responsible for the up keep of their weapons.

[andym]

It's a catch 22 situation. Understanding the commercial side, but disliking the enforced nature of it. Plus, I see this in McDojo's , more than quality Dojo's, but not always.

[Canadian77]

In my dojo it's preferred to get it from the dojo but not a must as long as you will have the kyokushin symbol on it.

I think this is the same for my dojo. But our fees include the cost of the gi, and our fees are quite reasonable, so it makes sense to me that we get them from our dojo. We do get the crest for our dojo separately (also included in fees) and have to attach them, so I imagine if you had your own gi already or bought another it wouldn't be a problem. But so far I haven't had any issue with the gis I've worn, so it hasn't been a problem.

[Zaine]

I've never practiced at a dojo that required you buy from them. The one's that have sold usually have a pretty good price, however, so many ended up buying from them anyway. In Arlington, though, there is a pretty awesome martial arts store that a lot of the schools have a relationship with, so a lot of times you will find instructors recommending the store more than anything else.

[sensei8]

It's a catch 22 situation. Understanding the commercial side, but disliking the enforced nature of it. Plus, I see this in McDojo's , more than quality Dojo's, but not always.

Solid post!!

[Karate_John]

I never put much thought into this, My original Gi came from the club. My current Gi and gear I got myself, but not from the same store. The only comment I got was a quick pause in the class and my Shihan saying "Nice Gi" (Meijin Tropical) lol

It seems in club at least as long as you don't use the same suppler they don't care, guess they get a small kickback for selling... but we are a non-profit anyway.