1. Come to class in properly washed and dried training clothes\gear – Putting on a gi that was not properly washed and dried is quite risky to you and your training partners. Aside from smelling funky, it is a sure carrier of bacteria. If you regularly train in such, you may develop a staph infection, MRSA infection, or ringworm, which your training partners may also acquire.
2. Trim finger and toe nails regularly!!!!! – Before coming to class, make sure you trimmed your finger and toe nails short, regardless whether you’re a man or a woman. You can cut your partner’s skin and eyes with your long nails when you train. You may also injure yourself when they get caught on your partner or the mats.
3. Do not train when sick – Martial arts encourage us to develop better body awareness. Applying that growing awareness can make us more responsible martial artists and more courteous training partners. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and what’s happening in your body. If you have symptoms of an illness, it’s time to take a sick day. You should also take time off and see a doctor if you have a rash or any unfamiliar skin issues. Ringworm, staph, and athlete’s foot can spread through a gym very quickly, so it’s important to stay on top of any potential signs.
In general, it’s never wise to try to push or power through martial arts training when you’re not well. Not only will you feel worse, but you’ll also risk the wellbeing of your training partners. So let’s all take care of ourselves and each other by practicing our hygiene as seriously as we practice our martial arts!
4. Freshen breath before coming to class – Your training partner doesn’t need to know that you had grilled garlic salmon for lunch or garlic chicken for dinner. Before training make sure you have brushed your teeth or used mouthwash.
5. Do not go the restroom barefooted – If going off the mats to go to the restroom, you need to have footwear\sandals on, most especially if you are going back to the mats. No matter how clean our gym floor is, tons of bacteria are on it.
6. Take a shower before/after class – Taking a shower after class is important as it lessens chances of you incurring skin diseases, plus it prevents you from smelling like a gym rat. If you’ve been working a manual labor job or you’ve been sweating, take a shower before class as well. A regular shower is a great habit and you’ll feel great once you’re done. Hygiene is for all the time.
7. Tie your hair back if it is long – Sporting a long hair is accepted in jiu-jitsu. Many women practitioners have long hair and some men as well. But if you have long hair, just make sure you tie it back so it will not go in your and partner’s way while sparring. If you can braid your hair and tie it back, that would be better.
8. Do not train wearing jewelry – Before going to the mats, remove your ring, earrings, necklace, anklet or any other jewelry. Being fashionable will not award you points! Wearing jewelry while training also puts you and your partners at risk as it could result in cuts.
9. Wear deodorant before coming to class – Your partner’s face will probably be close to your armpit while training. Save your reputation for good personal hygiene, always wear deodorant before going to class.
10. Properly wrap any cuts with tape – If you have minor cuts, you can still go train but make sure to wrap them good with durable medical/athletic tape. You don’t want your cuts to get worse by getting infected with bacteria.
Be on time to class – On time means early, plan to arrive atleast 10 minutes before class starts to change, stretch, warmup. Its disrespectful to the instructors and your training partners when late.
Clean your gear regularly.
Gloves, headgear, shing uards, and other protective gear should also be air dried after martial arts training. Once dry, wipe your training and sparring gear down or wash them with the appropriate cleaning products. Be sure to rinse your mouthguard and case regularly, too! And don’t forget to clean your gear bag itself. Good martial arts training gear hygiene will also help to prevent the spread of germs and odor, which will keep you and your training partners feeling and smelling better.
Leave your ego at the door – you’re not in competition with anyone but yourself
Be consistent – Life will always get in the way, don’t let it sideline your training goals
Support other members\partners – Your training partners safety should be your top priority, as yours is theirs, help push each other but not to the point of injuries.
