While I readily agree that the vast majority of martial arts students certainly don't require a Velcro belt (the martial arts equivalent of a clip-on necktie), they do serve a purpose in special cases.
For many years I had a student who only had one arm, and for many years I watched him struggle for twenty minutes or so just trying to get his belt on correctly, which in fact he was seldom able to do. It would start coming unraveled about ten minutes into the class, and he was constantly having to stop and attempt to retie it throughout the class. Needlesss to say, this was somewhat distracting to the class overall, and most certainly an unwanted detriment to the handicapped students training time overall. My son spotted these Velcro belts in a catalog, purchashed one for this student, and presented it to him as a present. Problem solved, and everyone in class, including myself, was happy with the results of this gift.
That said, however, for a student that is not burdened by such a handicap, to be wearing a velcro belt in class, pretty much borders on being a sacreligious action on their part. If they can't devote enough of their energy to tie their belt on, what kind of effort will they be putting forth in class?
