Tae kwon do is a Korean martial art which you’re probably at least a little bit familiar. Literally meaning “the way of hitting with fists and feet”. the name actually means “the art of punching and kicking”.
The four main disciplines of this sport are sparring, self defense, break test and patterns. For any person who wants to progress to a higher belt grade, he/she must exhibit competence in all four disciplines.
Tae kwon do is a sport which can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from the very young to the very old. Children as young as five can begin learning and adults often find that they gain a number of benefits from practicing the sport. When my son enrolled in this sport he was five years old and I was forty. I thoroughly enjoyed this and could not believe how much my flexibility increased. It also kept my mind sharp when I had to memorize all the various patterns.
However, there is some basic Tae kwon do equipment which you’ll need to get started in the sport. The first thing you are going to need is the Tae Kwon do uniform which is also known as a dobok. Make sure to keep your dobok clean and pressed, since this is the usual custom among people who practice this martial art. When you first begin this sport, most schools prefer that you wear a plain white uniform.
A chest protector is another piece of equipment you’ll need. If you plan to compete, then you should get one which also protects your shoulders. Make sure to use ties instead of velcro so you will be able to adjust your chest protector so that you get a perfect fit.
Another item which needs to be on your Take kwon do equipment list is a set of shin guards. Make sure that the guards aren’t too long, since this will make it difficult to bend your knees and ankles but they should be long enough to provide protection to the entirety of your shins. Arm guards are also a good idea, since these will protect your forearms when you block kicks with your arms. Make sure that your arm protectors provide you with a proper fit before you make a purchase.
A head guard is another essential piece of tae kwon do equipment; this will provide you with some protection from the high kicks which are common in sparring. These are usually white just like Tae kwon do uniforms, Make sure that your head protector has a quality, shock absorbing design.
If you are going to be sparring, the groin guard is an essential part of your Tae Kwon do equipment. You must step into your groin guard in order to put it on. The elastic first goes around your waist and then around the back of your legs. If you plan to spar in Tae Kwon do tournaments, your groin guard must be worn underneath your dobok.
These are the most important pieces of Tae kwon do equipment. but if you decide you’d like to start participating in competitions, but this can wait until you decide that you’re truly serious about competing.