arnis
Arnis is a weapons-based martial art originating in the Philippines. It belongs to the broader family of Filipino martial arts and centers its training on the use of sticks, bladed implements, and empty-hand techniques. This combination of tools is also commonly referred to under the names eskrima and kali, terms that are widely used to describe related or overlapping Filipino fighting traditions. The art addresses both armed and unarmed engagement, treating the empty hand as an extension of the same principles applied when holding a weapon.
Training in weapons-based arts of this kind generally emphasizes the handling and manipulation of handheld implements alongside coordinated body movement. Practitioners typically drill striking patterns, defensive responses, and the transitions between armed and unarmed positions. Conditioning the hands, wrists, and forearms tends to be a practical component of regular practice, given the physical demands of working with impact and edged tools over extended sessions.
Several distinct sub-styles exist within arnis, each developing the art's core principles in its own way. Modern Arnis, associated with Remy Presas, represents one such system and is among the more widely recognized approaches within this tradition. These sub-styles are covered individually in the sections below.
Styles & branches of arnis
Modern Arnis
Origin: Philippines · Type: Weapons-based · Lineage: arnis
Remy Presas' arnis system Wikipedia →
Gear to expect. Weapons-based training typically calls for the style's training weapons (always start with the school's loaners) and protective gear — your school will tell you exactly what, and when. New students rarely need to buy anything for a trial class.
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Classification and facts from our open-data taxonomy (Wikidata CC0 base + our editorial classification). Where a fact (like origin) isn't recorded, we leave it out rather than guess. Methodology.