7 Things you can do for Boxing Hygiene
Over the last month or so you would have had to be living underneath a stone or been in a coma, if you have not heard about the current Virus that is the major talk of every news reel and news cast, Yes the corona virus (covid-19). I am no expert in this, but I am an expert in Common sense.
So the blog I have written as you are reading now is targeted to the guys that are involved in the Sweet science of boxing, and something that guys I work with will all too well know, and the guys that have done the CPT Million Dollar Boxing Fit-camp especially the ladies or guys that who could not be bothered to purchase their own pair of Boxing gloves, boxing gloves always are in a minging state when you have used them, because you are expelling a lot of sweat to the surface of your skin, and no don’t you know it’s going to leave those gloves smelling fowl, Not only that but check this scenario.
Imagine you walk into a Boxing gym for a heavy punch bag workout or sparing, but have no gloves so you look into the plastic box that contains gloves that every Tom Dick and Mary uses who just like you have no gloves, you put them on and start what you set out to do, but guess what they are full of germs, damp, ripped and stink like you have taken your hand out of a badgers rear end.
But this is what I have and see daily, when I am coaching clients, trust me and on some occasions I have ended up giving gloves away for this reason.
So the first thing you need to do is always think about your health, your health includes your own hygiene, this includes cleaning of your own equipment and making sure you have your own equipment, weather you are only going to box to keep fit or aspire to be a world champ.
So below are a few things that I would recommend to you if you attend Boxing session for the sake of not only your hygiene but your health also:
- Own your own boxing gloves and make sure that it is only you that use them.
- Wash your boxing wraps (This is optional)
- Wipe your boxing gloves, not many guys do, and most hardened competitive boxers don’t even though they have daily use, but some people especially those that might not compete might want to wash depending on how often their gloves are used. (Watch Video)
- For the guys that that Spar depending on how frequent you spar, make sure that you wash and wipe the inside and the side of your groin Protector, a lot of germs hang around after use clean with sponge and soapy water.
- Clean your mouth guard/Gum shield out after use, with an anti-bacterial soap, and put into your mouth guard container, the other thing you can do is use a disinfectant called Hydrogen Peroxide after you have used before you put back in your mouth guard container and then remember to wash off just before you do your next sparring session, this will keep Bacteria away, I once had a Boxer who had mild gum disease just through NOT having good gum shield hygiene, and use your gum shield container, bacteria is everywhere.
- Buy a sanitizer gel for your kit bag, one squirt in your hands after you have either finished training before you go home to have your shower, or shower off at the gym and sanitizer after you have used the shower, bugs and germs are everywhere.
- Empty your dirty kit bag after use, most boxers kit bags contain a lot of stuff that can be high in bacteria, take for instance, the dirty socks, the dirty used underwear, some guys gum shield without a container, a unwashed groin Protector, Dirty smelly hand wraps, a used towel, smelly un aired gloves, stinky Boxing Boots, a Post workout drink shaker that has been in the kit bag for a week or two, that smells fowl, your mobile phone, it’s no wonder some guys and girls pick up germs and illnesses after leaving the gym.A few things to basically remember, whether you believe what you are currently hearing or not is Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing problems. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Hope you have enjoyed this blog, if you have Know of any of your friends that might benefit from reading this post feel free to share with them.
Coach Martin Gooden