Although most martial arts emphasize a form of combat or self-defense, violence is usually not their primary focus. Instead martial artists strive for the self-knowledge, respect and discipline to help stay away from potential trouble in the first place. This makes the martial arts school an excellent place for your child to learn valuable life lessons in a supportive environment. He might be allowed to take an introductory lesson in sweats, but if he continues training he will need basic gear.
Uniform
A martial arts uniform is first and foremost a functional item designed to allow unrestricted movement. Most uniforms are sturdy enough to stand up to repeated washings and rough handling, but grappling uniforms are made especially thick and heavy to withstand the extra punishment of grappling arts, including judo and jiu-jitsu. Japanese and Korean martial arts tend to favor a two-piece uniform that looks a bit like pajamas to Western eyes, with a colored belt to indicate the student's rank.
Practice Equipment
The martial arts school usually provides all the practice targets and padding your child will need -- but only while she's at the school. If she wants to practice punches and kicks at home you can invest in focus mitts and hand-held kicking targets or shields if you want to work out with her, or stand-alone and hanging kicking and punching bags if she needs to practice on her own. If tumbling or learning how to fall properly is part of the martial art she's studying, you might also want to invest in a folding gymnastic mat.
Safety Equipment
Padded groin protectors that slip on beneath the uniform are available for male and female students. Most female students won't wear a groin protector during everyday class, but male students might choose to do so. The protectors may be required for sparring practice. If your child begins sparring, the school might have extra pieces of major equipment to loan him. But be ready to provide a moldable mouthpiece for your child to wear, and check to make sure that a padded helmet in the right size is available through the school before you send him off to spar.
Tournament Gear
If your child decides to compete in a martial arts tournament, the overseeing school or organization will have strict rules about what sort of safety equipment is required. Make sure to find out about these rules in advance as your child can be barred from competing without the proper safety gear. Requirements vary between arts and organizations but common items include a helmet, gloves, a chest protector, forearm protectors, foot protectors, groin protectors and shin protectors.
Weapons
Some martial arts use a variety of weapons -- from Chinese broadswords to nunchuks or nunchaku, the traditional Okinawan flail -- to train coordination and mental discipline in addition to martial prowess. If your child expresses an interest in weapons training you can purchase foam-padded versions of blunt weapons, including staves and nunchucks, or blunted, wooden or bamboo versions of pointed weapons such as sais and swords.
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