Help! Can't Find a Gi That Fits- Overweight

[Sapphire1166]

So after a 12 year hiatus, I'm finally getting back into martial arts and have started Shotokan. I just had a baby and am very out of shape and overweight. I'm currently a size 20 who is 5' 8" and cannot, for the life of me find a gi that fits me. I tried a size 7 Tokaido and the waist was too tight for me unless I hiked it way up, but I was literally swimming in the pants and top. The top of the gi nearly reached the floor!

Is there anywhere I can find a gi to accommodate my larger waist without having to do extensive alterations to the rest of the gi? I'd prefer a cheaper uniform until I lose some weight and can invest in a good gi, but if my options are severely limited I'll take what I can get. Thank you in advance!

[Wastelander]

So after a 12 year hiatus, I'm finally getting back into martial arts and have started Shotokan. I just had a baby and am very out of shape and overweight. I'm currently a size 20 who is 5' 8" and cannot, for the life of me find a gi that fits me. I tried a size 7 Tokaido and the waist was too tight for me unless I hiked it way up, but I was literally swimming in the pants and top. The top of the gi nearly reached the floor!

Is there anywhere I can find a gi to accommodate my larger waist without having to do extensive alterations to the rest of the gi? I'd prefer a cheaper uniform until I lose some weight and can invest in a good gi, but if my options are severely limited I'll take what I can get. Thank you in advance!

First of all, welcome back to karate, and welcome to the forum!

Gi manufacturers follow "standard" sizing for all of their production uniforms. Most people don't fit within those "standards," but they can usually get by with hemming or rolling up sleeves and pant legs. Unfortunately, overweight people don't usually have this option. I know some overweight karateka, and they almost always have to settle for a gi that isn't quite large enough, or a gi that is far too long for them. The best option is really going to be buying the largest gi that fits around you, and then having it shortened and have the legs and sleeves taken in, if necessary. The alterations can be done fairly cheaply, if you can find someone who does seamstress/tailor work out of their home--usually, asking around will find someone. It's also probably best for you to buy the pants and top separately (that's really best for most people) because the proportions aren't going to be right.

I have yet to see any company provide a gi that is actually meant for overweight people. You would think someone would get on that.

[Hawkmoon]

Hello Sapphire1166!

hehehe I hear you!

Like you I returned after an over long absence (a little more than you) ....mostly driven by my sons desire to do what 'dad did' when my old Gi fell out of a wardrobe one time.

I put it on to show him what it looked like and ... had a little trouble doing the belt up! It was a 280cm belt, and used to hang down about mid point of my thigh ... not any more!

Any GI is going to need modification I think, not many suppliers allow you to mix and match, and the few that do generally charge the earth for the privilege and are the upper end of the quality chain!

So maybe a cheap/cheaper 180/190cm GI will do, with a few modifications, for now. Cut the Arms and Legs down that sort of thing, if you get a light weight suit it'll be easier to stitch up and keep a neat tidy appearance!

Blitz and Shogun Gis (Here in the UK anyway) are a cheap and good generally!

A search of eBay offers a Blitz Gi for £17.50 (About $25.00)

Blitz Sport Adult Karate GI - I search with that term in https://www.ebay.com and found them on offer for $30!

maybe be worth a look!

Good luck and welcome back!

[sensei8]

What I've noticed is that Gi sizes seem to address height and not a growing belly. If one can fit a Gi off the rack, that's great. But if not, a visit to the tailor might not be such a bad idea. At least until you're fit as a fiddle again.

Good luck with your search!!

[Sapphire1166]

Update here. So I basically was in tears the other day. I ordered a cheap medium weight gi online in a size 7. It was too long, and just a tad too snug in the waist. So I returned it and ordered a size 8 (the highest size many companies offer) knowing I'd need it tailored, and the waist was still too snug! It was like the only difference between the 7 and the 8 was an extra 5 inches in length.

So I'm lost as to what to do. I can't continue showing up to class in sweatpants and a t shirt, but I truly don't know where to find a gi that fits. I've tried 7's and 8's in 3 different brands so far, and the waists are all still a little snug and I can't imagine moving comfortably in them.

[DWx]

Unfortunately gi manufactures cater for one body shape only and assume that being bigger always means being taller.. Trust me I know, I have to have my doboks tailored.

Might be a bit costly but maybe going for a totally custom gi might be an option. Here's a couple of places that would do them:

https://www.tokaidojapan.com/ntokaido/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33_32&products_id=73&zenid=4c4749bc0ffe68206a4209efb0d049eb

http://www.ichibaninternational.com/suits/m2m/

http://www.satori-gi.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Uniforms&category=Main

I also think Century will do custom mades if you get in contact with them: http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Complete_Uniforms.aspx

[Archimoto]

Hi Sapphire !!!

One of the most marvelous aspects of the martial arts in my opinion is the transformation that each and every practitioner goes through mentally and physically. As long as your sensei allows it I humbly suggest that you keep rocking the sweat pants to class - put all of you focus on your physical transformation - and one day you'll strut in to class with a gi - THAT FITS !

I know it's easier said than done but I mean it. I think you will earn tremendous respect by taking this approach. You can do it !!!

[Nidan Melbourne]

What I've noticed is that Gi sizes seem to address height and not a growing belly. If one can fit a Gi off the rack, that's great. But if not, a visit to the tailor might not be such a bad idea. At least until you're fit as a fiddle again.

Good luck with your search!!

I agree. My pants were too long so I had to get them taken up to fit.

I am also overweight so finding Gi's that fit are difficult straight up. But getting things tailored are the best way.

[sensei8]

An idea...buy two gi's of the same size and color that match up to your height. Then, take them both to a tailor and have one gi made from the two. A tailor could cut one of the gi's by splitting it entirely at the side seam, and then sew panels back into the sides, and the gusset is unaffected by this method. Possibly around $100 USD. Custom tailored gi's from start to finish, might be around $160 to $330 USD, plus any other fees and shipping.

Just an idea.

Good luck, and please let us know how things went.

[Nidan Melbourne]

I haven't thought of getting a custom gi made.

The annoying thing other than the length is when i get into stances there is always the issue of the amount of room. As in sometimes in can get tight, I have large muscles in my upper leg. So getting width just at those points may work as well.