gym etiquette 101 — the unwritten rules nobody tells you before your first class

walked into my first martial arts class knowing zero etiquette and accidentally committed about 5 social crimes. nobody told me the rules. so here they are for everyone starting out.

HYGIENE (non-negotiable):

• shower before class. not that morning. before class. nobody wants to roll with someone who smells like their lunch
• trim fingernails and toenails. check them before every class. scratching someone is a rookie mistake
• wash your gi/gear after EVERY session. not every other. EVERY. staph infections are real and they start with dirty gear
• no shoes on the mat. ever. you wear sandals to the bathroom and take them off when you step on the mat
• if you have any skin issue — ringworm, staph, impetigo, anything suspicious — DO NOT COME TO CLASS. tell your coach and see a doctor. training with a skin infection can shut down an entire gym

ROLLING/SPARRING ETIQUETTE:

• tap early and tap clearly. slap your partner, slap the mat, or verbally say "tap." dont be ambiguous
• when your partner taps, LET GO IMMEDIATELY. not one more second. immediately
• dont slam anyone (especially in BJJ). if you pick someone up, put them down controlled
• match your intensity to your partner. if theyre going light, go light. if theyre going hard, match it or ask to go lighter
• dont coach someone while youre rolling with them unless they ask. its condescending
• if someone significantly smaller than you rolls with you, adjust your strength. use technique not power

GENERAL GYM ETIQUETTE:

• bow when entering and leaving the mat (varies by gym but when in doubt, bow)
• dont walk across the mat in shoes. EVER
• if class is in session and youre late, wait at the edge of the mat until the coach acknowledges you
• address the head instructor appropriately (Professor, Coach, Kru — depends on the art and gym)
• dont ask someone what belt/rank they are. you will find out when they choke you
• dont give unsolicited technique advice especially as a beginner. you know less than you think
• help clean the mats after class. this is a community space

THE VIBE:

• be friendly. introduce yourself to people. this is a community
• leave your ego at the door. literally every person there can teach you something
• celebrate other peoples progress. when someone gets promoted, congratulate them sincerely
• if youre having a bad day, still be a good training partner. dont take your frustration out on others
• say thank you to your coach and your training partners at the end of class

these rules seem like a lot but they become second nature within a month. the underlying principle is simple: be clean, be respectful, be safe, be cool.

DFW gym veterans — what rules did i miss?