When I arrived at my first martial arts class, to say I was intimidated is an understatement. I was given a pair of hand-me-down gi pants that I could not figure out, and then thrown into an open mat. Looking back, I can’t imagine throwing any of my current students into that environment and expecting them to return. Yet somehow I survived and have now become a comfortable fixture at my home dojo.
But there are two ways to gain information. One way is through doing, and some people thrive on that (I am looking at all my extroverts out there). For the rest of us, it can be incredibly helpful to have a few pointers before going into a class. So I am starting a series here for the new Judoka (that’s the word we use for someone training Judo), or martial artist, saying “Now What?” I hope to offer you what I would have wanted before my first class.
Color and Style
So, our first “Now What” in the series. You’ve purchased a gi…or perhaps you haven’t gotten that far. Let’s start with picking out a gi. If you order a starter gi through our dojo, you will most likely receive the most lightweight option with a starter gi. It offers the look and feel of a Judo gi without being too stiff and cumbersome. I always encourage new students to start with a white gi as that is the most appropriate color for dojos, but you can eventually add a blue gi into your collection (which will be a necessity in the event that you begin competing).
The most common Judo gi type you will see is a single weave, and you can find these on Amazon, Fuji sports, and many other online retailers (Elite has great rash guards to wear under your gi, but feel free to wear any comfortable sports wear). For a final “level-up” to your gi life, Judo is especially known for the double weave. It is extremely heavy weight and durable, which is important for this martial art because of the force with which you can throw an opponent. Rather than focusing on flexibility, this gi focuses on durability, but the fabric and fit can discourage a first-time student.
Fit
Next, you try on your new uniform. Only, if you are like me, you cannot get the drawstring to work and feel a little foolish. Well, don’t feel foolish. Then, using both hands, grab the drawstring in your upturned fists at each hip bone, and pull away perpendicular from your body. Did that work? If not, let me know. It’s the pants, it’s not you, I promise!
Here’s some links to a Judo Academy showing you how to tie your pants and belt, I really love their videos:
Cleaning
And now, let’s say, you’ve brought this gi home…stinky, sweaty, and disgusting. First of all, good job on the workout. Secondly, you need to clean this bad boy! So you put it in the washer on a hot cycle, hoping to get the funk out (IYKYK), and then plop it in the dryer with a few extra dryer sheets for good measure. Except…dun, dun, dunnn! You now have a child’s size gi to hand down to your nephew…what the heck happened?! Well, I clearly failed to warn you that a gi is notoriously easy to shrink, and constant wash and dry cycles are hard on any fabrics. So the best method for cleaning a gi is cold water, adding either vinegar or a rinsing agent to the cycle (I like the smell of Tide Clean Boost, myself), and hanging up to dry (it usually takes 24 hours to dry).
And there you have it! All my Judo gi knowledge in a nutshell. I hope you learned something, and I hope to see you…on the mat!