Karate uniforms, sit-ups and sore butts
Canvas uniforms, particularly the very heavy expensive ones, have a very large seam which runs down the middle of the pants where the material has been folded several times and stitched together. This seam will sit right in the middle of your back side.
Problem: When doing high repetitions of sit-ups, this center seam can literally saw a hole through your skin.
Solution: Place a strip of gaffa tape over the seam!
We all know most of the world is held together with gaffa tape and this is no exception!
If you have had the misfortune to receive one of these seam cuts you may soon become familiar with the pain this can cause and you’ll be amazed about how long it can take to heal.
Visitor comment:
“My own Gi is one of the heavier, thicker ones, and although usually sit-ups cause me tremendous discomfort in my underdeveloped abdominal muscles, one day I must have had that seam in the wrong place. It didn’t hurt so bad while I was doing the sit-ups, but when I came home I had a huge wound(!) at my butt which was literally bleeding. I still have the scar, now about 2 months later, and it was very painful for a very long time! Beware of the evil seam!”
CelticCrippler said:
You could substitue V-Ups instead of doing the classic sit up. There is less pressure on your rear, less pressure on your lower back, they are more ef […] more
Brenda said:
What is gaffa tape? Is it duct tape? Scotch tape? Adhesive tape? If we cannot identify, then describe? Woven? Cloth? Plastic? Clear? Opaque? Wond […] more
Hoang said:
I just wear something under it like breifs and boxers together.
Mike said:
> What is gaffa tape? Brenda, meet Google. Google, Brenda. :)
Bill said:
crunches are better than sit ups for several reasons, one being the evil seam. Also crunches don’t put strain on your neck. Much energy is waste […] more
james strauch said:
I have found out also about the seam of all evil, and it can be verry painfull, what works for me is wearing cycling shorts, or tight running shorts u […] more
Emily said:
(Sometimes in the US called duct tape) A fabric-based sticky tape (black or silver in colour) which is used to fasten down cables temporarily and for […] more
jenni said:
seam, what seam? ooohhh THAT seam! meh, seen as im the only girl in the dojo i have to wear a white t-shirt of my brothers & cause hes 6 foot 2 &a […] more
Helene said:
In response to “duct tape”, it’s actually really, truly called “Duck” tape; it’s a brand name. The original brand name was “Tuck” tape and it was dev […] more
Eric said:
Uh, nope it is actually DUCT tape. It was originally developed for sealing up ductwork. Gaffer’s tape is sightly different. Gaffer’s tape is highly st […] more
Ali said:
that is sooo true
dalan said:
heavy cotton sounds okay, but canvas sounds like torture. if its the type of canvas i’m thinking of, that would hurt quite a lot, very often
Joanne said:
I am going to tak eup karate this thursday. can someone please tell me what do I wear inside before I put on my qi. I am a female and I am wondering i […] more
Colleen said:
I wear a sports bra under my gi. Black or white is my personal choice, and I like the bras that have thick straps, similar to a tank top. Lycra is g […] more
Alan Copper said:
has anyone thought of buying a good quality Gi, you are sposed to be warriors not be making excuses to use bondage
Jessika said:
I just wear a regular bra. I practice Wado-Ryu and I am currently a yellow belt. My Sensie throw me the other day by my gi and it came open. He and th […] more
Pr0z1n4t0r said:
Why are we argueing about different types of tape? lol