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