Surviving Summer BJJ — Sweat, Gi Smell and Hygiene Fully Covered
A summer gym is a steam room. The big three of hygiene to avoid ringworm, stopping gi smell at the source, hydration and electrolytes, and a summer gym bag checklist — how to keep rolling through the hottest months.
Walk into a gym in the middle of summer and you know it instantly. That wall of humidity the second you open the door — a summer academy is basically a steam room. But take a month off because it's hot and your rhythm is gone; coming back in September feels twice as hard. Here's how to keep rolling all summer, from hygiene to hydration.
The big three of hygiene — in summer they're mandatory, not optional
Skin infections like ringworm and impetigo spread easily on the mat because it's a skin-to-skin sport. One person catches it and it can run through the whole gym. Just stick to these three:
- Shower right after training. Planning to wash at home? In summer, the answer is to shower at the gym before you leave.
- Wash your gi and rash guard every single time. "I'll wear it once more" is the express lane to ringworm. No exceptions in summer.
- Keep nails short and cover any cuts. A scratch is an open door for infection. Cover it with a bandage or tape and then roll.
Gi stink — stop it at the source
Summer gi smell comes from putting off the laundry. Leave a wet gi in your bag overnight and the smell that sets in won't fully wash out later. Straight into the washer the moment you get home, and if you can't run it, at least take it out of the bag and hang it up. A gi that already smells sour can be rescued by soaking it in cold water with a cup of vinegar before washing.
Water and electrolytes — water alone isn't enough
You sweat a lot in a summer class, and how much varies a lot from person to person — weigh yourself before and after training to see how much you lose. You lose electrolytes along with the sweat. Start drinking before training, and sip throughout class. On days you roll for over two hours, bringing a sports drink or electrolyte powder makes a real difference. If you feel dizzy or break into a cold sweat mid-roll, step off and rest right away — summer dehydration is no joke.
No-gi is a gift in summer
In summer, a gi jacket is basically a sauna suit. If your gym runs no-gi classes, shifting more of your training to no-gi for the season is a solid option. Rash guards wick sweat fast and are easy to wash. Not sure what to wear? Check the no-gi gear guide.
- A spare rash guard or T-shirt — never head home in wet clothes
- 1.5–2 L of water + a sports drink (for long training days)
- Toiletries + towel — shower at the gym before you leave
- A plastic or waterproof pouch for wet clothes — keeps your bag from smelling
- Not just for summer: a mouthguard, all year round
For a washing and care routine that makes your gi last, see the gi washing and care guide, and if you're wondering how often to train, read How many times a week? too. The moment you use the heat as an excuse, September-you pays for it — the people who roll through summer are the ones who win the fall tournaments.
Source: NATA Position Statement: Skin Diseases (preventing skin infections) · ACSM Position Stand: Exercise and Fluid Replacement (sweat and fluid replacement)