Hygiene & Skin Safety at The Fighting Arts Academy
DO NOT train while sick or suffering from an infectious condition, including ringworm, staph, impetigo, or other contagious skin infections.
Close-contact martial arts are built on trust.
We have always maintained that The Fighting Arts Academy is a family. The health & safety of that family is our number one priority.
As much as we all live and breath the martial-arts, the primary goal of study should be the proactive self-preservation of ourselves and the ones we love. That trust includes showing up clean, watching out for each other, and taking responsibility when something’s not right.
This page outlines our hygiene expectations, common skin infections, and what to do if you’re unsure. Please read it carefully — and share it with anyone who needs a reminder.
A Reality Check:
Skin Infections Happen
(These are CONTACT Sports)
Staph. Ringworm. Herpes Gladiatorum. Impetigo.
These are unfortunately skin infections like these are fairly common in grappling and combat sports environments. These conditions tend to be more problematic for things like schools or gyms. Skin-on-skin contact is the issue and because these activities are concentrated - outbreaks happen and can be difficult to control unless people take personal responsibility.
The good news is that these conditions are rarely serious if treated early — but they’re highly contagious, and outbreaks can shut down training if we don’t stay vigilant.
You probably wouldn’t train with a heavy cold — think of skin infections the same way.
Know the Signs: What to Look For
Ringworm
• Fungal infection (not a worm!)
• Looks like a red, scaly, circular patch
• Treatable with over-the-counter antifungal cream
Staph Infection (inc. MRSA)
• Looks like a boil, pimple or painful red lump
• May be hot, swollen, or ooze pus
• Requires antibiotics
Impetigo
• Yellow, crusty sores (often around nose/mouth)
• Common in children
• Highly contagious – treat with antibiotics
Herpes Gladiatorum
• Caused by HSV-1 (cold sore virus)
• Appears as clusters of blisters or sores
• Requires antivirals and complete withdrawal from training
What We Expect from You
These are not “suggestions” — they are non-negotiables based on our club policies and Terms & Conditions:
🧼 Arrive clean — (use the shower downstairs if you are coming straight from work)
👕 Wear clean kit — no reusing sweaty rashguards or gloves
✂️ Trim your nails (hands and feet)
🩹 Cover all cuts, scrapes and open wounds with clean tape
🧽 Wash yourself and your equipment after every session (lots of showers, lots of laundry - get used to it!)
🚫 No shirtless training (rashguards or full tops required. Spats recommended for no-gi grappling)
🚫 No shoes on the mat – Don’t walk on the mat with shoes or flip-flops. (Specialist wrestling boots which are ONLY used on the mat may be worn)
🚫 No Bare Feet in the toilet – Make sure you put on some shoes or fllip-flops if you need to leave the mat and go to the bathroom (and wash your hands with soap before you retrun please!)
🚫 No shared personal equipment – Please invest in your own gloves, shin guards, and gi.
🤧 If you’re unwell or unsure, stay home and get checked
PLEASE…
Train Hard (but Smell good!)
What we do at TFAA
We go above and beyond the protocols for most academies:
Thai pads and gloves disinfected after every use (Please use the blue wipes and put them in the bin afterwards)
No shared gloves — We avoid club/shared gloves by default and insist students bring their own after their first session
Coaches monitor mat hygiene and can remove students showing visible infections
Most “fancy” academies use a mop to clean their mats…
Our mats are regularly disinfected with a hospital grade steam cleaner. (See video below)
If You See Something, Say Something
We know it can feel awkward — but saying nothing is worse.
If you spot something suspicious on a training partner, tell a coach, or discreetly let the person know.
We’d rather be cautious than contagious.
Not everyone might know what staph looks like compared to a normal scratch/scab… What herpes gladitorium looks like compared to a zit or boil,.. What ringworm looks like compared to a dry patch of skin….
Education and caution are key!
“Not wanting to be rude” shouldn’t outweigh protecting your team.
What our Terms & Conditions Say
Our academy Terms & Conditions state that:
You agree not to train while sick or suffering from infectious skin conditions
Maintaining personal hygiene is part of your membership
The academy reserves the right to remove students from the mat if there’s a health risk
Members are responsible for keeping their kit clean and covered
You appreciate that their is a risk of transmissible infection in combat sports training and if this occurs you agree not to hold the academy, it’s instructors or students liable
Training with us means accepting and respecting this.
Questions? Concerns?
Not sure what you’re looking at? Feel unwell?
Please stay off the mats, speak to or message a coach.
We’ll help you figure it out — no judgment.
🔗 Share This Page
This page exists to be shared quickly and clearly.
Please forward it to new members or anyone who may need a reminder.
Final Word
This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about professionalism.
We can control our cleaning. We can’t control people’s hygiene unless we talk about it openly.
Thanks for doing your part to keep TFAA safe, respectful, healthy and strong.
– The Coaches