How much are jiu jitsu classes?

Jiu jitsu classes typically cost between $120 and $200 per month in the United States, though prices range from as low as $20 monthly in Brazil to over $300 at elite gyms in major cities. We analyzed BJJ pricing across seven countries and found that location, gym reputation, and local cost of living matter more than instruction quality when determining price.

Understanding what you'll actually pay for BJJ training requires looking at real data from gyms worldwide. We researched pricing at dozens of academies across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia to give you accurate expectations for your area.

Higher prices don't guarantee better instruction. A $250 monthly gym in Manhattan might offer the same quality training as a $120 gym in a smaller city. The difference usually reflects rent costs and local economics, not teaching ability.

This guide presents our complete pricing research by country, explains what drives costs up or down, and helps you evaluate whether a gym's price makes sense.

Our research methodology

We analyzed BJJ gym pricing across multiple countries by examining membership rates at franchise academies, independent gyms, and community programs. Our research included publicly available pricing from gym websites, membership structures, and community discussions about actual costs practitioners pay.

We focused on adult unlimited membership prices, which represent the most common membership type for serious practitioners. Where gyms offered multiple tiers, we recorded both limited and unlimited options to show the full pricing spectrum.

The data reflects 2025 pricing and accounts for different currencies and local economic conditions. We converted all prices to USD where helpful for comparison, but present local currency first since that's what you'll actually pay.

Global BJJ pricing overview

Here's what our research found for typical monthly adult memberships across major BJJ training markets:

The price differences between countries are dramatic. Brazilian practitioners pay a fraction of what Americans or Australians pay, yet Brazil produces more world champions than any other country. This proves that price and quality don't correlate as much as many assume.

Most expensive vs cheapest BJJ classes globally

The gap between the world's most and least expensive BJJ training is massive. You can train at a legitimate Brazilian gym for less than a single drop-in class costs in Manhattan.

Anthony Hunter travels to London to compare two different BJJ experiences, one of the cheapest BJJ gyms in the city and one of the most historic, premium grappling academies in the UK.

The most expensive gyms sit in major metropolitan areas with high rent costs. Elite competition academies in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and San Francisco charge $250–$300+ monthly. These gyms are run by famous coaches or world champions and often have large, modern facilities.

The cheapest legitimate training exists in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Community programs and smaller gyms offer monthly memberships for $20–$40 USD equivalent. Some Brazilian social projects provide training for as little as R$20 ($4 USD) monthly, making BJJ accessible to everyone regardless of income.

This price difference rarely reflects teaching quality. Many world champions trained at affordable Brazilian gyms before the sport became expensive internationally. The price primarily reflects local economics and rent costs, not instruction value.

United States pricing breakdown

Our research found that BJJ is one of the more expensive martial arts in America. Over 85% of U.S. gyms charge above $100 monthly for adults. The nationwide average for unlimited classes sits around $145 per month, with most academies charging between $120 and $200.

Major city pricing: Location drives most price variance in America. New York City and Los Angeles academies commonly charge $200+ monthly. We found averages around $250/month in Manhattan and $220 in Los Angeles for full access to established academies. San Francisco, Seattle, and other high-cost cities show similar pricing at $200–$250 for prominent gyms.

Smaller cities and rural areas: The same quality training costs significantly less outside major metros. Mid-sized city gyms typically charge $120–$150 monthly for unlimited training. Rural areas can be even cheaper. We found reputable gyms in smaller Midwest towns charging under $100 monthly for similar class offerings to their big-city counterparts.

Elite competition academies: The top tier of American BJJ sits at $250–$300 monthly. Famous competition teams like Atos, B-Team, and academies run by world champions charge these premium rates. These prices typically represent month-to-month rates. Committing to longer memberships or limited attendance plans reduces monthly costs.

Franchise vs independent: Large franchise networks like Gracie Barra tend toward higher pricing, often $195–$250+ in prime locations. Independent gyms have more pricing flexibility and might charge $100–$150 in the same city where franchises charge $180–$200.

United Kingdom pricing breakdown

UK pricing ranges from £80 to £140 monthly for unlimited adult training. London anchors the high end of this range, while smaller cities offer more affordable options.

London pricing: Central London academies typically charge £120–£150 for unlimited monthly access. We found examples like London Fight Factory at £150/month for their unlimited membership with gym access included. Many London gyms structure tiered pricing: limited memberships (2-3 classes weekly) for £75–£120 and unlimited for £140+.

Outside London: Regional cities and towns show substantially lower prices at £50–£100 monthly. Edinburgh gyms like Playfair Jiu Jitsu offer unlimited adult training for £80 monthly. Smaller English towns see unlimited rates around £60–£75.

