Have a shower and a mint !!!!!!

[David Stager]

If you're doing more than one class in a day, you need a different shirt for each one.

[Joe Durham]

If you're doing more than one class in a day, you need a different shirt for each one.

^^this^^ I always bring 3 shirts to class and I will go the the bathroom, wash off and change shirts in between classes or as soon as I start smelling funk. Most of the time, the funk aint from me....

I have close to a 40min drive home after class so I will usually spray myself down with either Thieves oil or diluted Tea Tree oil to cover until I get home (drives the guys at gym nuts cause bathroom ends up smelling like a heavy duty commercial cleaning solution after im done spraying down ).

Then I shower immediately when I get home. And I always suggest washing your gear and gym clothes in vinegar and oxy clean.

I take this shit pretty serious...I got scars on both legs from previous bad staph and folliculitus infections and really do everything possible to keep that shit off me now. Oh and grappling tights and rashguards can often help infest bacteria and fungus infections. Any type of tight clothing mixed with sweat and friction can lead to infections on skin.

Defense soap or Super Body Care...either are great producers of soaps to keep you safe.

[HerbChao]

I shower as soon as I can after each class/practice (and make sure the last time I showered before class is in the morning, I've heard of people who would shower an hour before class and read that actually gets rid of some of your body's defenses against the bacteria/fungus like some others have mentioned). I was my gear as often as I can, and rinse my mouthguard before and after class. As a courtesy I always spray a mintspray in my mouth before class and wipe some deodorant too before.

It is true though, somedays you're so defensive about germs then other days you've got like 3 chicks making out with 2 guys all at the same time and noone care then....

[Jason Hyatt]

I don't ever want to be stank-guy on the mats (or anywhere else I guess...). I never wear anything twice in row without washing it -- that goes for ankle sleeves, gi pants, compression shirts/shorts, etc. The gym bag has picked up its own unique Oakland-y funk despite regular washing so I give it a good spray with anti-fungal about once a month.

I'll reiterate the avoid-antibacterials thing. Ringworm isn't a bacterium, it's a fungus so antibacterials do nothing against it. Staph IS a bacterium, but it has to compete against all of the other normal bacteria on your skin. If you clear house on your skin, there is nothing but wide open land for staph to graze on; it doesn't have many other bacteria to compete with for resources.

Keep your skin well hydrated as well. Use a good lotion or moisturizer after you shower (and yes, defense is awesome. It's anti-fungal and it maintains the normal flora on your skin.). Taylor's opinions aside, lotion doesn't make you gay. What it DOES do is prevent and heal micro cracks and small abrasions that staph can get into. You want hydrated, healthy skin. The more small cracks and wounds you give staph a shot at, the more likely you are to come down with an infection.

[Dustin C.]

I think the worse thing I hit is when fools don't trim their finger/toe nails often. That shit makes me more mad.

I get pissed about this as well

[OREN ROSENFELD "OJ"]

Thanks guys lots of good info i appreciate it

[SebG]

At our gym the instructor always smells good at the start of class and asks ppl to shower b4 class, make sure nails trimmed etc. There are not many things worse then being stuck with your head near some guys nether regions that smell like he didn't use the toilet paper or change his underwear for a couple of days. When I first started BJJ I thought "it's all sweat, no point washing beforehand" but now I think a quick wash is actually in order.

[Cody Kietzman]

Taylor's opinions aside, lotion doesn't make you gay.

I miss Taylor....sigh....