Florida Aikido Center
Equipment...
An Aikido gi and hakama
For class, students at the Florida Aikido Center typically wear a plain white gi (exercise uniform) with a white belt. It typically doesn’t matter what “style” of gi is worn, but the thicker Jūdo or Hapkido-style gi is preferred because it is thicker and has reinforced sections specifically for grappling.
Some of our students do wear white Karatē style uniforms, and this is perfectly fine. We do recommend against Kung Fu or Tai Chi-style uniforms as they are typically very thin and often have buttons or ornamentation that can get snagged during training.
If you don’t have a gi yet and wish to attend class, feel free to wear something comfortable and loose fitting that you don't mind getting sweaty in (like as a plain t-shirt and sweatpants).
Eventually, you can purchase and wear a hakama (traditional samurai-style pleated pants) during class. The cost of a hakama typically starts around $120, so fortunately you are not required to wear a hakama until you get further up in rank.
We have plenty of jo, bokken and other weapons readily available for class at the dojo. But, you will probably want to eventually purchase your own training weapons for practice.
Uniforms and training weapons are available online from several sources or at Wolfpack Martial Arts Supply Store off of Busch Blvd. in Tampa. You may also check our Resources section for links to reliable online equipment vendors.
Some of our students do wear white Karatē style uniforms, and this is perfectly fine. We do recommend against Kung Fu or Tai Chi-style uniforms as they are typically very thin and often have buttons or ornamentation that can get snagged during training.
If you don’t have a gi yet and wish to attend class, feel free to wear something comfortable and loose fitting that you don't mind getting sweaty in (like as a plain t-shirt and sweatpants).
Eventually, you can purchase and wear a hakama (traditional samurai-style pleated pants) during class. The cost of a hakama typically starts around $120, so fortunately you are not required to wear a hakama until you get further up in rank.
We have plenty of jo, bokken and other weapons readily available for class at the dojo. But, you will probably want to eventually purchase your own training weapons for practice.
Uniforms and training weapons are available online from several sources or at Wolfpack Martial Arts Supply Store off of Busch Blvd. in Tampa. You may also check our Resources section for links to reliable online equipment vendors.
Weapons...
Sensei Gina demonstrates techniques with the Jo
Even though Aikido is a defensive martial art, we do practice the use of several traditional Japanese weapons.
This has largely to do with Aikido’s origin in Japanese sword fighting, but also reflects the Budo (warrior’s way) aspect of the art.
The weapons used in Aikido include the…
Jo (joe) – a 4-foot wooden staff traditionally used as a walking stick by monks and samurai.
Bōkken (boe-ken) – a Japanese long sword carved out of wood.
Shinai (shin-eye) – a practice sword made out of strips of bamboo tied and wrapped together.
Katana (kaa-taa-naa) – the traditional Japanese long sword or “samurai sword.”
Tánto (taan-toe) – a traditional Japanese dagger.
This has largely to do with Aikido’s origin in Japanese sword fighting, but also reflects the Budo (warrior’s way) aspect of the art.
The weapons used in Aikido include the…
Jo (joe) – a 4-foot wooden staff traditionally used as a walking stick by monks and samurai.
Bōkken (boe-ken) – a Japanese long sword carved out of wood.
Shinai (shin-eye) – a practice sword made out of strips of bamboo tied and wrapped together.
Katana (kaa-taa-naa) – the traditional Japanese long sword or “samurai sword.”
Tánto (taan-toe) – a traditional Japanese dagger.