By Valerie Worthington

It is unrealistic to say there are no potential challenges related to people of different genders training together. That being said, jiu-jitsu is about training—troubleshooting, brainstorming, learning—with people. For that reason, this article is a set of suggestions for anyone who claims a gender identity who has just started training or who is thinking of starting to train.

If we are willing, we can all learn more about how to become great training partners and how to support others in doing the same, no matter our gender identification. Some of this involves respecting differences between men and women and, increasingly, people who eschew a male-female dichotomy. I also believe a lion’s share of the answer is about individual commitment to consideration and self-awareness. These are simple fixes. But simple does not necessarily mean easy.

So, if you claim a gender identity, read on for suggestions about how to contribute to a positive training environment, especially if you are new to jiu-jitsu. Read more about Training, Gender and a Positive Gym Environment: Guest Post by Valerie Worthington …