TOP 10 RULES FOR HYGIENE IN THE MARTIAL ARTS GYM
Staying clean is staying healthy for both you and your partner!
Cleanliness and personal hygiene are an often overlooked aspect in martial arts. Not only is proper hygiene a reflection of your dedication to training and the respect for your school but, it is also important for your personal health and the health of your training partners. These tips are important for both pre and post workout!
Having proper personal hygiene is crucial because it not only teaches discipline, it also affects your health and those around you. In the martial arts, you are constantly in close proximity to other training partners and teachers. You are coming into physical contact during training, so having bad hygiene includes unwashed clothing or gear and not taking precautions against your own body’s cleanliness and is inconsiderate to your partner or teacher.
Bad hygiene also has health risks. Being in such close proximity to training partners when you have a cold, skin infection or health problem of some sort spreads illness quickly. Your problem now becomes theirs and that is something that something much more than disrespectful, it becomes a risk for infection.
Your main concern as a martial artist isn’t just your punches and kicks but, also the safety of those around you. You must always be aware and thoughtful about your training partners and your teachers. You need to have the proper self-discipline and respect of yourself and your Academy. You can do this by taking care of your body and your training equipment. It is not only your responsibility but, also your duty as a student and training partner in the martial arts.
If you don’t want to become a breeding ground for bacteria and put your reputation for good hygiene in limbo, you will want to follow these simple yet effective tips:
1. Wash your Uniform
Come to class in properly washed and dried Gi/Uniform – 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 roll in such Gi, you may develop a staph infection, MRSA infection, or ringworm, which your training partners may also acquire. You can also solve this by having several uniforms so it’s easy to rotate them and you don’t have to worry about wearing an unclean or wet uniform.
2. Trim your fingernails
Trim finger and toenails regularly!!!!! – Before coming to class, make sure you trimmed your finger and toenails 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 up by your partner’s Gi. Check your nails before every class as they grow quickly.
3. Don’t train when sick
Do not roll when sick – There’s a big difference between being dedicated to your training and being a complete jerk. When sick, do your training partners a favour: don’t come to class until fully recovered. A sick training partner is a poor training partner. Rest up and get back to training when you’re feeling better. A couple of days off won’t kill you.
4. Fresh Breath
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 putting your uniform on, make sure you have brushed your teeth or used mouthwash. It doesn’t take much time or effort and trust me your partner will appreciate the effort especially for those instances where you’re up close and personal.
5. No bare feet off the mat
Do not go the restroom barefooted – If going off the mats to go to the bathroom, you need to have your footwear on, most especially if you are going back to the mats. No matter how clean looking your gym floor is, tons of bacteria are on it. Any time your go off the mat put footwear on, anytime you go back onto the mat wipe your feet. Most gyms will also have hand sanitiser by the mat, clean your hands as well, even though have already washed them in the bathroom.
6. Take a shower
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 labour 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. Get into good habits. At Kings we use and recommend
Full Guard Hair and Body Wash.
7. Tie your hair back
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. Again, it’s for yours and your partners benefit. When tied back not only will it stay out of your partners face, but it will also prevent them kneeling on it in grappling situations. It’s about safety and hygiene!
8. Don’t wear jewellery
Do not roll wearing jewellery – Before going to the mats, remove your ring, earrings, necklace, anklet, or any other jewellery. Being fashionable will not award you points. Wearing jewellery while training also puts you and your partners at risk as it could result in cuts. Taking off jewellery will look after your training partner as well as make sure you don’t damage or lose it either. This includes wedding rings and the like. If you injure a finger while wearing a ring, you’ll end up having to choose whether to cut the ring or finger off. Don’t get caught having to make that decision.
9. Wear deodorant
Wear deodorant before coming to class – Your partner’s face will definitely be close to your armpit while rolling at some point. If you’re doing Muay Thai you could end up in an uncomfortable Thai Clinch. Save your reputation for good personal hygiene, always wear deodorant before going to class. It takes a second but the appreciation lasts a lifetime.
10. Wrap your injuries
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. This keeps you healthy and in the long run also keeps your training partners healthy. It seems obvious but you’d be surprised how many people don’t tape up minor cuts and end up bleeding on their training partners. Don’t be one of those training partners. Cover your injuries and keep them to yourself!
There are more items for this list, but the rule of the thumb is: be sensitive to your training partners. You have reasons why you are doing Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, etc and getting skin problems or injuries and getting your training partners infected should never be among them. It is never bad to take your training hygiene seriously. Train clean. Train good.
None of This Should Scare You!
It is important to know this isn’t to discourage training or to scare parents or students but, it is just reality. Bumps, bruises, scratches and injuries are all unavoidable when participating in any athletic pursuit, especially a combat sport like the martial arts. However, problems caused by bad hygiene are easily avoidable and maintaining good hygiene habits should be as much a part of your training as throwing a punch, kick or rolling for that rear naked choke.
Remember…
Being aware of personal hygiene and the condition of your training equipment is more than just beneficial to your health and those around you. It is beneficial for personal development too. Good hygiene teaches self-discipline, self-awareness, respect, and dedication. Teaching good hygiene also teaches one to care about themselves, their property, their training partners, their Coach, and their Academy.
And Finally…
Being a martial artist permeates to all parts of someone’s life, not just physical ones. Training martial arts becomes a lifestyle and teaches lessons outside of self-defence and fitness. Making sure you are aware of yourself and aware of how your actions affect others, is needed to succeed.
FULLGUARD is a convenient 2-in-1 hair and body wash specifically formulated for martial artists, grapplers and elite athletes and should be used daily.
It uses the ingredients eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint oils to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed after a hot, sweaty workout.
DON’T BE SIDELINED FOR BEING DIRTY!
You can purchase it at Kings Academy for $19. You can get up to 2 months of washes with it.
Kings Academy of Martial Arts is the Premier Martial Arts Academy servicing Liverpool and the Greater Western Sydney region with classes in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
