How much are Jiu Jitsu classes? What does Jiu Jitsu cost, overall? Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu an expensive sport?
Stay tuned and we’ll answer all these questions for you. We’ll explain what you can generally expect to pay per month for Jiu Jitsu classes, along with any additional costs you’re likely to come across when you train BJJ.
How Much Are Jiu Jitsu Classes?
Jiu Jitsu classes typically cost between $100 and $200 per month. This is a ballpark figure – there are many factors that can affect this.
Some gyms may charge more or less depending on the location, type of class, and instructor. For example, a big-name gym, in a big city is probably going to charge a lot more than a small school in a small town.
A gym in Manhattan run by a Gracie? Expect to pay top dollar.
A gym run by a brown belt in Springfield, Missouri? Not so much.
It’s going to differ greatly in different areas of the world, too. For instance, I train in Vietnam, and it’s generally between $50-$100 per month for classes. Yet when I used to train in New Zealand, some gyms charged $200+ per month.
You’ll want to shop around on prices. It’s not always the most expensive BJJ gyms that are the best. Many also offer discounts for longer memberships, or if multiple people sign up at the same time – so if you’ve got a friend who also wants to train, or a partner, bring them along too.
Learn More: How Long Does it Take to Get a BJJ Blue Belt?
What Other Costs Are There in BJJ?
The cost of Jiu Jitsu classes isn’t the only cost involved in BJJ. We don’t want to put you off BJJ, of course! But you should know what to expect if you’re thinking about starting BJJ.
Here are some of the other costs of doing Jiu Jitsu.
BJJ Gear
Training equipment is the biggest expense in Jiu Jitsu outside of class fees.
BJJ Gis can be expensive – good quality Gis are generally $100 and above (although you can find decent options in the $50-$100 range as well).
The good news is, you only need to spend this much once or twice. As long as you buy a high-quality Gi, it should last you several years at least. All you really need is at least two Gis to rotate throughout the week.
You’ll need a belt, too. These generally cost around $20, though a lot of the time when you buy a Gi, it will come with a free belt as well.
You’ll also need a rash guard and No-Gi shorts, which are quite a bit cheaper than Gis.
On top of that, there’s a lot of gear that you don’t need, but you may want to get to enhance your training experience. This includes:
- Spats (compression pants)
- Headgear
- Cup
- Knee/joint braces
Further Reading: How Much Does a BJJ Gi Cost?
Competitions
If you plan to compete, you’ll need to factor in competition fees.
You don’t need to be a serious, full-time athlete to enter Jiu Jitsu competitions. It’s common for all kinds of people to compete in Jiu Jitsu, and it’s a great way to test your skills and accelerate your progress.
Competition fees vary, but are generally around $50, give or take.
Supplements
Supplements are definitely not a necessity. If you’re on a budget, don’t think you need go out and spend money on vitamins or protein powders.
However, supplements do help, in many different ways. You can take supplements for an energy boost, to keep your joints healthy, improve recovery and muscle growth, and much more.
We’re not talking steroids or any crazy stimulant-filled pre-workouts, either. Simple, widely-used supplements like fish oil, collagen, and whey protein can be very beneficial.
Again, it’s definitely not a required cost of doing Jiu Jitsu, but most people will take some kind of supplement at some point.
Medical Care
Again, we’re not trying to scare you – promise! But you should consider the possibility of medical care when you do Jiu Jitsu.
Accidents happen, sometimes you don’t tap fast enough, sometimes you fall awkwardly. You might not warm up enough, and strain a muscle.
Consider that you’ll probably need to visit the doctor at some point as a result of Jiu Jitsu. And there’s a chance you’ll get a more serious injury at some point as well, such as a break or an injury that requires surgery.
What is the Overall Cost of Doing BJJ?
The overall cost will definitely vary from person to person. It depends a lot on where you train, as well as how much you want to invest in your training.
At a minimum, consider around $75-$100 per month for classes, plus maybe $150 on gear and minor expenses per year, putting the cost at $1050 per year, on the low end.
You may be able to save a little on this if your gym offers a discount for long-term memberships (although that figure takes a very low monthly fee into account in the first place).
In locations with a higher cost of living, you can expect it to be closer to $2500 per year, in addition to whatever you want to spend on gear, supplements, and competition fees.
Is BJJ Expensive?
Whether or not BJJ is expensive definitely depends on your perspective. For some, $1000 per year is very minor in the grand scheme of things. Yet for someone living paycheck to paycheck, this may be very expensive.
Compared to many other martial arts, BJJ is actually quite affordable. If you look at the cost over a longer period of time, it seems expensive, but broken down month by month, it’s good value for money.
Final Thoughts
Nothing good in life is free. So it stands to reason that one of the best things in life – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – comes with certain costs associated.
If you’re thinking about starting Jiu Jitsu, consider these costs. The biggest being monthly/annual class fees, a cost that is really unavoidable if you want to get decent coaching.
If you’re on a budget, shop around and you’ll probably be able to find a school with a decent price. Many people run schools just because they love Jiu Jitsu and want to share that love with the rest of the world, rather than to make a profit. So you may be able to find a school with affordable fees that doesn’t take up half of your paycheck.
