| The first and last thing you need to remember about | | | | distinguish what type of martial arts is being done |
| martial arts is that it is a field of discipline that is | | | | based on what the fighters are wearing. But uniforms |
| supposed to prepare you for combat. It is not simply a | | | | are not just pleasant to look at – since they are |
| set of movements that look great to spectators. | | | | made of thick material, they are pretty durable so that |
| Every movement, every breath done by the martial | | | | they can withstand constant strikes and friction during |
| artist is meant to accomplish something during a | | | | combat situations. Uniforms nowadays are also made |
| combat encounter. If you are ready for the idea of | | | | of breathable material like thick cotton so that fighters |
| using your martial arts skills for combat situations, then | | | | don’t overheat or feel too uncomfortable in the |
| you are ready to train and progress in martial arts. | | | | heat of a match. |
| Inasmuch as the term “Martial Arts” literally | | | | Since martial arts were developed for combat, often |
| means “the art of Mars” (Mars being the god of | | | | fighters or martial artists might be members of the |
| war in Roman mythology), you should be prepared to | | | | military. In the Western context then, it may be |
| invest in martial arts equipment to train for highly | | | | necessary to have access to important martial arts |
| combative situations. Though some cultures frown | | | | equipment such as strength training equipment. Though |
| upon women taking part in martial arts, there are other | | | | in the past, the weight of your opponent may have |
| cultures that expect women to learn martial arts too | | | | been enough to workout with, nowadays many martial |
| – like in ancient Japan, wives of samurai warriors | | | | arts recognize that strength training is quite important |
| were expected to defend the home if attacked in the | | | | too. So if you can find a way to buy your own gym |
| absence of their husbands. | | | | equipment (as your investment into necessary martial |
| Martial arts can be subdivided as to what skills they | | | | arts equipment) or at least rent them by the hour, that |
| seem to prioritize – this will tell you what types of | | | | would help you develop strength and power for your |
| martial arts equipment you need to use. For striking, | | | | matches. |
| you may need the “wooden dummy” that is | | | | In many Chinese martial arts, there are other forms of |
| used as Chinese martial arts equipment – this type | | | | martial arts equipment that Western martial arts do not |
| of Chinese martial arts equipment tries to train your | | | | require. Some Chinese disciplines will require you to |
| mind to anticipate where angles of attack would come | | | | break wooden blocks or planks with your fist. This |
| from. For kicking sports like Taekwondo, the | | | | simple yet staple among Chinese martial arts |
| necessary martial arts equipment to use would be a | | | | equipment tests your power, focus, and ability to |
| mouth-guard and a head-guard (for both male and | | | | marshal your chi (energy) into your fist where it meets |
| female jins or fighters.) Male jins need other martial | | | | the wood. Another type of necessary martial arts |
| arts equipment like a crotch guard or sport cup so that | | | | equipment for the Chinese martial arts would be |
| their groin is not exposed to injury. Chest protectors | | | | concrete blocks. Some instructors may ask you to |
| are standard martial arts equipment for amateur | | | | break these concrete blocks with your fist, feet, or |
| matches and Olympic-level matches. However, in real | | | | even your head. |
| life you should expect such protective martial arts | | | | As you can see, the Chinese martial arts require a |
| equipment to be absent so some sparring matches | | | | different set of martial arts equipment compared to |
| involve absence of any protective gear, so you get | | | | the Western type of martial arts. Do invest in the type |
| used to being in real-life combat situations. | | | | of martial arts equipment appropriate for your discipline. |
| Uniforms are standard martial arts equipment for | | | | Martial arts equipment will help you be a stronger, |
| nearly all martial arts nowadays. Often, you can | | | | better and more confident fighter in the end. |