Well be have 3 phone books, we use either 2, or 3 of them for less range of motion.
They are pretty much just like slightly softer boards lol, and I guess less jarring on the joints. You can also do half books, just open up the book and use half, my training partner benched 440lbs off half a book, which is maybe 1.5 inches or something.
I can get my suit on fine, takes ages without suit slippers though, buit with suit slippers i just move around and slide into it. but not the shirt no way lol, and I have small arms for my weight class I think, about 15". the 40 is MUCH tighter than the 42 f6 I used once, big difference hah. My arms are just too hyooge
Your katana must be way to loose hah!!! Get a tighter one for your next meet!
You guys both need tighter gear!!!!