Gym Etiquette
From the Jay Pages Jiu Jitsu & MMA site.
*slight alterations
Here are a few basic things I want to remind all you guys of that you probably already know or should know and practice! Keep this as the holy grail of hygiene and gym etiquette!
We need to stay healthy and motivated while we are in training. This means staying healthy, and avoiding any circumstances such as injury, sickness, or skin infections! That means following a few simple things to stay clean simply having good mat manners. I also want everybody to have good gym etiquette. Please take into consideration your teammates. People don’t want to roll with people who don’t take care of basic hygiene and grooming.
Here’s a simple list of things to follow to ensure proper gym etiquette and proper gym hygiene!
- Shower BEFORE getting on to the mats. Through out your day you can pic up all types of stuff, don’t bring that into the gym. Not to mention none of your teammates want to roll with you if you have a case of the stinkies.
- Shower after rolling. Don’t wait too long to get home and wash yourself down. Using things such as tea tree oil soaps, defense soap and other such products will help. Make sure you scrub down with a washcloth, loofah or other such items to make sure you get super clean. If this doesn’t work for you, have your girlfriend hose you off in the backyard.
- Clip your nails. Cutting open people because you have sharp talons is never fun for the person on the receiving end. I have a scar right between my eyes because some jerk was too lazy to clip his nails before class.
- Don’t go off the mats, outside or in the bathroom without your shoes on. You’ll track all types of dirt and other yuck back onto the mats.
- Cover all cuts, scraps or open wounds. Nothing nastier than getting bled on. Not to mention you can get infections
- Sanitize yourself. I carry a bottle of hand sanitizer in my bag and in my car that I use after training. Wipes are also popular. Antibacterial wipes are a convenient was as well!
- Brush your teeth. Nothing is worse than getting stuck in a head and arm that’s reinforced by dragon breath.
- Wash your mouth guard. If that thing touches the mat, make sure you rinse it well before inserting it back into your mouth. Listerine kills bacteria, i like to soak my guard in it
- Wash your clothes. Once you’ve sweat and rolled around in gear, make sure you wash it. To get out oder that stays with your clothes after washing, use vinegar in the wash, it helps.
- Wash cups, sweaty towels, ankle sleeves, knee pads head gear etc. Just like any other article of clothing, you need to keep everything clean! You wouldn’t continuously wear the same rash guard without washing it right? These items should be treated no differently.
- If you are sick, stay off the mats until you’re better. No brainer right? Don’t be that guy (girl) that gets the entire team sick!
- If you have ring worm or any other skin disease that can be pass on, stay off the mats! Inspect your training partners if you think they may have something. If they do, refuse to roll with them until it has cleared up.
- Remember the people in the gym are your training partners, not your competition. Do NOT bully, spaz, try to hurt, crank or do anything else that might be hurtful both physically and mentally to your gym family. If there is a problem with a particular student, avoid rolling with them and tell me or the gym enforcer and we’ll handle it appropriately.
- Deodorants and body sprays are your friend. Now, I’m not saying you need to smell like you’re going creepin’ with The Situation and Pauly D., but if you know you have a predisposition to smelling a little “ripe,” use generously! The less abrasive you are, the more training partners will want to work with you and help you get better. I hope this helps. Feel free to add your own rules to the mix and bring them to the team’s attention at practice. Train hard, train smart, and train often! See you on the mat!
Here’s a simple list of things to follow to ensure proper gym etiquette and proper gym respect!
- Always greet your instructor and fellow team mates when entering and leaving the DOJO.
- Never question your instructor’s decisions.
- Respect and obey all instructors and black belts.
- Respect and obey all belts higher than yourself.
- Always answer your instructors with respect.
- Try to arrive 10 – 15 minutes before class (So that we can start on time and that I can give you everything possible that I can in the 2 hours I have with you guys!).
- Guests are welcome, but please introduce them to your instructors so that he/she does not get confused.
- Small children will be supervised at all times – please do not let them run around and be disruptive.
- There will be no abusive language, attitude or behaviors of any kind.
- Always come to class “Ready to Train!”
- Work hard and be encouraging to your classmates.
- If you miss your class due to illness or vacation for a period of more than one week, please notify me, so I don't worry. Cause I care.
- Keep a respectful posture on the dojo.
- Classes end with a handshake to the instructor and everyone.
- If you are late sit by the side of the mat and wait for the permission from the Instructor.
- If you need to leave the mat or leave earlier you must inform the Instructor.
- Shake hands with your partner before and after practice.
- Talking should be kept to a minimum level and should relate to the class subject.
- Absolutely no foul language inside the school.
- No Solicitation of non-sponsored academy events including ticket sales unless agreed upon by student and instructor.
- The Kimono must be washed after every practice. A dirty kimono is a sign of disrespect.
- When tying the Kimono, face the wall.
- The belt represents your progress. Keep it on.
- All metal objects, jewelry, piercing, necklace or other such items should be removed.
- No shoes, food or drink on the mat.
- Wait for a proper time to answer texts or calls during class.
- Nobody should be shirtless on the mat or out of the locker room.
- No neck cranks, knee-bars, heel hooks, slamming during takedowns or guard work.
- Work out within your physical limits.
- Have fun and never forget your goal: Black Belt Excellence!
Contact us:
Paul John Pages aka PJay
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/pagesbrothersbjjpi
Cell No. 0998-564-6101
Paul John Pages aka PJay
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/pagesbrothersbjjpi
Cell No. 0998-564-6101