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