Suburban vs central: Even within London's metro area, suburban clubs or community programs charge less than Zone 1 academies. The price reflects rent differences more than instruction quality.

Brazil pricing breakdown

Brazilian pricing creates the most dramatic contrast with Western markets. Training costs significantly less in local currency, though this reflects local income levels rather than training quality.

Typical pricing: Most Brazilian academies charge R$100 to R$300 monthly for adults, approximately $20–$60 USD. Mid-range gyms cluster around R$200–$250 monthly. For example, Alliance São Paulo lists standard adult rates at R$300/month, roughly $60 USD, making quality training accessible to Brazil's middle class.

Regional variations: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro command the highest Brazilian prices as economic centers. Smaller cities charge less, often R$150–$200 for unlimited training. Interior regions and smaller towns can be even cheaper.

Elite academies: Upscale São Paulo or Rio gyms charge premium Brazilian rates. We found examples of legendary gyms charging R$821 monthly (approximately $160 USD) for unlimited classes. These higher-end academies often cater to professionals or visiting foreigners and offer amenities like air conditioning and English-speaking instructors.

Social programs: Brazil's commitment to accessible BJJ shows in community programs charging as little as R$20 monthly, making world-class martial arts training available regardless of economic status.

Canada pricing breakdown

Canadian pricing mirrors U.S. rates when accounting for currency. Major cities see memberships in the C$150–$200 range, with smaller areas slightly less.

Major cities: Toronto typically charges C$150–$180 monthly for unlimited classes. Vancouver, with its high cost of living, shows similar or higher rates at C$180–$200 monthly for top academies. Montreal and Calgary sit in the C$120–$160 range depending on the gym.

Payment structures: Many Canadian gyms offer significant discounts for annual commitments. We found examples where month-to-month rates approached C$250, but annual commitments dropped the effective rate to C$175 monthly. This pattern encourages long-term membership while giving gyms predictable revenue.

Regional differences: Downtown locations in large cities cost the most, often exceeding C$170. Suburbs and smaller cities offer more affordable options at C$100–$130 monthly for unlimited classes from independent gyms.

Australia pricing breakdown

Australian gyms often price memberships weekly rather than monthly. The typical range is A$45 to A$65 per week for unlimited training, working out to roughly A$180–$260 monthly.

Sydney and Melbourne: Major city pricing sits at the high end globally when converted to USD. Sydney gyms commonly charge A$200–$250+ monthly for unlimited access. We found central Sydney academies at A$55/week (~A$238/month), with popular gyms around A$50/week on six-month contracts.

Weekly billing: Because of weekly billing, Australians often quote costs in weekly terms (like "$50 a week"), which can seem less daunting than the full monthly total. This pricing structure with direct-debit contracts for 3, 6, or 12 months encourages longer commitments through reduced weekly rates.

Regional areas: Outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, pricing drops considerably. Regional Australian cities offer BJJ for A$30–$40 weekly, roughly A$120–$160 monthly.

Germany pricing breakdown

German BJJ pricing shows wide variation because training happens both in commercial gyms and non-profit sports clubs (Vereine).

Commercial academies: Urban commercial BJJ academies typically charge €100–€130 monthly for unlimited access. Berlin gyms can reach €180 for month-to-month plans, though committing to annual memberships drops rates to €99–€120 monthly.

Sports clubs: Community sports associations offer BJJ at significantly lower rates, often €30–€60 monthly. These club-based programs keep fees minimal but might meet less frequently or share training space.

City variations: Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt show the highest commercial gym rates at €100+ for unlimited training. Smaller cities and towns, especially those with club-based training through Turnvereine, can be extremely affordable at under €50 monthly.

Japan pricing breakdown

Japanese BJJ pricing is moderate by Tokyo standards. Full-time adult memberships typically cost ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 monthly, approximately $70–$100 USD.

Tokyo pricing: Major Tokyo academies like Tri-Force BJJ list unlimited training at ¥15,000 monthly. Some gyms offer limited plans (four classes monthly) at ¥13,000 for hobbyists. Elite programs and franchise academies can reach ¥18,000 monthly (roughly $120 USD).

Enrollment fees: Japanese gyms commonly charge one-time enrollment fees of ¥5,000 to ¥20,000. Factor these initial costs when budgeting for training.

Drop-in rates: Visitors typically pay ¥3,000–¥5,000 per class for non-member access. Some gym networks allow members to train at affiliated locations for reduced drop-in fees of around ¥1,000.

What affects jiu jitsu class prices?

Location and cost of living

Location determines price more than any other factor. Gyms pay rent based on local real estate markets. A 2,000 square foot training space costs dramatically different amounts in Manhattan versus rural Nebraska. These overhead costs translate directly to membership prices.

