If you are a budding martial artist, one of the first skills you will need to learn is how to tie the belt on your gi or uniform. Each belt is symbolic, because it represents your rank and your knowledge of the Martial Arts discipline. The belt also suggests things such as time spent training, your skill set and your progression.
Our step-by-step guide will teach you how to tie your Martial Arts belt properly. Don’t worry if you don’t get it perfect the first time round!
How to Tie a Gi Belt Step by Step
Step 1: First things first, start by taking the label end of the belt and placing it flat across your stomach using your right hand. This should look similar to the Step 1 illustration. The label end should hang a few inches longer than it will once it’s been tied.
Step 2: Secondly, tightly wrap the left end of the belt around your stomach twice. Whilst doing this, make sure you hold the label end in position.
Step 3: After that, take the left end, which you’ve just wrapped around you, and tuck it underneath both layers of the belt. Pull both ends of the belt to tighten it around you. Take note that the label end should now be on the left-hand side of your body.
Step 4: Next, fold the left end of the belt down. Your belt should now look like the Step 4 illustration.
Step 5: Then, take the label end of the belt and bring it under the left end which you folded down in Step 4.
Step 6: Again, take the label end and loop it around the left end of the belt and pull it through to make a knot.
Step 7: Finally, tighten the knot by pulling on both ends. If the ends of the belt are different lengths, please go through each step again and adjust where necessary. Ideally, you want both ends to be hanging down at the same length.
Quick Tip: To ensure the lengths are the same after Step 7, start Step 1 by folding the belt in half to find the centre. Make sure the fold mark on the belt stays in the middle of your back at all times; when wrapping it around your body. The more you do it, the easier it will get!
You’ll find there are numerous ways to tie your belt. The method you use will also vary depending on your discipline or instructor’s preference. The above guide is just one way to help get you started!
