Hygiene in Jiu Jitsu
WASH AND PROPERLY DRY YOUR GI
Every time! It is crucial for your own self hygiene, and the hygiene of your training partners, that your BJJ gear is always clean. Waiting until the next day or next laundry load to wash your gear might cause certain odors and bacteria to linger post wash. This includes belts!
A couple of tips for washing your GI:
Wash immediately after training session for a cleaner result.
Scrub stains such as dirt and blood off with dish soap and cold water before washing.
Always wash in cold water, and hang dry. (Driers and Direct Sun will shrink your Gi)
If there is a lingering smell is after the wash, soak Gi for 1-2 hours in a mixture of baking soda, distilled vinegar and a small amount of laundry detergent. Proceed to wash again.
Turn your GI inside out to prevent damage and preserve colors.
Wash same color GIs together to prevent staining your white Gis.
Hands and Toes
Have you ever finished a roll or training session with a mysterious scratch or cut? This is the result of someone who forgot to trim their nails. It is crucial that for this contact sport that we avoid these type of injuries by properly trimming our nails, on our hands and our feet.
Tips for trimming nails:
Make sure to not trim your nails too close to your fingers. Gripping from training may cause discomfort and bleeding.
Trim your nails in a nice round curve. Leaving rugged or sharp edges on your nails can still scratch someone.
Do Not Come To Class Sick!
Do not venture out and come to class if you are not feeling well. Whether it is a headache, a mild cough, or you are showing any other cold or flu like symptoms, make sure to stay home and rest. As the pandemic continues, any flu like symptoms should call for a Covid-19 test in order to prevent spread, and for peace of mind. If you do test positive for Covid-19, make sure to alert your instructor and teammates regarding the results. If a student has found to be tested positive, they will be quarantined from the school for a minimum of 14 days. A negative Covid-19 test will be required before re-entry.
Tips for dealing with symptoms:
Stay home if you have any flu like symptom. Fevers and Headaches should be monitored closely.
Do not come to class if you are coughing. The last thing anyone wants is to be coughed on while training.
Inform your teammates and instructors of any Positive Covid-19 tests, flu-like symptoms and/or potential health concerns.
A negative Covid-19 test will be required before re-entry.
Footwear and Shoe Policy
One of the biggest no-nos in any martial art gym, is stepping on the mats with your shoes on. Mats are meant to be walked on barefoot only (with the exception of wrestling shoes). Footwear is required outside of the mat space, especially in the bathroom. When you go to the bathroom barefoot, you are bringing everything that’s lingering on the floor near the toilet, back to the mats. No one wants that.
Tips for proper footwear in the gym:
No shoes on the mat! (With exception of wrestling shoes)
Always try to bring a pair of sandals, sliders or flip-flops to the gym for easy access.
Leave your footwear mat-side.
Always take your gym footwear to the bathroom, even if just to wash your hands.
Always Clean The Mats!
Make sure to always volunteer to clean the mats after you are done training. Clean mats will allow for a clean training environment. A special solution is used at the gym to clean and sanitize the mats for continuous training.
Tips for cleaning the mats:
Make sure the mop is clean and doesn’t smell before cleaning the mats.
If the map smells bad, change it with a clean one and proceed to clean.
Spray enough solution on the mats to cover them, and spread and clean evenly with the mop.
Once done, hang the mop upside down by the front area so it can dry.