Urban gyms in expensive neighborhoods charge premium prices because operating costs are higher. This doesn't indicate better training. It indicates higher rent, utilities, and insurance costs. A gym in an expensive city must charge more to survive, regardless of instruction quality.

The pattern holds globally. London costs more than rural England. Tokyo costs more than smaller Japanese cities. São Paulo costs more than Brazilian interior towns. This reflects local economics, not training value.

Gym reputation and instructors

Gym reputation affects pricing, though less dramatically than location. An academy run by a world champion might charge $20–$50 more monthly than a gym run by a regular black belt.

Elite competition teams justify premium pricing through their pedigree. Gyms producing world champions and IBJJF medalists charge $250–$300 monthly because students pay for access to top-level training partners and coaching. These academies deliver genuine value for competitors, though recreational practitioners might not benefit proportionally from the higher cost.

What matters more than instructor fame is teaching ability and student development. A lesser-known black belt who produces solid students might offer better value than a famous name who rarely teaches. Evaluate gyms on actual instruction quality, not just name recognition.

Affiliation and franchise status

Major BJJ franchises like Gracie Barra, Alliance, Checkmat, and others typically charge higher rates than independent gyms. Franchise membership brings standardized curriculum, recognized lineage, and sometimes additional costs like required uniforms or association dues.

Franchise academies often charge $20–$50 more monthly than independent gyms in the same city. This premium reflects brand value, franchise fees, and the selling point of training under a famous team's banner. Whether this justifies extra cost depends on what you value. Some practitioners prefer franchise standardization. Others prefer independent gyms' flexibility and lower costs.

Independent local gyms set prices based on local market conditions. They often undercut larger academies to attract students, operating with lower overhead in shared spaces or less expensive locations.

Facilities and amenities

Facility quality creates pricing variation. Gyms with new mats, modern showers, dedicated strength training areas, and ample space charge more than basic warehouses with older mats.

Quality amenities can add $30–$70 to monthly costs. Some practitioners value showers, changing rooms, and extra training equipment highly. Others prefer training at basic gyms focusing resources on instruction rather than facilities.

Cleanliness matters more than newness. A well-maintained older gym beats a neglected fancy facility. Check daily mat cleaning and shower maintenance when evaluating gyms.

Membership type and frequency

Most gyms offer tiered pricing based on class access. Unlimited memberships provide access to all classes and typically cost $30–$60 more monthly than limited packages restricting you to 2-3 classes weekly.

For beginners, limited memberships often suffice. Your body needs recovery time, and attending more than three times weekly early in training can lead to overtraining. As you progress, unlimited access becomes more valuable for serious development.

What you actually get for your money

Class schedule and access

Unlimited memberships typically include access to all scheduled classes, usually 5-7 days weekly at established academies. This means you can train as frequently as your body allows and schedule permits.

Limited memberships restrict attendance to specific numbers of classes weekly or monthly. These work well for casual practitioners or beginners still developing training tolerance.

Open mat sessions let you drill and roll freely without structured instruction. Most gyms include open mat access in membership fees, providing valuable practice time beyond regular classes.

Additional benefits

Higher-priced gyms often include amenities beyond BJJ classes. These might include strength and conditioning areas, multiple martial arts access, equipment storage, or professional facilities. Whether these extras justify higher costs depends on whether you'll actually use them.

Some gyms provide access to multiple locations if you travel or have flexible training locations. Others include regular seminars with visiting instructors at no extra cost. Evaluate whether included benefits match your training needs.

Training partners and atmosphere

Price affects gym size and student quality indirectly. More expensive gyms in major cities often attract serious practitioners, creating a competitive training environment. Cheaper gyms might have fewer students or less consistent attendance, affecting available training partners.

However, expensive doesn't guarantee better training partners. Many affordable gyms in smaller cities have dedicated student bases and competitive teams. Visit gyms to evaluate the actual training environment rather than assuming price indicates training partner quality.

Does expensive mean better?

Our research found no consistent correlation between price and instruction quality. Many factors unrelated to teaching excellence affect pricing.

The best gym in your area might be the most expensive. It also might be the cheapest. Price correlates weakly with instruction quality once you account for location and overhead costs.

Some world-class instructors charge premium prices because they can. Others charge average rates because they prioritize accessible training over maximizing profit. Some expensive gyms justify costs through exceptional instruction. Others coast on reputation or location advantages.

Focus on factors actually indicating quality: instructor credentials, student competition success, training atmosphere, and whether teaching style suits your learning preferences. Visit multiple gyms regardless of price to find the best fit.

Brazilian BJJ proves this point definitively. The country produces more world champions than anywhere else despite having the world's lowest training costs. Technique, dedication, and quality instruction matter infinitely more than monthly membership price.

