Hygiene: One of the Most Important Parts of Training

Hygiene: One of the Most Important Parts of Training

In martial arts and fitness, we talk a lot about discipline, effort, and showing up.

But there’s another part of training that’s just as important:

Good hygiene.

It protects you, your training partners, and the entire community.

Jim Rohn said something that fits perfectly here:

“I’ll take care of me for you, if you take care of you for me.”

That’s the mindset we need in the gym and on the mats.

Hygiene.

Good hygiene isn’t optional — it’s a sign of respect.

Respect for yourself.

Respect for your training partners.

Respect for the space we all share.

On the mats, we’re in close contact. We sweat, we roll, we hold pads, we train side by side.

That means the choices each person makes about cleanliness affect *everyone* in the room.

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1. Keep Your Nails Trimmed

Long fingernails and toenails are dangerous, even if you don’t realize it.

They can:

* Scratch someone’s skin

* Cut through a gi or rashguard

* Cause infections

* Ruin someone’s training week

Keeping your nails short is one of the simplest but most important habits in martial arts.

Think of it like putting on your seatbelt — small action, big impact.

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2. Cover Any Cuts or Scratches

Training with an open cut isn’t safe — not for you and not for your partners.

If you have:

* A scratch

* A scrape

* A blister

* A small wound

Cover it properly before stepping onto the mats.

Bandage it. Tape it. Wrap it.

If it can’t be covered safely, then sit out until it heals.

One class missed is better than infecting yourself or someone else.

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3. Clean Uniforms and Clean Gear

Your gi, rashguard, shorts, gloves, and shin guards should be washed after every use. Not “when you remember.” Not “if they don’t smell too bad.”

Every single use.

Why?

Because sweat carries bacteria.

Dirty gear spreads it.

And mats + bacteria = problems.

Clean gear also shows your partner that you care about the experience *they’re* having.

Nobody wants to roll with a gi that smells like a forgotten gym bag from last month.

Take pride in your uniform — it represents you and the team.

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4. If You’re Sick… Stay Home

This is one of the biggest ways we protect each other.

If you’re feeling:

* Feverish

* Congested

* Coughing

* Contagious

* Run down

Don’t train.

You’re not “being tough.”

You’re risking the whole room.

Rest. Recover. Come back stronger.

The mats will still be here.

Part of being a good teammate is knowing when to show up…

and when not to.

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5. Clean Body, Clean Mind, Clean Culture

The cleaner you are, the more confident you feel.

The more your teammates can trust you.

And the healthier, safer, and more welcoming the environment becomes.

The Importance of Being Clean Before You Train

A quick shower before class — especially if you’re coming from work, school, or another workout — is a game changer.

It:

Prevents odors

Reduces bacteria

Shows respect for your partners

Helps protect skin health for everyone

Clean body, clean mind, clean rolls.

We’re a Community — Let’s Protect Each Other

6. No Bare Feet Off the Mats

The rule is simple:

Bare feet ON the mats

Socks or flip-flops OFF the mats

Walking around barefoot in the bathroom or lobby and then stepping onto the mats is one of the fastest ways to bring bacteria where it shouldn’t be.

Treat the mats like your home.

You wouldn’t walk through a public bathroom and then jump on your bed with the same feet.

Keep it clean. Keep it safe.

Good hygiene isn’t about rules, strictness, or perfection.

It’s about respect.

Respect for the mats.

Respect for the room.

Respect for the people trusting you enough to train with you.

It comes back to Jim Rohn’s message:

“I’ll take care of me for you, if you take care of you for me.”

That’s how we train safer, healthier, and longer.

That’s how we build a strong Watson Training Fitness community.

That’s how everyone gets better

This is how you build a real team.

Not just by drilling moves — but by taking care of one another.

That’s what a training community is.

We all do our part so the whole room can grow.

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Final Thought

The training room is a shared space, and shared spaces only work when everyone contributes to keeping them safe, clean, and respectful.

Trim your nails.

Cover your cuts.

Wash your gear.

Shower after training.

And if you’re sick, stay home so you can heal — and so your teammates don’t get set back.

Bare feet ON the mats, Socks or flip-flops OFF the mats

These habits make you a better athlete, a better teammate, and a better member of the Watson Training Fitness family.

Take care of yourself so we can all take care of each other.

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Coach / Professor James

Coachjames@watsonfitness.net

Watsonfitness.net