| Martial arts equipment has evolved as the different | | | | than regular mats. |
| types of marital arts styles have evolved over the | | | | Other types of martial arts equipment include |
| years. The term martial arts comes from the Roman | | | | breaking boards, which martial artists use in breaking |
| god of war, Mars and literally means the art of war. | | | | demonstrations, in which martial artists use a part of |
| Methods of training vary between styles as do the | | | | their body, usually their hands or feet, to break |
| theories of the official origins. Most experts agree | | | | objects like boards, bricks, and occasionally blocks of |
| that the foundation of Asian martial arts is likely a | | | | ice. Wooden breaking boards are the most common |
| blend of Indian and Chinese fighting techniques, as | | | | item, and are available in several different sizes. |
| these two nations traded extensively with each | | | | There are even very small boards designed for use |
| other via the Silk Road. | | | | by very young children. |
| The first martial arts equipment, per se, were | | | | Uniforms are another essential part of any martial |
| wooden sticks used in combat. The bow and arrow | | | | arts students equipment list. The uniform, or gi, is |
| was another early weapon, particularly the Yum, or | | | | usually white, but comes in other colors as well. |
| Japanese longbow. The Yumi is traditionally made out | | | | There are uniform variations between martial arts |
| of laminated bamboo and is asymmetrically shaped. | | | | styles, but all uniforms are designed to be lightweight, |
| The string of the Yumi is traditionally made of hemp, | | | | flexible, and durable. Your instructor will be able to |
| but most modern day bows have synthetically made | | | | help you choose the best type of uniform for you, |
| strings. Historians hypothesize that the unique shape | | | | depending on your discipline. |
| of the Yumi allowed it to be used more easily by | | | | Martial arts equipment varies by discipline, by dojo, |
| fighters on horseback. | | | | and by instructor, so before you purchase yours, |
| Dojo mats are standard martial arts equipment for | | | | make sure that you are well informed as to which |
| any martial arts studio. Their cushioned surface is | | | | types to buy. Many dojos nowadays, for example, |
| designed to reduce the impact of a fall during | | | | require their students to wear gis emblazoned with |
| practice or a match, and ultimately, reduce the | | | | their own colors and logs as opposed to the |
| likelihood and severity of injuries. The main types of | | | | traditional white gi that is often seen, so it only |
| mats include standard, and grappling and take down | | | | makes sense to get the specific requirements down |
| mats, which are designed to absorb more impact | | | | before you purchase anything. |