| Mom, can I take karate lessons? | | | | considering signing up for martial arts classes, here's a |
| It's a question that's bound to come up if you're | | | | brief overview of the types of equipment that you |
| raising boys — and increasingly girls. Martial arts | | | | may need to purchase for training. |
| training has become as popular with girls as dance | | | | Uniforms |
| and gymnastics used to be. The media attention to | | | | Martial arts uniforms may all look alike to the |
| such martial sports and fighting arts as kickboxing, | | | | uninitiated, but each style of the martial arts has |
| muay thai, karate, jiu-jitsu, tae kwon do and other | | | | specific styles of uniforms that have evolved or been |
| forms of martial arts have fueled their popularity | | | | designed specifically to fit that style of fighting and |
| among youth and adults. | | | | competition. Many schools sell the uniform that they |
| One of the least discussed aspects of martial arts | | | | expect you to wear for class and competition, but if |
| training among non-initiates is the equipment and gear | | | | they don't check with the instructor to find out |
| that you'll need. If you or your child(ren) are | | | | exactly what you should be wearing. |