My first response would be to look elsewhere if you are really interested in the FMA's. Why?
You've got to test the tools.
Anyone who remembers me from the earlier days here knows I'm an advocate of full contact, real stick, minimal gear sparring. There is no way you will ever figure out what will really work, and work for you personally if you don't get out there and test it out in real time. Heavy armor tends to breed bad habits. As my guys always hear me say: "Pain is a good corrector of bad habits". basically meaning that if you aren't feeling the feedback through that heavy armor, how are you going to know what mistakes you are making? I've seen too many people wade into shots to get into corto range, not knowing they got hit, or respecting the shots since they don't really feel them. Take off that armor and watch how their technique and tactics change. You're not going to wade in and absorb that shot to your head, collarbone, or hands (or that trusty thrust to the chest/midsection) without it. When you're dealing with weapons, edged weapons esp, you can't afford to stand toe to toe and exchange blows. You have to train to hit with out being hit. And nothing will get you to move more then knowing what it feels like to get hit for real. To me, two guys with heavy armor standing toe to toe whacking away at each other paints a picture of something seriously wrong.
Now, with that being said, I don't make everyone jump right in to full contact minimal gear sparring. But I will gradually work people toward that goal. As I said, you've got to test the tools. I will let them use hockey helmets (since you'll still know you got your bell rung from a head shot), shin & forearm guards, gloves and cups. I used to have some modified motorcycle helmets for beginners but I've stopped using them in favor of the modified hockey helmets. Eventually I like to work them in fencing masks, street hockey/batting gloves (or bare handed), and cups. No heavy Michelin man suits or leather shrouds.
"But William, what about injuries?"
I'm glad you asked, we have yet to have any serious injuries. Bruises, welts, abrasions, and some cuts happen, but nothing serious. You might occasionall see stars as well.
The bottom line with my guys is that we are a family and we want to be able to come back and train the next day. It's not about killing each other, but walking that fine line between training as realistically as possible, and minimizing serious injuries.
So again, I would say move on to something else.
William