If there’s one thing you need to consider before you start your BJJ training it’s the cost. How much money do you need to set aside for the gym fees, accessories, and necessary equipment and outfits? Whether you need to invest in a Gi or not. And how long it would take. These are all questions you need to answer first.
The three most costly aspects of BJJ training are the school fees, Gi cost, and mouthguard price. These are the basic necessities you’ll need to cover. On average you’d have to pay around $200 a month for classes, and both the Gi and mouthguard could set you back another $200. So the first year of BJJ training needs about $1600.
Of course, costs vary not just from one part of the world to another, but also from one city in the same country to the next. If you live in New York City, the class fees might be a lot more expensive than if you were living in Danbury, Connecticut that recently renamed its sewage plant after John Oliver as a tourist stunt. You could also shop online and find cheaper Gi and mouthguards. So let’s break down the cost of BJJ training for you.
Academy Fees
Whether you call it an academy, a school, or a gym, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the fees you will be paying on a monthly basis will gobble up the biggest chunk of your budget. Even a small gym on the top floor of a rundown building with hardly any facilities will still cost you a dear penny. Think of it as rent. You have to pay it every month otherwise you cannot take part in the training.
But it doesn’t have to be every month. Some schools would charge you every two weeks. Others would encourage you to pay for the whole year at a good discount. It’s really up to you what package you choose or the payment scheme you prefer. Of course, if you pay a whole year in advance you can’t be sure if you’ll stay in the same gym or not. It’s a trade-off between saving money and commitment.
Most people prefer to pay the school bills month by month. That way if things don’t go well in that academy, they can just move by the end of the month to another one that they feel comfortable in. This works best since BJJ schools are not regulated and each operates according to the style of the teacher or teachers that run it. The downside to this is that you can’t know for sure if the style of this teacher or the rules of this school will suit you or not. Not until you have paid the fees and attended a few classes.
In addition to these regular fees, there are other hidden fees you need to be aware of. Joining fees are not uncommon. That’s a one-time fee you pay in advance when you first sign up with the academy. Then there are grading fees that cover the exams and promotions. Keep in mind that not all schools charge these fees. So it’s a good idea to ask in advance before you join.
Cost of Clothes
The outfits and clothes you’ll need in your BJJ training vary as well. Not just from one country to the next but from one gym to the next. Some gyms would only let you train if you have Gi, others are not that strict and will let you train in whatever outfit you like. So again before you invest a hefty sum in an expensive Gi, make sure to ask your teacher about the school uniform rules.
The Gi is by far the most expensive item of clothing you’ll purchase. Its price varies depending on the quality of the material. You can get one for as low as $80 which has the average quality and might not last long. A good Gi protects you during grappling and sparring. So if you can afford it, look for one that’s above $140. These will last your whole training and can stay in good condition for years.
So what if your gym or teacher doesn’t require a Gi? That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You still need to get an outfit for training. Usually, that outfit would be a rashguard and shorts. Your teacher might also require you to get leggings. Put together, all these items could add up to the price of a good quality Gi. That cost might even go up if you have to buy a specific brand or purchase items of clothing that carry the logo of the academy.
Mouthguard
The other basic item that you’ll need to invest in for your BJJ training is the mouthguard. We wrote before about the necessity of the mouthguard for every BJJ player from the white belt novice to the black belt expert. Just ask any veteran of the sport and they’ll tell you horror stories about the time they went training without their mouthguard and ended up with chipped teeth. So yeah, that’s something you want to include in your calculations.
There are different types of mouthguards as we have explained in another post. Before you jump on the cheapest one you can find online and think you got a good bargain, think of how suitable they are. Not all mouthguards would fit in your mouth. Some will press your teeth while others will stick out and push your lips outward. Then there are those that will keep slipping and right when you think you got your opponent pinned down, out comes your mouthguard.
The most expensive ones are the mouthguards you get at your dentist. These are usually custom made and will fit you perfectly. The dentist will take your measurements and have a mouthguard tailor-made that takes your jaw and teeth into account. They are very pricey however and could set you back anything between $300 to $500 a pop.
You could go for the boil and bite type. These are easy to get just about in any sports store. But they don’t last and soon cracks show up which means you’ll have to replace them. They’re also cheap and you can get it for $20 or a little bit more.
Competition Fees
In addition to all the above costs and fees, you also have to pay for competition fees. Competitions are an integral part of your BJJ training. Classes and watching videos alone are not enough to make you a well rounded BJJ player. Sooner or later you’d want to test your skills on the mat in a real-world match. Not to mention that these competitions are necessary for your promotions and progress.
The competition fees are not much but they still count especially if you take part in them regularly. How much each competition will cost you to join depends on the level of the competition. Between gyms or schools in the same neighborhood or part of town, these competitions are usually cheap to enter. But big competitions between cities or across state lines are always expensive.
On average you can expect to fork out anything between $50 to $80 to join a single competition. The good news is, if you’re a black belt or even a brown belt, you would be invited to join for free. Your high ranking gives the competition status and encourages other players to join.
Other Costs and Fees
Along the way and as you take your BJJ training more and more seriously, things will start to happen. By things, I mean seminars, cross-training sessions, and visits to other gyms and academies. The thing about this is, they all cost money. There’s nothing that comes free in this world, so why should we expect BJJ training to be any different?
Seminars are also a part of your training that you need to take seriously. It’s worth it to listen to even discuss the discipline with world-class BJJ players who tour the country giving lectures and talking about their experience. The fees are not high and in most cases, you can attend one for as low as $20. Only the famous champs would charge something between $70 and $100 but they’re superstars so they’re most likely worth it anyway.
You might also need to subscribe to an online forum or website that offers instructional videos. It’s true, not all the good material can be found on Youtube. And even though we try our best to include some great videos in every article, the fact remains that you might need to pay for exceptionally high-quality videos that are only available to subscribed members.