With the growth of mainstream mixed martial arts over the past three decades, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ, has become incredibly popular. Today, more BJJ gyms are opening, and more people are signing up than ever before. But what’s the average price of BJJ classes?
The average price of BJJ classes is around $150 per month. However, depending on the reputation of the school, class prices can be $200+ per month. The location, school’s prestige, length of your contract, and class specialization can impact the cost. For example, the average price for BJJ classes in New York will cost more than the average price in a small town in Indiana.
This article will discuss average BJJ class costs, why some classes cost more than others, the benefits of signing up for BJJ, and if BJJ is truly worth the investment.
Average Monthly Cost Of BJJ Academies
Unlike your average fitness center, BJJ gyms require more commitment and hands-on learning. With that in mind, the payment structure is far different from a monthly Planet Fitness membership, for example.
BJJ memberships almost always operate on a monthly payment basis.
While there’s a fairly large price range for BJJ classes, the average cost of BJJ classes is somewhere between $100-200 USD per month. However, BJJ lessons can cost well beyond $200, or they may be as low as $75 per month.
The price discrepancy might be mind-boggling at first. The truth is, the cost of BJJ classes depends on quite a few factors.
Signing up for BJJ classes requires a hefty investment, so it’s good to know where your money goes. There are three primary ways your class payments are spent:
- The labor hours of the instructor are crucial. They’re likely the most expensive part of the process. If you have a respected, professional coach who’s sought after, it could cost well over $200 or more per month for BJJ classes at that gym. Credibility and expertise are everything, so expect to pay more for a pro-level instructor.
- Keep in your mind you’re also paying to use the equipment. BJJ gyms have to pay for new mats, air conditioning, seats, weights (if they offer them), workout machines, and so on. Many BJJ gyms have workout equipment to make it an all-inclusive experience. Limited-capacity BJJ gyms charge more than open-limit gyms.
- You’re paying for a gym membership. You’ll be working and training with sparring partners, coaches, and more. All gyms charge a fee, so it’s no surprise that your BJJ membership includes a gym fee. Some places offer a price breakdown, which might be worth checking out if you’re unsure where the money is going.
As you can see, there are many reasons Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes cost more than the average workout gym. BJJ is a long-term commitment, especially if you’re trying to work with expert-level coaches.
There are many factors that influence the total, so let’s dive into them in the next section.
Factors That Affect the Average Price of BJJ Classes
People sign up for BJJ classes for various reasons, which will ultimately impact which gym they choose and — as a result — the price tag.
Some sign up for BJJ classes simply as a hobby or to get in shape and have fun. These are the more recreationally oriented BJJ participants. On the other hand, some athletes sign up to learn BJJ with aspirations of being competitive in the sport of BJJ exclusively or simply to add to their mixed martial arts arsenal as a whole.
The best BJJ athletes in the world come from some of the best schools in the world. That’s no accident. Having a highly reputable school behind you can certainly elevate your BJJ game to the next level. Still, everyone doesn’t need to undergo such high-caliber training classes.
Below, we’ll explain five influential factors that determine the cost of your BJJ classes.
The Coach/Instructor Reputation
Certain coaches and schools have almost legendary/mythical status in the world of Jiu-Jitsu due to the number of champions and names they’ve produced.
Many schools also teach unique martial arts philosophy. This has made them somewhat of a subset of BJJ, for example, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, a specific grappling system designed by the legendary Gracie Family. Meanwhile, some BJJ instructors are much less known and gear their training towards hobbyists and newcomers.
Some BJJ athletes outgrow their instructors after several years and seek a more reputable school to continue their progress. This might happen if you are training in a small town but have the dreams to become a top-level BJJ athlete.
If you’re attending classes alongside the top BJJ athletes on the planet in a popular city, you can expect to pay well over $200 per month. If you’re taking classes at an average gym, $150 a month is more reasonable.
The Specialized Focus on BJJ
The next thing to consider is how specialized a gym is in the art of BJJ. Many martial arts schools offer various classes in addition to BJJ, such as boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Muay Thai.
Certain gyms, however, are hyper-specialized in the discipline of BJJ, not offering anything else. Schools or academies teaching BJJ exclusively are more likely to have reputable instructors, which almost guarantees a higher price tag on training.
General martial arts schools that offer multiple types of martial arts are more geared toward hobbyists, sometimes charging lower rates.
Gym Location Is The Biggest Factor That Will Affect The Price Of BJJ Classes
The location of your BJJ gym is one of the most determining factors of cost. Convenience and supply and demand drive up the cost in busy cities. Usually, the average price of BJJ is lower in smaller towns across America. This is simply because a world-renowned BJJ instructor is less likely to move to a small town to start their school.
More than likely someone who might be qualified to teach but never made a big name for themself might move to a town with less competition. That said if they are the only school in the area they might get away with charging more since they have no one to compete with.
Probably the most like place to have a low average price for BJJ classes are small to moderately sized towns with a handful of schools competing with each other.
