Hygiene for BJJ: 10 Do’s and Don’ts
10 Hygiene Do’s and Don’ts for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
Hygiene for BJJ is very important. We spend a lot of time very up-close and personal. When people are looking for a place to train, they should always try to take into consideration the cleanliness of the facility, instructors and students. Here are 10 ways you can make sure you are a good representative of the academy, and someone people look forward to training with.
DO: Wash your gi after every training session! Staph, ring-worm and other grubby skin infections thrive in damp, warm environments. If you have sweat in your gi, or if someone else has sweat ON your gi, it needs to be washed.
DON’T: Come to class looking like a Jurassic Park Velociraptor. Keep your nails trimmed.
DO: Wear Deodorant! Although your personal odor may not ruffle your feathers, you absolutely do not smell like a bouquet of roses.
DON’T: Come to class if you have a rash, an unfamiliar looking blotch or something that resembles a raised “O” on your skin. You should go see a doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms. The sooner you deal with the issue, the faster you can get back to training.
DO: Cover your mat-burns! For many of us, when we begin training, our skin is unaccustomed to the relentless friction burns that will undoubtedly appear on our feet, knees, elbows, fingers and sometimes foreheads. Do your best to cover these wounds with Band-Aids or gauze and then tape over the top of them. Keep your scabs and your blood to yourself as much as possible!
DON’T: Leave discarded tape, Band-Aids, gauze etc. lying around on the side of the mats after class. Be sure that you’re throwing away all your trash.
DO: Wash your belts occasionally. There are many folks who adhere to a superstition of not washing their belts, as it will most certainly wash away all their knowledge. As with your gi, your belt is made of a porous fabric that collects sweat, and whatever may lie inside that sweat or on your training partner. Weather permitting, you can dry your drenched belts outside and let the sun’s UV rays kill off some of that grime.
DON’T: Come to class if you are sick! Take your time and recover fully before coming back to class. In BJJ, contact is unavoidable, so don’t be the start of an outbreak.
DO: Freshen your breath before class! Chew some gum, brush your teeth, or carry mouthwash in your gym bag. Your training partners won’t be interested in smelling the remnants of your lunch, or morning coffee.
DON’T: Forget to wear shoes when you go to the restroom or leave the mats. If you must use the restroom, wash your hands before returning to the mats.
