If you train in our gym, maintaining good hygiene by using a quality soap or shower gel every time you shower is essential to preventing germs and bacteria that cause ringworm, impetigo, herpes, staph and MRSA.

Here are some of our cleaning tips that’ll help you stay on the mats and not on the sidelines.

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TIP #1: KEEP IT CLEAN

Always wash your equipment, training gear and training uniforms immediately after each training session. Not washing these items and letting them sit in sweat allows germs and bacteria to grow and spread very fast. Even if you wash your items a few hours after training, the germs and bacteria have the chance to settle deep into fabrics, making it more difficult to wash them out.

TIP #2: HIT THE SHOWERS

Shower immediately after each training session. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to catch an infection or irritation. When showering, use Aftermat scrub soap or shower gel. Less quality-grade soaps often contain detergents and fragrances that do more harm than good. These low-quality products dry out the skin causing cracks and abrasions – a gateway for germs and bacteria. Aftermat products are made with the best quality ingredients providing your skin with essential oils and vitamins needed to protect against harmful skin irritations.

TIP #3: WATCH YOUR STEP

If you step off the training mats, put on your shoes – ESPECIALLY when going to the bathroom! Too many training facilities do not enforce this when members go to use the restrooms during a training session. When someone uses the restroom with bare feet, they track all kinds of nasty germs and fungus back onto the mat. Make sure you and your gym make it a mandatory rule that all members wear footwear when stepping off the training mats.

TIP #4: TRIM YOUR CLAWS

Long fingernails and toenails are another gateway for bacteria. Also, long nails cut into the skin which helps distribute those germs. Open wounds, even slight abrasions, can leave you vulnerable for attack.

TIP #5: NO DIRTY MOUTH

How many times during training has your mouthpiece fallen on the mat, where sweat, feet, germs, hair are hanging out? Did you put that back in your mouth? If you said yes, please stop. It should be quite obvious why you shouldn’t do that, and a good reason to rinse out that mouthpiece and sanitize it as well. Check out Aftermat’s Mouthguard Sanitizer spray and sanitize your mouthpiece with our 100% certified organic spray that kills 99.9% of germs on contact. You’ll be glad you used it.

TIP #6: TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF

If you notice something that doesn’t look right on your skin, do not participate in practice. You should immediately have it checked out by a doctor. What may seem like an ingrown hair, a small pimple, mat burn, etc., can turn out to be something else. You don’t want to expose that to your training partners or prolong getting it looked at. Staph and MRSA start out very small, but quickly manifest into a very dangerous situation. As much as we all don’t want to sit on the bench, you need to get checked out for yourself and your teammates.

TIP #7: THOSE AREN’T STREET SHOES

They are called indoor shoes because you wear them while you are indoor. You should never wear your indoor shoes when you leave the gym. For the same reasons as tip number 3, you are dragging all kinds germs and bacteria onto the mats, and consequently, onto people’s bodies and faces.

TIP #8: THAT’S YOUR GEAR

Don’t share your equipment with someone else. You don’t know the last time that person washed their equipment, or themselves. Make sure you have your own clean equipment and always remember to wash it down after every training session.

TIP #9: USE COMMON SENSE

U are not a KID, show the disciplin from traing thru your life ! Use common sense and avoid mistakes that could be stopped because you were lazy.

TIP #10: LEAVE THE SCRUFF

Avoid shaving right before a training session. When you shave, tiny cuts that you cannot see are wide open for germs and bacteria to attack. The face is very sensitive and training after shaving can cause immediate irritations. If you plan on training, try and get your shave on at least one full day before. Ladies, this includes shaving your legs, too!

TIP #11: DON’T SHARE

We’re not saying never share, but when it comes to the water bottles you put your mouth on, don’t pass it off to someone else for a sip. You don’t want their mouth on your bottle. All kinds of transmitted viruses and bacterial infections can occur. Instead of sharing the bottle, get a cup.

Remember it’s your hygiene, your choice. Choose Aftermat.