Hidden costs beyond monthly fees

Equipment and gear

You need at least one gi to start training. Starter gis cost $60–$100. Most practitioners eventually own 2-3 gis to rotate between sessions, adding $120–$300 to initial costs.

No-gi training requires rash guards ($30–$60) and shorts ($40–$70). Even if you train primarily gi, you'll probably want these for no-gi classes.

Mouthguards ($10–$30) protect your teeth. Some practitioners invest in ear guards ($15–$40) to prevent cauliflower ear. For detailed information about protecting your ears, check our guide on BJJ ear protection.

Seminars and private lessons

Seminars with visiting instructors cost $50–$150. Most gyms host several seminars yearly. These optional but valuable learning opportunities add to annual training costs if you attend regularly.

Private lessons cost $75–$150 per hour. While not required, occasional private instruction accelerates progress, especially for beginners struggling with fundamental concepts.

Competition costs

Competition entry fees range from $80–$150 per tournament. If you compete regularly, budget $300–$600 yearly for entry fees.

Travel costs for tournaments add significantly if you compete seriously. Hotel, transportation, and food for a weekend tournament easily costs $300–600 depending on distance.

Competition isn't mandatory. Many practitioners train purely for fitness and self-defense without competing. But if competition interests you, factor these costs into your BJJ budget.

How to evaluate if a gym's price is worth it

Price alone reveals little about value. Use these criteria to evaluate whether a gym justifies its cost:

Teaching quality: Does the instructor explain techniques clearly? Do they provide individual attention? Are students progressing and developing solid fundamentals?

Training environment: Is the atmosphere supportive? Do students train with good control? Does the gym culture align with your goals?

Schedule convenience: Can you actually attend classes given the schedule? A cheaper gym you can visit twice weekly provides less value than a convenient gym you'll attend four times weekly.

Cleanliness and safety: Are mats cleaned daily? Is equipment maintained? Do students follow basic hygiene rules as covered in our guide on BJJ etiquette and gym rules?

Student success: Are students progressing? Do they perform well in competitions if that matters to you? Do higher belts demonstrate solid technique?

Most gyms offer trial periods or introductory packages. Take advantage of these to evaluate value before committing to long-term membership. Our article on finding the right jiu-jitsu gym provides detailed guidance on evaluating academies.

Visit multiple gyms in your area regardless of price. The best value might be the most expensive gym, the cheapest gym, or something in between. You won't know until you experience each gym's training environment.

Ways to save money on BJJ training

Limited memberships

If you're beginning or have time constraints, limited membership packages cost less while providing sufficient training frequency for steady progress. Most beginners train 2-3 times weekly anyway, making unlimited memberships unnecessary initially.

Long-term commitments

Many gyms discount rates 10-20% for annual commitments versus month-to-month payments. Our research found examples where month-to-month rates exceeded C$250 monthly but annual commitments dropped effective costs to C$175 monthly.

Only commit long-term after confirming you enjoy the gym. Most academies offer trial periods or short-term memberships first.

Family and group discounts

Training with family members or friends often qualifies for discounted rates. Some gyms offer 20-30% off additional family members. We found UK examples where family packages (one adult plus one child) saved nearly £30 monthly compared to separate memberships.

Student and military discounts

If you're a student or military member, ask about discounts. Many gyms offer $20–$40 monthly reductions for these groups. Not all gyms advertise these discounts, so always ask.

Off-peak memberships

Some gyms offer cheaper memberships restricted to daytime or limited hours. These work well if your schedule is flexible. The price reduction can be substantial for access that still meets your training needs.

Buy used equipment

Purchase used gis through Facebook groups or gym bulletin boards. Used gis in good condition cost 40-60% less than new ones. Most BJJ gis last years with proper care, making used equipment a smart choice.

Making the decision

Our research shows BJJ pricing varies dramatically by location, but quality instruction exists at every price point. Budget $100–$200 monthly for training in most Western countries, plus $200–$400 in initial equipment costs.

Don't let price be your only decision factor. The cheapest gym might be perfect. So might the most expensive. Focus on finding good instruction, a supportive environment, and a schedule that works for your life.

Most people find BJJ worth the investment. The physical fitness, self-defense skills, mental benefits, and social connections provide value beyond the monthly cost. But choose a gym and price point that fits your budget and goals.

If you're new to BJJ and wondering what to expect, read our comprehensive guide on what is BJJ and why should you practice it to understand what you're getting into. For first-time students, check our article on preparing for your first jiu-jitsu class.

Start by visiting gyms in your area. Most offer free trial classes. Experience the training before worrying too much about price. You might find an affordable gym you love or decide a pricier option is worth it. Either way, you'll make an informed decision based on actual experience rather than assumptions.

The investment in BJJ pays dividends in health, skills, and community for years to come. Find a gym that fits your budget and start training.