When it comes to martial arts equipment, the best gear depends on your needs. For example, a muay Thai fighter will require different equipment for training than a karate student. In terms of the best choice among similar equipment, clear choices of quality exist. However, individual brands rarely deliver a significantly better or worse quality of equipment, unless you opt for custom and competition level price points.
Sparring
Sparring is part of the training regimen for many martial arts. It consists of fighting under controlled circumstances in order to build skill with the techniques used in a particular art. Traditional martial arts like karate and tae kwon do typically require foam-dipped head, hand and foot gear. These consist of a molded foam pad coated with vinyl. For boxing, a heavy-duty padded helmet and the iconic gloves are the best sparring equipment. For mixed martial arts sparring, the best equipment includes headgear and sparring gloves with holes for the individual fingers.
Uniforms
Traditional martial arts uniforms come in three weights: lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight. For children, lightweight uniforms are the best option. The heavyweight uniforms last longer, but your child will likely outgrow his uniform before the durability becomes important. Because the average lifespan of an adult student's career is nine to 12 months, the best uniform choice for a beginner is also lightweight. Only pay for heavyweight uniforms once you're sure you will train for several years. Middleweight uniforms are rarely a good choice: they have neither the cost savings of a lightweight uniform nor the durability of heavyweight. Note that many grappling arts -- notably aikido and judo -- require extra-heavy, quilted jackets that will stand up to the collar pulls used in those styles.
Weapons
Weapons training comes with intermediate and advanced levels of many martial arts. In general, you should start with the least expensive wooden weapon you can find. If your training includes frequently parrying or blocking other weapons, use a rattan or bamboo weapon - it will be the most durable under those circumstances. For training with sharp weapons, use a wooden practice weapon for your first years of study. Only move to a sharp blade once your instructor has told you you're ready.
Punching Bags
Punching bags come in two basic varieties: hanging and free-standing. Most martial artists prefer the hanging variety because it's significantly more flexible than the free-standing bag. If your training space has ceiling joists that can hold up a punching bag, a hanging bag is your best choice. Free-standing bags are the best option in only two circumstances: when you lack ceiling joists for a hanging bag, or when your training space is used for other things. In the second case, it's easier to roll a free-standing bag out of the way than to dismount a hanging bag.
Specialized Requirements
Many martial arts require specialized gear, for example the armor in kendo sword fighting or the training weapons used in krav maga training. In these cases, the best martial arts gear is what your instructor requires or recommends. Your instructor is in the best position to know exactly what students will need for best success in his training program.
References
- Dave Coffman; Martial Arts Instructor; Hillsboro, OR
- Tom Callos; Martial Arts Consultant; Hilo, HI
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