As it currently stands, some of the most respected and sought-after BJJ gyms in the United States are located in California, a hotbed for BJJ and mixed martial arts enthusiasts. New York and Florida also play host to some of the most respected gyms in the BJJ world.
Gyms in these areas tend to have higher sought-after instructors and more competition pressure, leading to higher prices than those in the non-metropolitan areas. They also likely have much higher rents to pay as well. I’m sure the rent for BJJ schools in Manhattan isn’t cheap.
Note that you’ll have to pay more money for sought-after BJJ gyms in big cities, such as San Francisco, Concord, Los Angeles, and San Diego. If you live in one of these cities expect the average price of BJJ classes to be closer to $200-$250 per month.
You Might Be Able To Lower The Price Of BJJ Classes By Committing To A Longer Contract
Like most purchases, the longer the duration of the contract you lock into, the more money you’ll save over the long term.
Signing up for a long-term BJJ contract is good for the school because it allows them to build reliable clientele. But it’s also beneficial for the signee because it keeps them accountable and ensures they’ll commit to BJJ for a long time, which is what it takes to succeed in the sport.
The typical contract for BJJ lessons will begin at a 3-month commitment period and go up to a year. If you’re willing to commit to a long contract, you’ll save money on the month-to-month price you pay.
Many professional BJJ experts stick with the same gym for many years because they hone their skills with their BJJ professors. Staying with one gym provides price reductions, but don’t get trapped in a long contract if you’re unsure if you’ll like the gym. There is also a chance you might get grandfathered in at a better price by staying put in one gym.
Purchasing Equipment
While purchasing equipment isn’t directly related to BJJ classes’ signup fee, it’s something you need to consider before enrolling. Must-have gear includes mouthguards, knee sleeves, gis, rash guards, etc.
Most schools will sell equipment to their clients for convenience. However, you may need to purchase your gear elsewhere in some instances. So expect to pay some money upfront before enrolling in monthly BJJ classes.
Justification For The Price Of BJJ Academies
Many people see the price of BJJ classes and immediately become deterred and hesitant. If you’re comparing $150 a month to a normal gym membership (which can be <$10), BJJ looks wildly expensive.
The justification lies in the extraordinary benefits that these gyms offer.
We urge those on the fence about whether or not the price of BJJ classes is worth it to take the time and seriously consider the following benefits:
Your Paying To Learn Self Defense
BJJ classes can teach you how to defend yourself. Becoming competent in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will help to ensure that you can protect yourself, your friends, and your family.
From its inception, BJJ intended to teach smaller and physically vulnerable people how to defend themselves against attackers with greater physical prowess.
Unlike other forms of martial arts, which are high impact and offensively aggressive, BJJ is intended to neutralize opponents.
BJJ fighters can consistently overcome larger and stronger opponents by taking the fight to the ground, lessening the size difference. From there, the BJJ athlete can gain a position of ultimate dominance. Learning BJJ can save you from danger and allow you to take charge of your independence. For more on this check out my article: Is BJJ Good For Self-Defense?
Your Paying For Health and Fitness
BJJ is highly competitive and requires you to increase your strength and endurance. Trying to roll with and control your opponent’s body while they try to maintain dominance is very taxing on your body. Just because BJJ might help a smaller person overcome a larger person does not mean you should not try to increase your strength and athletic abilities.
In fact, size and strength are very important in BJJ as well as every other combat system. After all, if the skills of two BJJ practitioners are matched equally, the stronger and more athletic practitioner will have a strong advantage. BJJ can help you increase your strength and endurance.
That’s why BJJ athletes tend to have an incredibly strong grip. Grip strength is necessary for BJJ because it allows you to effectively hold onto and tie up your opponent’s limbs.
Studies have shown that grip strength is a direct indicator of overall strength and health, especially in elderly populations. Your heart health will improve, and you’ll begin to find everyday tasks much easier to perform.
After a few months of consistent BJJ training, your mood, confidence, and physical appearance could improve too.
Friendship and Community
BJJ schools are more than just a gym where you go to work out or spar. They’re also a community and, in many cases, a family. As a new member of a BJJ school, you’ll be taken in as a member of a team. The BJJ community is one of the most encouraging and supporting environments in the world, full of respect.
Many people are intimidated by what it will be like to join a BJJ school as a beginner, where they feel they may be singled out for their lack of knowledge and ability. This is very unlikely to be true unless you have found a very toxic BJJ community. If so then that BJJ school is not worth the money. Luckily there are tons of great BJJ schools across the country to choose from.
You can be sure that you will make bonds and friendships that last a lifetime by becoming a member of the BJJ community.
Conclusion
It turns out that there’s a huge variance in price between BJJ schools, but for a good instructor who’s knowledgeable but not world-renowned, you should expect to pay around $100-150 per month.
This is more than adequate for recreational BJJ athletes just looking to stay in shape. Those with elite-level aspirations in more competitive cities might expect the average cost of BJJ classes to be closer to $200 per month or more.