What Equipment Do I Need?

Nothing actually. For your first class, you'd be best turning up in some track-suit bottoms and a loose fitting t-shirt. This will do just fine for the basic techniques you'll be learning to start with.

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What's This Kimono Thing?

If you find that Jujitsu is for you, and you wish to carry on, you'll want to buy your own Kimono (or Gi). Many clubs will even supply these for free when you sign-up.

The Kimono is important since it allows you and your training partner to take advantage of being able to grab sleeves and legs for specific techniques.

For some hard grabs and pulls, a standard Jujitsu/Karate Gi may not be strong enough. At this point you may wish to opt for a Judo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi. These are much stronger and you'll certainly struggle to tear these at all.

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Okay, But What If I want To Spar?

Sparring is when you face an opponent for a fight (don't worry, it's only light or semi-contact to start with), either just striking, or just ground-fighting, or even both, including throws.

If you want to 'spar', you'll need some gloves and maybe some feet-protectors. For sport Jujitsu these are usually simply foam hand protectors and feet protectors, just to ensure there's no accidental damage done.

For full-contact standing sparring, you may want to use some proper boxing gloves and the same feet-protectors.

Some people wish to train ground-fighting but with their opponent trying to strike to stop them getting the techniques they're going after. For this, either your partner can wear boxing gloves, or you could both opt for some finger-less sparring gloves, as seen in the UFC and/or Pride.

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I Want My Own Weapons!

As with sparring equipment, most clubs will have many different weapons to train with, so you shouldn't need to buy your own.

However, if you wish to have your own, there are many outlets available from specialist martial arts shops on the high-street, to some professional Internet shops.

Always bear in mind however, the laws in different countries may restrict what weapons you can own, and even how you can take them to a class.

Walking down the street with a pair of Nunchucks and a Ninja star may raise a few eye-brows!

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