Buying for someone who trains is harder than it looks. Most martial artists already have more wraps, gloves and water bottles than they need, and kit that is the wrong size or the wrong style ends up in a cupboard. I have been training since 1989, and these are the things I would point a friend or family member towards. Some come from the club’s Etsy shop, TrackAndTrainStudio, and some do not. I will say which is which.
Start with what they actually do
Before you buy anything, find out what they train and where. Wing Chun, karate, boxing and jiu-jitsu students all have different needs, and many clubs have their own uniform or approved kit. If you are not sure, ask their instructor or a training partner. We are always happy to answer that sort of question at our club.
1. Wall art for the training space or home gym
A good print is a gift that does not need a size or a password. The posters in the shop are designs of my own. They are printed to order and posted by our print partner, and you can choose print only or framed. There is a wide range of sizes, from A5 up to A1 plus common inch sizes, and you can message the shop about a custom size.
For someone who trains Wing Chun, the obvious one is the Wing Chun Centreline Kung Fu Poster, an ink-brush stance with the calligraphy 中線平衡, “Centreline Balance”. If they like Chinese mythology, the Qilin poster in teal and gold is the shop’s best seller, and the Mythical Beasts Trio (Qilin, Bai Ze and Xiezhi) is a set of three made to hang together. For something quieter, there are minimal ink-wash designs such as the Ink Martial Arts Poster. You can see the lot on our Posters and Gifts page.
2. A training log
Every student says they will remember what they drilled in class, and most of us do not. The Martial Arts Training Log is a Notion template, sold as an instant digital download with a PDF setup guide. It has a quick-log journal for each session, a technique library, a log for partner work and a goals and recovery tracker. It needs a free Notion account, so it suits someone who is happy keeping notes on their phone. If they would rather use a paper notebook, a notebook is a perfectly good gift too. The same template, called the Martial Arts Progress Hub, is also in the shop on this site.
3. Something to wear
Clothing is the riskiest gift because of sizing, but it is also the one people wear. The Etsy shop has the Wing Chun Biomechanical Blueprint Heavyweight Tee, with a red Wing Chun seal on the chest and a centreline alignment diagram on the back, in a relaxed unisex fit. There is also the Ink Wash Pagoda and Plum Blossom Hoodie. It runs small, so order one size up. If the person trains with us, ask in class about club apparel, and our own apparel range is in the shop on this site.
4. A book
I wrote Taking the Martial, and the details are on its page. I am biased, of course, but a book is an easy gift for someone who likes to read about the thinking behind training.
5. Online practice
The Halesowen Wing Chun Digital Academy on Skool has a structured syllabus from White Sash to Chum Kiu, and a 7-day free trial. Memberships are set up by the person who joins, and prices are shown in US dollars only, so I would treat it as a suggestion with the trial link rather than something to wrap. Details are on our Learn Wing Chun Online page.
6. A pair or a set for the wall
If you are buying for a couple, or for someone who has everything, a set can work better than a single print. The Dragon and Phoenix Poster Set of 2 is two posters made to hang side by side, and in Chinese tradition the pair often go together. I have written about the story behind the dragon and the phoenix if you are curious, and a guide to hanging wall art in a training space.
Practical tips before you order
- Posters are printed to order, so check the delivery estimate on the listing rather than assuming.
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang. If they already have frames, choose print only in the right size.
- Skip protective gear unless you know the size and what their club allows.
- For something instant, the training log is a digital download with no postage.
I also wrote a shorter list aimed at Wing Chun students in particular. And if the person you are shopping for has been thinking about starting, book your free trial class and come and see how we train, Monday to Friday evenings.
Sifu Alan Bagley, Wing Chun Halesowen
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