BJJ for Germaphobe
- Thread starter Mufasa
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Not to sound dismissive but if you're really a germaphobe then this probably isn't the hobby for you. You'll be in close contact with people of varying degrees of cleanliness, lots of sweat, occasional blood, hair, etc etc.
You can always try it out and see if that stuff bothers you. As for infections, after 4 years I've never had one and I don't think anyone in my gym has either (that I know about). So that's probably the least of your concerns.
You can always try it out and see if that stuff bothers you. As for infections, after 4 years I've never had one and I don't think anyone in my gym has either (that I know about). So that's probably the least of your concerns.
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Everything in the world is quite disgusting and dirty. I would say just take the steps to find a gym that ensures cleanliness. Make sure they have proper mat cleaning. Make sure that you are take proper measures to be clean (e.g. washing your gear, showering ASAP with products that prevent skin infections) and making sure your partners are clean. I won't roll with people that are potentially dirty. I have stopped mid roll when I found people too foul smelling. I have pointed out skin bumps to people who didn't realize or refused to acknowledge it as anything. I just stop training with them. Unfortunately, you will get the sweat of others on you. Hairs in your mouth, peoples dirty feet that hit you in the face and etc. I have been training over the last 10 years and experienced 1 skin infection and 1 eye infection. It is unfortunately a close contact art.
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This is the answer.
Just keep in mind that you'll probably have to train with guys with less-than-desirable hygiene, and unfortunately, you'll probably be getting smashed by them during your formative years. I don't want to you run away without trying, but its a part of the sport. A good shower and clean clothes fixes all that (most of the time).
AZ BJJ
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I don't think anyone likes getting other people's nastiness on them. It's just unavoidable. I've had dude's sweat drip in my eyes, I've had hair (not mine) in my mouth, gotten stuff in my eye. Just part of the deal. All you can do is find a gym that's as clean as possible and that enforced hygiene standards, clean your stuff (gi and yourself) and don't accept training partners who don't do the same.
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I'd start if I were you. I don't like getting cuts and scratches and stuff like that in the gym but I don't have AIDS yet so thumbs up
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Our society in general is too afraid of germs. Bacteria and dirt are, generally speaking, good for you. And in fact, washing too often, especially using soap too often, is actually bad for you. It can wash away your skins natural oils and protective layers of bacteria.
As everyone has said, just find a good, professional gym with good cleaning policies.
My gym is dirty as fuck (it's primarily a Muay Thai gym and the owner is an ex-fighter who just doesn't really give a fuck) and I've still only had one, very minor, skin infection.
I have a shower before hand, no soap, just to make sure I don't stink when I get to class. I shower as soon as I get home, just with normal soap and I wash my gear ASAP too, to prevent it from getting too stinky.
Honestly, things like your phone, your shoes, public hand rails etc will likely be far more dirty than a BJJ gym.
Stop worrying about germs and live a little. The benefits of BJJ far outweigh the harm of a few germs.
As everyone has said, just find a good, professional gym with good cleaning policies.
My gym is dirty as fuck (it's primarily a Muay Thai gym and the owner is an ex-fighter who just doesn't really give a fuck) and I've still only had one, very minor, skin infection.
I have a shower before hand, no soap, just to make sure I don't stink when I get to class. I shower as soon as I get home, just with normal soap and I wash my gear ASAP too, to prevent it from getting too stinky.
Honestly, things like your phone, your shoes, public hand rails etc will likely be far more dirty than a BJJ gym.
Stop worrying about germs and live a little. The benefits of BJJ far outweigh the harm of a few germs.
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Don't forget blood.
