| Choose Your Weapon: | | | | |
| | | | Other Benefits of Rash Guards: |
| There are many varieties and styles of | | | | |
| martial arts and each one involves some kind | | | | Rash guards also have built in SPF, generally |
| of physical contact. Whether you are | | | | very high, for ultimate outdoor protection. |
| interested in the fast combination kicks and | | | | This UV protection is quite useful for |
| punches of karate or prefer the sweeps and | | | | outdoor presentations and practices. The SPF |
| throws of judo, a rash guard is an excellent | | | | of the rash guard material is not affected by |
| accessory and should even be considered a | | | | water or sweat and offers SPF150+ protection |
| required piece of equipment. | | | | from the sun's harmful rays. They were |
| | | | originally intended for beach and water use, |
| Rash Guard Basics: | | | | which is why they have the SPF built into the |
| | | | fabric. |
| Rash guards are protective shirts. They | | | | |
| usually come in long sleeved versions for the | | | | Practicing katas and movements in a rash |
| most protection and are tight fitting. The | | | | guard allows for little air resistance and is |
| fabric and design allow for easy movement, | | | | often preferred by those who do their |
| something which is very important in martial | | | | movements outdoors, as with tai chi. The UV |
| arts. Although rash guards are not limited to | | | | protection combined with ease of movement is |
| martial arts and are in fact more commonly | | | | a big plus for anyone interested in |
| used in other sports such as surfing, they | | | | practicing their sport outside. |
| are becoming quite a popular addition to the | | | | |
| protective gear used in these sports. | | | | While most rash guards are meant to be |
| | | | tightly fitted, some are designed for maximum |
| The protective fabric of the rash guard is | | | | breathing and are a little looser. The fabric |
| ideal for sparring. It allows the user to | | | | is specially designed to allow sweat to |
| avoid painful rashes caused by scraping skin | | | | escape and to keep the body ventilated. This |
| against the floor, concrete, grass or even | | | | has obvious advantages in a sport as intense |
| exercise mats. It also keeps the fingernails | | | | as martial arts. These rash guards are not |
| of your opponent from scratching you during a | | | | used as often because the regular rash guards |
| grappling session. | | | | cling to the body and provide a more |
| | | | streamlined surface. |
| When used in martial arts, the rash guard is | | | | |
| worn under the gi to comply with the rules | | | | Rash guards are commonly referred to as swim |
| that most dojos have regarding uniform. A gi | | | | shirts because of their aquatic origins. Many |
| provides a certain amount of protection, but | | | | people still believe that they are only good |
| the rash guard is an extra safety measure, | | | | only for water sports, but the truth is that |
| like a mouth guard. You can choose a color | | | | they are commonly used for many sports, both |
| that fits with your gi or your belt, if you | | | | in and out of the water. Anywhere that you |
| like, for added aesthetics. | | | | need minor protection against rashes and skin |
| | | | irritations, or heavy duty UV protection, a |
| If a gi is not required, using just the rash | | | | rash guard can be used. |
| guard gives you a more streamlined body, | | | | |
| because of the tight fit and smooth fabric. | | | | To see a selection of rash guards for martial |
| This can make it more difficult for an | | | | arts use, see |
| opponent to get a good hold on your body and | | | | |
| also allows for more aerodynamic movement. | | | | Ms. Valesko owns and operates where you can |
| The sleek design makes for easy movement and | | | | find quality rash guard shirts for the |
| plenty of flexibility, both extremely useful | | | | ultimate skin protection in any extreme |
| qualities in sports clothing. | | | | sport. |