Being a combat sport and martial art, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu involves a high degree of physical contact. So if you’ve ever rolled with a person that doesn’t take care of their personal hygiene, then you know just how painful that physical contact is… And not because of their pressure passing, submissions, or anything similar.
If you don’t want to be that person yourself, then you need to take care of the following basics of personal hygiene! They are easy to do and you’ll be a class act for following through with them.
#1 PERSONAL HYGIENE TIP: SHOWER BEFORE AND AFTER TRAINING
If you had a busy day before training, then make sure to shower before you step on those mats. The sweat that accumulates and sticks to your body can leave behind an extremely nasty odor; one that will make your training partners tap out before you attempt any submission.
It’s also vital that you shower immediately after training as well. Not so much because of the smell in this case (you’re not going to smell on the mats, after all), but because of the possible skin infections. You can minimize the chances of infections such as ringworm from happening if only you shower regularly after class.
TRIM YOUR FINGERNAILS AND TOENAILS
One of the most disgusting feelings in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that of your training partner’s fingernails or toenails scratching, ripping through the surface of your skin… Leaving behind a scar or even a blood trail. Plus, it’s not just disgusting; if there’s dirt under those nails, the chances of contracting an infection and staying off the mats for some time will increase drastically.
So, to keep your training partners safe, trim your fingernails and toenails regularly. This won’t take too much time out of your day, and it’ll help heaps in keeping everyone healthy.
NO WALKING BAREFOOT OFF THE MATS…
… Especially not when you go to the bathroom. Sure, it sounds ridiculous to most, but you’d be surprised by how many Jiujiteiros have a nasty habit of walking barefoot off the mats – even when going to the nearby toilet.
It’s unnecessary to discuss the level of nausea that the thought of this instigates; as well as the heightened possibility of bacterial superinfection making its presence known. Just make sure that your flip-flops are on.
WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH
Brushing your teeth is a crucial component of personal hygiene regardless of your Jiu Jitsu practice, so let’s assume that you brush them regularly anyway. However, if you’ve eaten just before a training session, then you have to bring a toothbrush to training and brush your teeth beforehand.
Also, if at all possible, don’t eat spicy food just before training. Not just because of the possible I-hope-no-one-starts-a-Knee-On-Belly situation; but also because none of your training partners want to smell that cheeseburger when you’re mounting them.
WASH YOUR GI AND WEAR A RASHGUARD
The last two basic personal hygiene tips don’t have a lot to do with how „you“ are, but with the stuff that you wear. First of all, wash your Gi (and belt) after each training session. There’s not much point if you shower regularly, but your Gi stinks. So make sure that’s accounted for.
And secondly, wear a rashguard. Wear it under your Gi and wear it when it’s a NoGi session alike. Both of these will help further minimize the chances of you contracting (and spreading) skin conditions and infections to your training partners.
Do your part to keep Brazilian Jiu Jitsu both fun and healthy. It’s not that hard to do.
