My Honest Review of The Arm Bar Soap Company’s After Training Soap (2025)

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Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other grappling sports often leaves me sweaty, tired, and more than a little worried about what my skin might have picked up from the mats. That’s why I decided to try The Arm Bar Soap Company’s After Training Soap—a brand that claims to fight off bacteria and fungus while keeping the skin healthy. Over the past few months, I’ve gone through several of their “batches,” and this review reflects my real experience with the product: the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Packaging

What immediately caught my eye is the miniature “kimono and black belt” wrapping around each bar. This isn’t just cute—it instantly signals the brand’s deep ties to martial arts culture. It feels like a nod to my training life, and I love that personal connection. Some limited batches even come in collectible boxes designed by BJJ artists like Sam Kressin, which makes them feel special and collectible. However, the bar itself is sealed in plastic, which feels less eco-friendly compared to the company’s liquid soap line and accessories. They do sell a separate travel case called “The Closed Guard” made from recycled plastic, but it’s not included with the bar—something I wish came standard for athletes who shower at the gym. I bought one myself and appreciated its snap enclosure and hang tab, which made it easier to store the soap at my academy.

Ingredients

I was impressed by the ingredient list. The company uses natural and often organic components—no parabens, SLS, or artificial dyes. Depending on the batch, you’ll find rich emollients like Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Virgin Coconut Oil, and Kuku’i Nut Oil alongside natural exfoliants such as Kona Coffee grounds, crushed walnut shells, or ground apricot seed sand. Many ingredients are sourced from specific, exotic locations—Manuka oil from New Zealand, Kona Coffee from Hawaii, Tahitian Vanilla from Moorea. This global sourcing gives the soap a premium, artisanal feel. Most batches are vegan, though a few contain honey, yogurt, or goat’s milk. If you have nut or botanical sensitivities, it’s worth checking each batch online before buying. I personally like that the website provides detailed ingredient stories for each “batch” so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin.

Scent Options

One of my favorite aspects of Arm Bar Soap is the constantly changing scent lineup. I tried several batches: The Peppermint Batch (cooling and invigorating), The American Spring Batch (a surprising mix of fresh apple pie with eucalyptus), and The 50/50 Batch (a nostalgic orange creamsicle scent). Each one smelled natural and distinct—not artificial or overpowering. The peppermint bar even left a mild cooling sensation on my skin post-shower, which felt refreshing after training. The scents tend to linger softly after rinsing, which I like.

Over time, I discovered that The Peppermint Batch became my go-to after intense rolling sessions because the tingle and herbal aroma felt like an instant “reset” for my body and mind. On calmer days or in the evenings, I reached for The American Spring Batch—its unexpected apple pie note wrapped in eucalyptus was comforting without feeling cloying. The playful 50/50 Batch with its orange creamsicle scent ended up being my weekend favorite because it reminded me of childhood treats but still delivered a solid clean. I’ve also tried a travel-sized “Wristlock” sampler pack to experience scents like The Northern Knight with its Dragon’s Blood extract and The Sand Bar with its lagoon-blue Chlorella powder; those unique colors and textures made even my showers feel like a novelty. These specific experiences made me realize how the brand uses fragrance not just to smell good but to create moods—invigoration, comfort, or nostalgia—that matched my post-training state.

Although the branding and batch names lean masculine—think “The Vanilla Gorilla” or “The Northern Knight”—I personally found the fragrances appealing and not overly gendered. In fact, my partner started using my bars too and enjoyed them just as much.

Lather and Application

These bars lather a lot—rich, creamy suds that feel luxurious and get into every nook and cranny. This makes them feel like a true deep cleanse. The downside is that all this lather might contribute to the bars wearing down faster. The company encourages using accessories like their mesh Official Issue Soap Sleeve or cedarwood soap saver to extend the soap’s life and maximize its exfoliating benefits. I tried the sleeve, and it did enhance the scrubby feel, especially on my feet and elbows. The peppermint oil’s cooling effect also amplified the post-workout freshness. When I paired the bar with the mesh pouch, it almost felt like a spa-level body scrub after a hard session on the mats.

