Dressing Up to Train

Like all martial arts or sports for that matter, Aikido has their own set of uniforms. The aikidogi or the uniform used in aikido is similar to the keikogi used in most martial arts. Keikogi is a term used to refer to uniform for training.

This is a general term used to refer to uniforms of donned for traditional martial arts class. For Aikido it’s the aikidogi, for Judo it’s judogi, for Jiujitsu it’s the jujutsugi, karategi for Karate, kendogi for kendo plus the shinobi-iri plus shinobi shozoku for Ninjutsu arts. The training uniforms used in martial arts are sometimes referred to as mere gi or dogi.

For aikidokas, judo jackets might be advisable since some Aikido techniques also involve some keikogi grabbing which could tear the cloth during practice. sometimes, aikido uniforms are customized to handle precisely the stress in some techniques. Although, personalized or specialized aikodogis are uncommon. If you do find keikogi specially made for Aikido training, you'll notice that the gi has reinforced kneepatches.

The aikid?gi consists of simple trousers plus a white jacket or uwagi or upper garment. For aikidogi, wraparound jackets used in judo plus karate are acceptable. Judo jackets are thicker plus are built for durability since in judo the jacket receives considerable stress from the techniques like seizing plus throwing.

Aside from the trousers plus wraparound jackets, Aikido schools also add hakama, which looks like a dress or skirt, to the uniform. The concept behind wearing a hakama is to be able to hide the movements of the feet. The hakama is commonly black or indigo in color plus are usually reserved for aikidokas that have received the dan rank.

The jacket is also a little longer around the waist which allows the aikidoka to easily tuck them to their hakama. The Aikdo jacket might also have shorter sleeves since basic techniques of Aikido focuses on wrist grabs plus twists. The uwagi might be made from heavyweight tightly woven terrycloth which is similar to uwagi of Judo or from heavy canvas similar to karategi. Regardless, both are strong to withstand the regular grappling plus throwing found in Aikido training.

In Aikido, most of the styles or schools use the ky?/dan ranking technique which is the norm in the martial arts world. However, each style has different qualifications for meeting each rank plus each style might use colored belts for ky? levels while others do not. In some schools the hakama is worn by all students regardless of rank. While in other styles, only female aikidokas are required to wear them.

When buying for first aikidogi it is important to make sure that the size plus fit is right. Uniforms that are too small will constrict your movements while too big a size will get in the way of executing techniques. As mentioned before, in Aikido you'll get considerable pulling, stretching, sliding, jumping plus throwing thus the need for a set of uniform that won't easily tear from the regular training routine. Double stitched uniforms are usually stronger plus will handle the stress.
Extra knee padding is also a plus. However, do remember that these things cost a little extra but its all worth it since you'll be having a uniform that will lasts longer. This is definitely better than buying a new six every time you tear it up during training.