How much does BJJ cost?

A beginner’s guide to the cost of BJJ gym fees, clothing, equipment and beyond.

A colleague recently asked me how much it costs to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and it got me thinking about all the necessary and optional fees and equipment you’ll need to pay for when starting.

The basic costs associated with BJJ are gym fees, gi and/or no-gi clothing, and a mouthguard. 

In the USA, BJJ costs approximately $160 per month for unlimited jiu jitsu classes, $65 – $130 for a gi, and $20 for a basic mouthguard.

Elsewhere around the world, you can expect to pay the following amounts to start BJJ:

• Australia. Approximately $190 AUD per month for jiu jitsu classes, $110 – $200 AUD for a gi, and $30 AUD for a basic mouthguard. 
• UK. Approximately £100 per month for jiu jitsu classes, £65 – £100 for a gi, and £15 for a basic mouthguard. 

Once you pay for these basics there are other optional gear and expenses associated with BJJ, including competition fees, instructionals and post-training soaps. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for each in the USA, Australia and the UK.

Table of contents

• Gym fees
• Gi / No gi clothing
• Mouthguard
• Competitions
• Other BJJ costs

1. Gym fees

Jiu jitsu gym fees can vary depending on the location of the gym, its facilities, and any other extras it offers e.g MMA, kickboxing or yoga classes. Unfortunately, many BJJ gyms aren’t upfront with their prices on their websites until you call or go in.

Most gyms will charge their gym fees fortnightly or monthly, and for adults, the fees will usually include unlimited classes. In these situations, the more you train, the cheaper each class becomes. Some gyms will also discount the monthly fee if you agree to a 12 month contract.

For example, my gym in Australia costs approximately $180 AUD each month for unlimited BJJ and wrestling classes. If I train a minimum of three times per week this equates to approximately $15 per lesson, but if I use the gym even one other time per week this brings the cost down below $12 per lesson.

The average monthly BJJ gym fee

The below averages are taken from a sample of gyms in each respective country:

Other BJJ gym fees to be aware of

In addition to regular training fees, some gyms will also charge other one-off or annual fees including:

• Joining, membership or affiliate fees. These can cost between $50 – $100 and are usually charged when you first sign up.
• Grading fees. Some gyms will also charge grading fees if they have belt or stripe gradings. 

2. BJJ clothing – gi and no gi

How much does a BJJ gi cost?

You’ll eventually need to purchase the proper clothing for BJJ classes so you can train comfortably and efficiently.

Most BJJ gyms train in the gi, which is basically a heavy cotton jacket, trousers and belt. Some gyms like the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu schools pioneered by Eddie Bravo train exclusively in no gi attire, which is basically a rashguard very similar to what surfers wear, plus no gi shorts.

Gis can vary in price depending on the materials used, the brand and the type of gi e.g regular or competition style. Even budget gis made by a reputable brand will last a while, so check out user reviews and don’t be afraid to buy a cheaper gi when you’re starting out to save your money. If you enjoy BJJ you can always upgrade later. We’ve also got a guide to the best BJJ gis for beginners, competitors and those looking for premium gis if you’re lost.

Below is a summary of what you can expect to pay for budget and more expensive gis in each location. 

How much does no gi gear cost?

As mentioned above, no gi attire is simply a rashguard and board shorts with optional spats (leggings), although some even train in a t-shirt and sports shorts at first. 

Many gyms will require students to wear an official gym rashguard showing their rank, and might even have official boardshorts. Regardless, no gi BJJ clothing can be cheaper than gis and costs on average:

3. Mouthguard

The only other piece of gear which is a necessary for BJJ is a mouthguard. I chipped my teeth twice in my first two years of BJJ, and a training partner did the same. 

Mouthguards can be obtained from sports stores, mouthguard professionals or dentists, and can range in price depending on whether it’s a one-size-fits-all “boil and bite” model or a fully custom mouthguard. 

• Boil and bite. A boil and bite mouthguard just needs to be heated up in boiling water, after which you bite on the mouthguard to get a closer fit.
• Custom mouthguard. A custom mouthguard usually requires you to make an impression of your teeth using a home kit, after which you send it back to the mouthguard company and they’ll send you a finished mouthguard.
• Dentist mouthguard. A dentist will create a professional impression of your teeth and fit the mouthguard for you.

Here’s what you can expect to pay:

These are the primary costs of BJJ, but there are some extra costs to be aware of depending on how far you want to go.

4. Jiu jitsu competitions

Jiu jitsu competitions usually charge entry fees, with early bird discounts for those entering several weeks or months before the competition. Most jiu jitsu competitions will cost approximately $80 – $150 USD/AUD to enter. Some competitions will charge extra fees for entry into open/absolute divisions and for competing in both gi and no gi divisions.

Some competitions like Grappling Industries will also give free entry to black and brown belts to encourage signups.

What are the other costs associated with BJJ?

There are other optional costs associated with BJJ, including:

• Seminars. World class jiu jitsu athletes and instructors are constantly touring the globe giving seminars on their specialities. These can vary depending on the athlete but in general can cost $50 – $200 AUD or USD / £20 – £50.
• Instructional videos. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of instructional videos for different facets of BJJ on websites like BJJ Fanatics. These can cost from $50 – $200 USD depending on the video.
• Tea tree oil soaps. Soaps including essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus and manuka oil are claimed to be anti-fungal. These can supposedly help protect against skin infections common to jiu jitsu like ringworm. Popular brands include Defense Soap and Arm Bar Soap. A bar or bottle of this type of soap can cost approximately $5 – $10 USD ($10 – $15 AUD or £5 – £10).

Did we miss any costs, or do you have any money-saving ideas for learning jiu jitsu? Let us know below!