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”.
In order to advance to the next belt in this sport, students need to demonstrate their progress in four major disciplines. These four disciplines are self defense, patterns, sparring and a break test.
One of the best things about Tae Kwon do is that it can be done by people of any age. This martial art can be learned by a young child as well as an adult. Many people find that they can greatly improve their flexibility as well as sharpen their minds using this sport and children as young as five can also benefit from the teachings of this martial art. It also kept my mind sharp when I had to memorize all the various patterns.
If you want to get started though, you’ll have to pick up some essential Tae kwon do equipment. The first thing you will want to get your hands on is a dobok; this is a Tae kwon do uniform, typically a plain white one. First and foremost is a Tae kwon do uniform; also called a dobok, this is generally a plain white garment which is customarily kept clean and pressed – your personal appearance certainly counts in this sport. When you first begin this sport, most schools prefer that you wear a plain white uniform.
You will also have to pick up a chest protector for practice; and for use in competitions, you’ll also need a chest protector which includes shoulder padding. Look for a protector which laces up instead of fastening with Velcro, since this makes it easier to get a proper fit and will stay in place securely.
Shin guards are something else you should add to your list of Tae kwon do equipment. They should not be too long as you will need to bend you knees and ankles fully. 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.
Head kicks are usually a standard part of sparring so a very important piece of tae kwon do equipment is the head guard or head protector. These are usually white just like Tae kwon do uniforms, but the most important thing is that it’s a high quality piece of gear which is designed to efficiently absorb the impact of blows.
One piece of Tae kwon do equipment which is a necessity for sparring is a groin guard. These are similar to the cups worn by many other athletes and are worn underneath your dobok. Especially for competitions and for sparring in the Tae kwon do studio, you’ll need one of these to prevent injuries.
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.
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dobok,
korean martial art,
personal appearance,
tae kwon do equipment,
tae kwon do uniform