Essential Tae Kwon Do Gear

Before signing up for a Tae Kwon Do training program stick around and learn about the essential Tae Kwon Do gear you'll need to acquire. Tae Kwon Do is an ancient martial art developed in Korea as the native inhabitants of the peninsula protected themselves against invaders. To develop mastery in the sport can take years of effort, but the flexibility, strength and ability developed the sport is well worth the effort.

1. Tae Kwon Do Uniform. The Tae Kwon Do uniform is the most ubiquitous and recognizable uniform in the martial arts. With a white V neck tunic, loose white pants, and a belt wrapped and tied at the waist, this is the most essential Tae Kwon Do gear you’ll need.
2. Mouth Guard. When you begin your Tae Kwon Do study you’ll learn one, two and three-step sparring that does not need a mouth guard. As you advance you will free-form spar with a partner. At that point an excellent mouth guard will become your most prized and essential Tie Kwon Do gear in your collection.
3. Head Guard. Yes, we are going in order of most essential Tae Kwon Do gear. After not breaking your teeth, you’ll want to protect your nut. Get a good foam dipped head guard for your training so you don’t get busted up.
4. Groin Protector. Speaking of legumes, nuts and seeds, you’ll want this essential piece of Tae Kwon do gear. Kicking below the belt is against the rules, but when you get kicked there you’ll want to be standing when you chew the other guy out.
5. Chest Protector. Because Tae Kwon Do has so many kicks which carry the most power of any strike, a chest protector becomes an essential piece of equipment, especially as you spar with better and better athletes.
6. Kick Guards. Did we say kicks carry the most power? You’ll want some pads on your shins when you connect hard with someone else’s bone. These guards become essential the more you get into your training.
7. Punch Protectors. Just like kick guards, you’ll want to protect the small bones in your fingers and wrists. Punch protectors are foam mitts that strap over your fist and forearm, but still allow your hands to deliver both open hand and fist strikes to your opponent.
8. Tae Kwon Do Shoes. When you watch Olympic Tae Kwon Do practitioners you’ll see they wear shoes that protect the upper arch of the foot in kicks such as the roundhouse. These shoes are great for training unless your instructor requires you to train barefoot on the mat.
9. Kicking Targets. A kicking target is essential when you begin training strikes to hit an opponent. This is is a pad with a handle on the bottom. Your partner holds the handle with the pad sticking up, then you can deliver roundhouse, wheel kicks and a barrage of hand strikes to the pad.
10. Heavy Bag. The most essential piece of gear for any martial arts practitioner, the heavy bag originated in boxing. Hoist one of these up in your garage and you’ve got the perfect training partner to practice your technique.