Before your first class at Leverage Jiu Jitsu Colorado, take a few minutes to read through our gym etiquette guide. Following these guidelines keeps everyone healthy, safe, and welcome on the mats.

Hygiene

Personal hygiene is essential for your own health, as well as the health of your teammates. If you notice a training partner is unaware of these rules, inform them of your concerns politely or ask an instructor.

Gyms are generally hot and humid environments, the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. We disinfect the mats as soon as training is over but our skin is susceptible to things like ringworm or staph so we have to be diligent in creating good hygiene habits.

If you are sick, do not come to class.

Wearing long sleeve rashguards and spats/leggings will help protect your skin.

Do not step on the mats with street shoes.

Never step outside barefoot and walk onto our mats.

Do not go to the bathroom barefoot: use the flip flops provided (don’t bring street shoes into the changing rooms).

Be clean and odor free. Deodorant is a must.

Always wear clean gear. Wash your gear as soon as possible. If your gear smells, we will tell you.

If you are taking more than one class, have an extra set of gear so that you can start the next class with dry clothes. By all means take a shower between classes if you need one.

Shower as soon as you’re done training. A soap with tea tree is a good idea but overdoing it can dry out your skin so use moisturizer after.

Don’t hang out in sweaty gear. Ringworm thrives in humid conditions. Bring a set of clothes to change into if you’re heading home to shower. Your carseat will be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. 

Here is a waterproof laundry bag you can use to take your sweaty gear home.

Do not shave or take super hot showers right before training. Using something like Cetaphil moisturizer after shaving/showering will help restore your skin barrier which is crucial for skin health.

Change your towels often.

Any cuts should be disinfected and well covered while on the mats. Even the smallest cuts can get infected so protect yourself!

Skin Conditions and What to do About Them

Always check your skin for ANY abnormalities. If you see anything questionable, let us know BEFORE getting on the mats.

Bacteria and fungi get passed on to others even it is covered.

If you have any skin abnormality, go see your doctor ASAP. You will not be allowed to train until it gets cleared.

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection and the most common skin problem in jiu jitsu. It is likely you will get it at some point in your jiu jitsu training.

Never cover ringworm, as it thrives in humidity. For ringworm, use Lamisil topical cream (over the counter ointment) and it will usually resolve in a couple of days. (Lotrimin is not as effective as lamisil). 

Staph, short for staphylococcus, is a type of bacteria that normally enters through an open wound or hair follicles. It may appear as a red spot or boil in early stages. It is also easily spread and can be extremely dangerous if left untreated. While antibiotics can cure most forms of staph, there are strains that are resistant to antibiotics—leading to amputation or death if not treated properly.

Staph is most easily caught by people with an open wound. That’s why it is essential to cover wounds, even if they are scabbed over. Bandaids alone are not sufficient as they will inevitably come off in training. Tape over the bandaid and cover it with clothing.

Again, do not train until your doctor gives you the clear.

If you think you or a training partner might have a skin infection, immediately consult an instructor.

Mat Etiquette & Safety

Be respectful. We keep things casual but this is still a martial art.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable with another member’s behavior—whether verbal or physical—please inform an instructor right away. We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful environment and enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind.

Tap early. One of the things that makes jiu jitsu so effective is that we can execute moves at 100% power, allowing us to have a better understanding of techniques. What makes this possible is the concept of submission, also known as tapping. It is an acknowledgment that you have been caught with a technique that could result in you being injured or rendered unconscious.

Submissions can be indicated verbally or physically by tapping your opponent’s body repeatedly with your hands. The rule of thumb is that three taps in a row is a definitive tap. If you cannot reach your opponent due to the position you’re in, tap the mat with your hand (or foot if necessary) or verbally submit by saying “tap”. A verbal and physical tap combined are best to stay safe. 

Catch and release. Sometimes a person is caught in a submission that they should tap to without realizing the danger they are in. In that case, the person applying the submission should continue to hold the submission in place but not applying finishing pressure and inform their partner that they are caught. If the person disagrees, apply finishing pressure slowly. There are some techniques such as a bicep slicer or heel hook where the person in the submission will not necessarily feel pain until it is too late - in that case, the offensive player should inform their training partner that they are caught and explain the danger.

Don’t coach your rolling partner (unless they ask).

Everyone should be considerate of the other people on the mat—so be mindful of your space. When instructors or higher belts are rolling, they have the right of way. Avoid bumping into them by moving over.

If your partner goes unconscious or they are injured, tell the instructor immediately.

The most important person on the mat is your training partner so keep them safe.

No slams or picking up your partner under any circumstances. No jumping guard or scissor takedowns.

Remove all jewelry (even wedding rings) prior to training.

If you sweat heavily, keep a towel nearby and dry off as needed to maintain hygiene and prevent slippery mats.

If you bleed on the mats, alert the instructor and disinfect the area immediately.

Wear appropriate gear. No pockets/zippers. Rash guards required for rolling. Men: if you wear leggings, you have to wear shorts on top. If you wear shorts, you must have compression liners underneath. Women: no tank tops or crop tops. Sports bras required under rash guards.