Common Dirty Spots to Watch Out for in a Boston Jiu Jitsu Gym
- Akmboh v2
- Aug 5
- 2 min read

When choosing a Boston Jiu Jitsu gym, hygiene should be just as important as technique. A clean training space helps prevent skin infections, staph, and other health issues that can spread quickly on the mats. While most gyms take cleanliness seriously, it's good to know what to watch for—especially if you're visiting a new location or bringing your child to their first class.

One of the dirtiest and most overlooked areas is the training mats themselves. In a high-contact sport like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, everyone rolls on the mat, sweats on it, and sometimes even bleeds on it. If the mats aren't cleaned and disinfected thoroughly after every session, bacteria and fungi can thrive. Always look for gyms that mop their mats regularly and enforce no-shoes-on-the-mat policies.

Another germ hotspot in a Boston Jiu Jitsu gym is the locker room and bathroom area. These spots often get a lot of foot traffic, moisture, and shared use—perfect conditions for mold, mildew, and bacteria. If the showers or toilets look dirty or smell bad, that’s a red flag. It’s also smart to wear sandals or flip-flops when walking in these areas to avoid picking up anything contagious.

Lastly, keep an eye on shared equipment like loaner gis, gloves, or even communal foam rollers. While it's great when a gym provides gear for new students, that equipment should be sanitized between uses. If it looks worn out, smells bad, or is just tossed in a pile after class, it’s a sign the gym might not be prioritizing hygiene. A well-maintained Boston Jiu Jitsu gym should always make cleanliness part of the culture—not just an afterthought.