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 jewelry

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!