It is no mystery that we behave and act more confidently and charismatically when we are better dressed. I’m not saying that you need to wear a suit and tie every day to accomplish this; I’m saying that you should wear things that fit you well, are of good material quality and above all make you feel comfortable. This also applies to what kind of Gi, Do Bahk, or whatever you decide to call your uniform! Looking and feeling good is important. Even Funakoshi famously spent an hour combing his hair because “A samurai should always be neat in appearance.”
Having a good quality uniform that fits well will positively affect your training. I have three different uniforms that I cycle through regularly when I train, and of the three, one stands out, The pro force 14 oz Master’s uniform. Yes it is four times as expensive as Pro Force’s “budget uniform”, but at the higher price point It gives me access to half-sizes. When buying martial arts uniforms, the size charts are very wide and if you’re in the middle of sizes your uniform will feel very baggy or long. Having pants or sleeves that are too long can really adversely affect your technique.
Now let’s talk about the weight. The heavier weight uniform benefits you in form and in function! It will be more durable and will work better in grappling situations or working on takedowns in class. I have seen many a uniform rip or tear when working on throws or takedowns. When it comes to form, the heavier uniform will also snap and pop more than a lighter weight uniform. You will be able to display and judge your power more effectively!
Just like anything you are trying to buy, there is a saturation point where you need to spend at least a certain amount of money to get decent quality. In this case it is just around $100! Now you can call that expensive and make reasons as to why you should not pay for it. I want to make a few points.
$100 is nothing compared to some other activities’ uniforms. To get a quality Irish dancing dress, you have to spend at least $500 for example. Also, if you invest in a good quality uniform you will need to replace it much less than if you had a basic uniform. At the end of the day you will still spend the same amount of money to replace an old worn uniform of poor quality!
You likely use your cell phone every day to send texts, make phone calls, and many other functions. You likely put a lot of thought into the phone you purchased and invested more money to get a better quality phone and get access to more features. You wouldn’t buy a 20$ flip phone only to replace it in a week! If you train everyday, you should put the same thought and investment into your uniform. Just as you wouldn’t buy a phone or a car only to replace it in a year (If you’re financially smart), get a uniform that will keep you happy for a long time!