Effectiveness

This is where Arm Bar Soap shines. After intense training sessions, my skin feels extra clean but not stripped or dry. I’m prone to the occasional mat-related rash, and since using this soap regularly, I’ve noticed fewer flare-ups and faster healing of minor skin irritations. One time when I ran out and switched to regular soap, an itchy patch cropped up; once I went back to Arm Bar Soap, it calmed down within a day. That gave me real peace of mind. According to the company’s FAQ, all soap batches are sent to a private laboratory facility in Los Angeles for sterility testing to ensure that their ingredients combat mat-born bacteria and fungus like MRSA and ringworm. I haven’t seen the actual reports myself, but the results on my own skin and the testimonials from other athletes make me believe there’s substance behind their claims. The moisturizing oils also help balance the deep clean, so my skin doesn’t feel tight afterward.

Size and Lifespan

Arm Bar Soap offers multiple sizes to suit different needs: a 4.25 oz standard bar, a hefty 10 oz mega-bar, and a 1 oz travel “Wristlock” bar. The larger bar feels like a direct response to feedback about the standard bar’s quick wear. In my experience, the regular bar lasted about two to three weeks with daily use when I stored it properly in a soap dish out of the water stream. Without that care, it softened faster, and one bar even disintegrated within days. The mega-bar lasted me significantly longer and felt like better value for heavy use. I also liked the dual-purpose “50/50 Batch” that works as a hair-and-body bar, which cut down on the number of bottles in my gym bag.

Brand Reputation

Knowing the brand’s story made me appreciate it more. It was started by a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner with Hawaiian roots who struggled with mat-related skin infections and decided to make a better soap. This authenticity shows. The company stays true to its martial arts roots while also emphasizing ethical practices like no animal testing and sourcing ingredients “as naturally and sustainably as possible.” They also manufacture in Northern California, which adds a “Made in the USA” assurance. I’ve even received handwritten thank-you notes and stickers in my orders—a small touch that made me feel like a valued customer rather than just another sale. Seeing the brand expand into apparel and even high-end BJJ uniforms reinforced that sense of community and authenticity; it’s clearly a brand built by practitioners for practitioners.

Price and Value

This soap is definitely on the premium side. The standard bar runs between about $5.95 and $9.99 depending on the batch, while the mega-bar is around $15.95. That’s more expensive than mainstream brands and even pricier than some specialty soaps. However, the high-quality ingredients, lab-testing claims, and strong brand identity justify the cost for me. The company also offers bundles, subscriptions, and sampler packs that lower the price per bar. I found the sampler pack especially helpful to discover my favorite scents before committing to full sizes. I also signed up for a subscription, which gave me a small discount and ensured I didn’t run out between training cycles.

Availability

You can buy Arm Bar Soap directly from its official website, which offers the full range of products and bundles. It’s also stocked in many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies, fight shops, and a few online martial arts retailers. Occasionally, batches sell out quickly—especially limited editions—which creates a sense of urgency but can also be frustrating if you’re trying to reorder a favorite scent. Shipping within the U.S. has been smooth for me, but I’ve read international customers mentioning high shipping costs. On one occasion, I had to wait for a restock notification email to grab a seasonal batch, which added to the “limited edition” excitement but also showed how high the demand can be.

Overall Rating

For me, The Arm Bar Soap Company’s After Training Soap delivers on its promise. It keeps my skin feeling clean, refreshed, and less prone to post-training flare-ups. I enjoy the rotating scents, the authentic branding, and the sense of community the company cultivates. While the price and durability may give some people pause, the peace of mind and quality of ingredients make it worth it for athletes who train hard. If you’re serious about hygiene after training, this soap feels like an essential part of your gear—almost as important as your gi or rashguard.

Final Thoughts: After months of using Arm Bar Soap, I see it as more than just soap; it’s a ritual that bridges my training life and my self-care. The blend of authenticity, effective cleaning, and creative scents—especially discovering my personal favorites like the invigorating Peppermint Batch, the cozy American Spring Batch, and the novelty of The Sand Bar travel size—has earned it a permanent spot in my gym bag. If the company can improve bar longevity and reduce plastic, it could become the gold standard for after-training hygiene products.