May 8, 20215 min read

Wolves Den - Gym Etiquette Guide

MMA gyms can seem like intimidating places, but at Wolves Den we are a pack that values every member and works hard to create and maintain a welcoming and friendly environment.

To ensure this is carried on, here are 7 timeless & important gym etiquette guidelines to serve you well so there's a win-win exchange every time you step into the Den! 1. Arrive On Time (be punctual) Make sure you arrive early to class (5-10mins recommended) so you're ready to get stuck in straight away. This will give you enough time to get changed into the appropriate attire for the class, have a quick chat and catch up with your team mates, start hand wrapping/ warming up etc. In the same way you wouldn't turn up late to a job or a social event, the same applies to all our classes. Keeping punctual is a way to thank and show respect for your coach and team mates. It will also allow you to get the most out the training experience. e.g. A quick chat and a smile from your gym partner could change the whole trajectory of the session and day ahead! (Our pack tend to have that effect on people!) As one famous once put it "If you're on time, you're late." - Lombardi

2. Listen To Your Coach The coaches at Wolves Den are highly skilled and experienced in their art, and they are here to teach and guide you. From absolute beginners to long time practitioners, keeping an open mind (and ear) to your coaches who are looking out for your best, is a sure way to grow in your journey. Not listening can often be frustrating for the coaches but also can cause you to doing the incorrect move/technique. This could further lead to picking up bad habits that will impact your development and/or be prone to injuries. We love that our gym is a pack, full of friendships and social interactions, which creates an awesome vibe. But please remember the coaches are here to make sure you get the most out of every session. You're paying to get your coaches time, be sure to get your moneys worth :)

3. Respect Your Training Partners We work hard to make sure are accommodating and welcoming to all where anyone from all walks of life can come and learn the art of MMA, feely and without restriction. Whilst most of our classes are beginner friendly there are many occasions where there is a good mix of beginners and experienced people in the same class. When partnered with a person that has less experience, it’s important to help coach the basics and make them feel comfortable. A great training partner will adjust their strength and intensity accordingly. We encourage our experienced members to share their own knowledge with newcomers as eventually they will become a valuable training partner. If you're the new person, relax, listen to their advice and focus on improving one step at a time! Everyone was a beginner once and had to start somewhere! Exercising a little bit of empathy goes a long way at the Den.

4. Bring The Correct Equipment In order to participate in full, be sure to have the correct equipment required for your favourite classes. On each of our class pages there is an equipment list for all classes at the Den - if in doubt be sure to contact us before your class. Striking classes (Boxing, Muay Thai, MMA) Please make sure you have at least one pair of hand wraps, boxing gloves, head gear and shin guards for striking classes that that require checking, or sparring. Mouth guards are also essential for sparring. Grappling classes (BJJ Gi and No Gi) Please make sure you have your mouthguards for rolling and shorts without pockets (for NoGi), and an appropriate BJJ Gi.

5. Be sensible when Sparring Sparring is there to improve your skills, timing and fight fitness against another opponent. There is no need to start throwing bombs like you’re fighting for a UFC title belt. There’s a time and a place for hard sparring, and it's under the watchful eye of your coach. e.g. a fighter leading up to a bout may spar hard with another experienced and trusted teammate. Other times you should consider who you’re partnered with and adjust accordingly. Work on sharpening the techniques without the sting, especially with someone that is less experienced. Avoiding unnecessary hard sparring will help you train without injury whilst still being able to practice everything in a high pressure scenario.

6. Keep It Clean Hygiene is king at the Den. With so many bodies training in the one space, we are particular about keeping everything clean and safe for your training session. Keeping yourself and your gear clean not only makes the gym a pleasant place to be, it also protects our pack members from things like staph infections. Some important points to remember:

- Make sure to air out and wash your equipment after every session so it’s clean and bacteria-free for your next class.

- Keep a towel handy for all classes so you can wipe excess sweat away. If you don't need a towel, are you working hard enough? :) - Wash your hands before and after training and use the hand sanitiser provided. There's also a bucket to wash your feet near the mats before every class. - Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. They can scratch and cut your training partners if they are too long. - Cover up all cuts and abrasions before you step on the mats, and dress them immediately if they get exposed. We take this rule very seriously especially given our current climate with COVID. Let's all work together to ensure a hygienic training environment for everyone!

7. Respect The Gym The Wolves Den is for our members to enjoy and we want everyone to have the same experience. Please make sure you do your part to keep the gym clean and tidy. This is a great sign of respect to your coaches and other pack members. Please don't leave your personal belongings and training bags lying around in the way of walkways. Please use the shelf storage for you. Some classes can get very busy and we need to make sure the gym space is utilised during to the max and not have people tripping over or lacking room to train.

Please return all borrowed equipment, such as pads or skipping ropes, back where they belong neatly. It’s also important to keep the mats clean, please mop down the mats after every training session so there is no spread of germs or bacteria for the next class.

These simple etiquettes will allow us to keep providing quality coaching and help us be a closer team and grow together as a pack. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!