Good question. Thought provoking as ever, Johan
My first thoughts were to cost of equipment, then the requirement for greater levels of supervision (to avoid injury to wrists, fingers, etc. through poor form) and time spent (getting the equipment out, wearing it, putting it away...).
These would be reasons why it is not perhaps used more often in a club environment. But of course, there is nothing to stop smaller groups from practising together with these aids. Perhaps when the class splits up to practise according to grade... or even individuals training at home.
One other aspect might be the "label" that goes with donning a uniform. People who put on Dogi, start to behave like Kenshi. In a similar way, it is possible that people who put on Boxing gloves and Do will lose their form and adapt to a preconceived notion of the required movement. In this case, I can see value in bringing out the gloves after the Kenshi have begun to absorb the basics. In this way, the differences can be studied and compared.
There is obvious value to training in protective gear, or learning to strike Bags, etc. Would others agree that it is something complementary to basic Kihon, but impractical as a replacement?
I always sound so conservative when radical ideas are offered. Perhaps it is because I never got far enough in the Shu-Ha-Ri cycle to think that any of my ideas for training might be any better than the ones that were already in place. Perhaps it is because I have a narrow mind.
David Noble
Shorinji Kempo (1983 - 1988)
I'll think of a proper sig when I get a minute...
For now, I'm just waiting for the smack of the Bo against a hard wooden floor....