- Tom DeBlass posted blunt “house rules” for visitors at his academy, triggering the usual internet split: “fair” vs “too much.”
- Two rules were the main flashpoints: shorts over spats for men and a rash guard/shirt under the Gi.
- The bigger takeaway isn’t the wording — it’s that drop-ins work best when expectations are clear before you step on the mat.
- If you’re visiting a new room, treat it like someone else’s home: ask ahead, follow the rules, train clean, and don’t make it weird.
The Two Tom DeBlass Gym Rules for Visitors
In a recent social media post, DeBlass laid out what he says are his academy’s expectations for visitors, with an opening that’s hard to argue with: he wants people to feel welcome.
“I have had visitors at my Academy from all over the world. I welcome everyone, from all affiliations.”
Then came the part that lit up comment sections: two “main rules” directed at men who train No-Gi (or mix No-Gi with Gi rounds).
First: Shorts over spats.
“Just two main rules, men, you must wear shorts over your spatz.”
Second: A rash guard (or at least a shirt) under the Gi.
“Next, rash guard or shirt under the gi. My non competitors don’t want your sweaty man chest all over their face.”
He finished with the most old-school gym-owner sentiment imaginable — you don’t have to like it, but you do have to follow it if you want to train there.
“Needless to say, my school, my rules. Not really my concern if you agree or not.”
Whether you found the delivery funny, abrasive, or unnecessary, Tom DeBlass gym rules hit a nerve because they sit right on the line between personal preference and shared mat culture.
BJJ Gym Etiquette: What Visitors Actually Owe The Room
Drop-ins are one of the best things about Jiu-Jitsu. You travel, you train, you meet different styles, and you walk away sharper. But visiting a new academy is also a little like stepping into someone else’s kitchen mid-service: there’s a rhythm, there are standards, and there’s a way of doing things that isn’t up for debate in the moment.
At minimum, good BJJ gym etiquette looks like this:
- Ask before you show up. A quick message solves 80% of misunderstandings.
- Arrive early and introduce yourself. Don’t stroll in during warm-ups like you’re the headliner.
- Train clean. Fresh Gi, clean rash guard, trimmed nails, deodorant — the basics.
- Be a good partner. Match intensity, don’t crank subs, don’t “win practice.”
- Respect mat fees and policies. If a gym charges, pay it without acting offended.
- Follow the academy rules. Even if your home gym does the opposite.
This is where Tom DeBlass gym rules become less about spats and more about a simple principle: the visitor adapts. The host sets the tone.
Shorts Over Spats, Rash Guards, And The Real Reason Gyms Get Strict
Let’s strip the drama out of it: the two rules DeBlass highlighted are not rare, and they’re not always about “morality” or “control.” Most gyms that enforce them do it for some combination of comfort, hygiene, and consistency.
Shorts over spats is usually about modesty and presentation. Spats-only can be pretty revealing on some body types, and not everyone wants to be the person explaining that to a brand-new hobbyist who wandered in for their first trial week. In mixed classes, it’s also an easy way to keep a baseline standard that doesn’t rely on awkward judgment calls.
Rash guard under the Gi is even easier to understand once you’ve rolled with enough people. Sweat happens. Chest hair happens. Skin-to-skin happens. Some gyms want to reduce that for comfort, hygiene, and just keeping training pleasant for the majority — especially if the room includes plenty of older hobbyists, newer students, or people who aren’t there to “tough it out.”
The truth is, Tom DeBlass gym rules aren’t revolutionary — the delivery is what made them viral. And delivery matters, because gyms aren’t just rules on a wall; they’re communities. The same policy can land totally differently depending on how it’s communicated.
Visiting A BJJ Academy Without Becoming “That Guy”
If you’re travelling and want to train, you can avoid almost every drop-in headache with one simple move: ask about the uniform rules before you pack your bag.
Here’s a practical checklist:
- Message the gym: “Hey, I’m in town. Any rules for drop-ins? Gi/No-Gi requirements?”
- Pack the safe options: shorts, spats, rash guard, and a spare T-shirt if needed.
- Bring tape and flip-flops: nobody wants bare feet in the bathroom situation.
- Don’t argue policies on arrival: if you don’t like the rules, quietly train elsewhere.
- Roll like a guest: flow first, then match intensity. Your goal is to be invited back.
That’s the clean version of what Tom DeBlass gym rules are really saying: don’t show up and turn someone else’s mat into a negotiation.
House Rules Are House Rules, But Culture Is A Choice
There are two truths that can exist at the same time.
A gym owner has every right to set standards. If a room wants shorts over spats and rash guards under the Gi, that’s not tyranny — it’s a dress code. And Tom DeBlass gym rules are, at their core, exactly that.
How you communicate those standards shapes your culture. Some people respond well to blunt, old-school leadership. Others don’t. In a sport that’s growing fast — with more beginners, more casual trainees, and more diverse rooms — the tone matters almost as much as the rule.
The best drop-in environments meet in the middle: visitors show respect and adapt, while hosts set expectations clearly (and ideally without turning it into a public shaming session).
If nothing else, this little flare-up is a reminder that Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t just happen on the mats — it happens in the tiny social contracts around them. And the easiest way to keep training drama-free is still the same: ask ahead, pack smart, and follow the room.
