Participating in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes is an effective method of enhancing one’s body fitness and self-defense techniques. A BJJ training session generally involves physical contact between the students and therefore one of the things to consider is hygiene. Because they will probably be wrestling with each other, there are possibilities of skin illness, bacterial infection, or any health concern for that matter.

1. Clean Your GI and Other Gear

The greatest possible extent of hygiene shall include the most obvious aspect of wearing clean gi as well as fresh BJJ training fa and equipment. Since your gi will be worn on most parts of your body, and especially during training, you’ll need to wear it while coming in contact with other participants, then it leaves no doubt, that bacteria will remain in that place. After each BJJ training session, it’s a must to use cleaning preparations on the gi to remove sweat and other stains to adhere to the cleaning standards.

2. Shower Before And After Training

To achieve the standard of hygiene set, bath would need to be taken before every BJJ session and once the session has been completed. A shower before class serves to reduce the amount of dirt, sweat, or bacteria on the person’s body thereby reducing the risk of those bacteria being transferred to other practitioners. A good anti-bacterial soap should be used especially in the area where there is a skin-related problem to help prevent infections.

3. The Maintenance of Nails Is Never Overlooked

Every individual needs to maintain their nails short and clean not only for themselves but also for their significant other. Training with long nails scratches/cuts many places it gets and also contains germs. For everyone’s protection, it is wise to maintain hygiene and keep them polished. After a brief period, please look out for any abnormalities and fungal problems concerning the nail plates.

4. Wear The Right Type of Footwear In Public Places

In nearly all gyms, there are swimming pools or wet areas that are highly prone to microbial and gross contamination so, flip-flops or other relieving sandals should be used in changing rooms and all other public places. This is true since, after all, not many people would like to catch an ‘athlete’s foot’. It is also better to use the training shoes only for exercising, without bringing them into the dirt and storing them together with the insides of the training mats.

5. Take Water and Food, But Not Forget

Water and food complete the categories that promote the overall enhancement of health especially the body’s immune system as well. Given that BJJ training can cause excessive sweating and flushing out of lots of water and salts, it is prudent to hydrate oneself well before, in the course, and after the training.

6. Pack Hygiene Items

Along with the clothes and training gear, if you take along the personal hygiene supplies to the gym, it would also assist in keeping you clean. For example, hand sterilizers, anti-bacterial tissues, and anti-fungal sprays would be useful as training kits. Also, if you are using the gym or fitness center where there are many users and shared bathrooms apply the hand sterilizer after using the equipment or touching the surfaces in the gym to minimize or even eliminate the spread of bacteria from one user to the next.

7. Do Not Share Personal Belongings

The tendency to extend the sharing of non-sports equipment including towels, water bottles, and grooming products, greatly heightens the risk of transferring germs and infections. Exclude all forms of sharing of items and supplies and always carry your provisions.

8. Examine Your Skin consistently

One of the most important aspects of skin care is spotting potential outbreaks of common infections and examining the skin for rashes, sores, or irritation regularly such as before and after training. If returning to training causes skin irritation and other problems like pustules or blisters arise, the person should seek medical help before stepping back on the mat.

9. Maintaining Contact with Your Training Partners

Communication is an important aspect of ensuring that active practitioners observe hygiene. Discussion on whether the two trainings should proceed in case one feels unwell or has a skin infection should be addressed. Health and safety issues should not remain the responsibility of individuals, especially in the gym environment.

10. Comply with Gym Rules and Regulations

You should never forget that cleanliness policies set up by your gym and other facilities should be respected. Lots of BJJ dojos have rules in place to encourage those practicing to observe hygiene and take care of the environment. Learn these rules and teach your peers as well. When you support the hygiene practices of your gym, it means that you are also making it safe for everyone who participates in it.

Practicing these ten hygiene tactics you will likely avert infections and promote conducive environments for training.

Learn More: How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Promotes Fitness and Well-Being