The design of the karate uniform, or gi, is thought to have its origins in 1600s Japan, when Japanese practiced their martial arts at night in their sleepwear. The gi consists of a wrap-able jacket, double-loop drawstring pants and a belt. The fit of your gi can hamper your karate moves if incorrect. Your pants are especially important to tie correctly since karate involves kicking and proper footwork, both of which can be negatively affected if your pants fall down around your ankles.
Step 1
Pull on your karate pants, making sure the loops that are in the middle of the waistband are in the front.
Step 2
Locate the strings on either side of the waistband. The drawstrings exit the pants at the hips, not in front as is typical in garments like sweatpants. Pull the strings away from your body with equal tension to keep the strings the same length. If one string becomes longer than the other, compensate by pulling on the other side's string until both strings are equal.
Step 3
Pull the strings until the waistband contracts to a comfortable fit around your waist. Draw the strings forward to the front of the pants and push them through the loop in the middle of the waistband.
Step 4
Tie the strings together with a secure knot or bow that won't come undone while you are performing karate's complicated movements. Tuck the free ends behind the pant's waistband so they don't flop around.
Tips and Warnings
- Before laundering, tie the ends of the drawstrings together into a bow or loose knot so neither end becomes sucked into the waistband of the pants or comes loose completely during the wash.
Things You'll Need
- Karate pants
Member Comments