Hygiene

I know I should not have to talk about this, but we are here now. Since I was a kid I remember seeing the old “Good Hygiene” posters from Armbar Soap Co. in gyms, but now I don’t really see much other than just educating the members by word of mouth typically. Thats all good, but when people first join they have no clue what is a good hygiene routine for jiu jitsu or combat sports. The risk for skin infections and other illnesses dramatically increase when we are in close contact with others, for example grappling sports. The main idea is to consistently continue to practice and follow a good hygiene routine.

1. Clothes/Gear

   • Don’t be delusional and wash your belt with your gi (if you do gi). Your belt along with your gi are obsorbing sweat and are rolling on the mat. Even though your gym might have clean mats you still wash your gi because its sweaty and smelly, so do the same for your belt (it’s ok if you lose your super powers).

   • You don’t need to soak your clothes in apple cider vinegar. I typically gather my clothes in a laundry bag outside (to avoid odors indoors) and wash my training clothes all together at the end of the week. I mainly train no gi so i do not put my clothes in the dryer and hang dry my clothes after washing them in the washing machine.

     • If you soak your clothes in apple cider vinegar, make sure to do it correctly. I do not have tips on this as I do not do this, but I have trained with people that do so. Some people do it correctly in the senes that I cannot smell the apple cider vinegar when training with them, but I have trained with many people where I just cannot roll with them because they just smell like vinegar. So just make sure to do research and to know how to do it correctly, if not your going to smell like a subway sandwich that has sat out for too long.

   • One key tip for after training until you get home to put your clothes in your laundry bag, is to use a dry bag. These can be super cheap or super expensive but last a long time. I usual go to Amazon and buy the cheaper ones since it is just to keep my clothes from sweating in my backpack.

     • Dry Bag Amazon Link $11.99 USD

   • If you use braces, bands for smart watches, or anything else that is worn and being used in training, wash them also after every training session. The amount of smelly knee braces and things of that nature I have encountered is actually insane. If you need to purchase extra braces or extra items of equipment if it will need to be washed after every training session, for example gi’s or knee braces.

     • For my whoop band I wear when training I have two extras I purchased, and when I use one band I take it in the shower with me after training and wash it by hand to ensure it is not damaged and to ensure it does not give me or anyone else ringworm.

   2. Clean Yourself

   • Please wash yourself as soon as you get home :), thank you. I am not saying to speed home and to ignore your loved ones when getting home after training. When your done with training and get home decompress and say hi to your loved ones and ask about their day if you have not seen them, but ensure to shower shortly after getting home. Don’t sit down and eat dinner or your next meal. Shower first, and then enjoy your meal and relax with your loved ones.

     • I like to keep a towel in the car incase I forget a change of clothes and also if I am just too sweaty after changing. This is to ensure I do not contaminate my car with the germs and sweat on my body. If you sit in the car everyday and with your sweat clothes or just cover the seat in sweat, you can put yourself at risk to getting ringworm or even staph. The car seat will soak up all the sweat like your clothes and will get gross and nasty.

     • Using antifungal wipes are also a tool I like to use to ensure I don’t get ringworm on loner car rides home or after competitions also.

       • Defense Body Wipes Amazon Link 2-pack $26.99 USD

   • Key Tip: Try not to shower before practice, but if you need to make sure to only use shampoo on the important spots like armpits and groin. The reason for this is to clean yourself yes, but we are not wanting to wash away all the good bacteria on the skin. Doing so can make you more susceptible to contracting a skin infection.

   • Make sure to brush your teeth, and to wear deodorant. No one wants a smelly training partner and no one wants to be the odd man out because of this.

   3. Being Proactive

   • Making sure to include some for of probiotic is very helpful in preventing skin infections. Greek yogurt or daily supplements are very helpful and help prevent skin infections such as ringworm.

     • For the probiotic supplement I do not take any as I prefer to have greek yogurt instead.

   • The body wipes referenced above are also a key too I like to use daily, especially if I have back to back training sessions or go to the gym after training.