Monday, September 6, 2010

Me + Sit-Ups in a Gi = Sore Hiney

In class, our ab-work is mostly about leg raises and crunches, but occasionally, we do pair up, lock legs and do partner sit-ups. And every time we do, I end up with a rug burn-like rash on my tailbone. The funny (as in ironic, not comedic) thing is that I usually don't notice it until after class is done, I've driven home and jumped in the shower - because soapy water on a raw skin is not a pleasant experience, let me tell you.

No one else in the dojo seems to have this issue for some reason. I figured it had something to do with the seam in either my gi bottoms or the bike shorts I wear underneath, but since I had no live person with a similar experience to compare notes with, I couldn't really put my finger on what the issue was.

Until I stumbled across this blurb on All-Karate.com. Sorry to find that others have also had issues with "the wound" but happy to hear they had solutions, too! Misery really does love company, I suppose.

I guess I'll be adding a roll of gaffer's tape to my already over-loaded gear bag...

10 comments:

  1. Aha! A mystery explained!

    Also, "duct tape is like the force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together."

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  2. This is a new one on me Felicia. I never realised that people get a 'gi burn' from doing sit-ups! I can only conclude that a)you work harder at sit-ups than me b)my bum's a different shape to yours or c)my bum's more padded than yours!It's probably a combination of all three. Hope the gaffer tape works!:-)

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  3. I think it is the actual coming up higher off the ground than with leg raises and crunches. That and the idea the the seam sits right on my tail bone, I guess, rubs me the wrong way, I suppose. I truly sucks, but I'm happy to know there is a solution!

    And I hope the tape works, too, Sue!! I'll keep you posted...

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  4. Cindy - you ever tried duct tape? It's all I have in the house other than electrical, Scotch and white athletic tape, so I'm planning on giving it a go this evening (and watch this be a night we do no parter sit-ups!). It's gotta be cheaper/easier to find than gaffer's tape, I'm thinking...

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  5. I haven't used it for this purpose specifically, Felicia, but it's what I keep in my kit for emergency clothing repair, so it's what I'll try first. I'll report back if we do sit-ups before you guys do.

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  6. I get this too! I hate hate hate doing sit-ups in my gi. Always end up with at least a bruise, if not red-raw skin. Never tried gaffa tape but might keep some in my bag just in case. Thanks for the tip!

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  7. used to get this with traditional tie trousers. When I swapped to elasticated it went away. I think the elastic gi pants don't move so much? Not sure if that helps? S

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  8. Yea I've actually de-emphasized situps during warmup routines. I figure people can work on that at home in a much more comfortable manner.

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  9. Suze, I usually wear elastic waist bottoms that are much lighter than my traditional-tie, heavy (canvas-like!) gi - and I still get the rash. It seems that the friction is the thing. BTW, I tried the duct tape and it worked :-) Whoo-Hoo!

    Matt, we don't do lots of sit-ups in class, either - thank goodness - which is why it took me so long to report on taping the seam, LOL. Funny thing is that I do crunches at home in bike shorts on carpet no less and never have any issues. Perhaps it is the dojo floor/gi bottom combo that is the culprit. Thanks for stopping by :-)

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