Is $200.00 a month a lot for BJJ classes?

Question

I've been taking BJJ for 8 months now. I just got my white belt 3rd stripe last month. I was in the beginner class (no rolling) but now Im eligable to take the intermediate classes but I have to pay more.

I was paying: $120.00 + tax = $135.60 per month (unlimited classes - 2year contract)

I thought that was already a bit expensive but fine.

Now they want: $199.00 + tax = $224.87 per month (unlimited classes- sign a new 2year contract)

They also want a $199.00 initial payment on top of that to take the intermediate class. (thats not for a gi or anything either, just an extra charge)


$225.00 per month just seems like a lot to me for taking BJJ classes. All other gyms in my city are around $100.00 bucks. I don't want to change gyms though since I started here. The location is also convenient since its walking distance from my home. But still, eventhough I can afford it, I feel like I'm getting played if I do.

Would you pay this much? Do you think its reasonable or is it kind of expensive?

Answer 1

I notice you're in Canada; whereabouts? I also noticed you're at 13% sales tax so I'm guessing Ontario; can you post the place's (gym) website?



I live in Toronto and while I don't know what everyone charges, I do know that 224.87/month is stupid expensive. Without knowing the gym I would say you could probably sign up at at least two very good schools in the area and still spend less.

Answer 2

Mine is $82.50 Australian Dollars which is like $100 over where you are and with that $82.50 if I had the time these are the classes that are available to me 9 BJJ classes 2 Muay Thai Classes 1 Boxing Class 1 Submission Wrestling Class Weights Gym Cardio Gym But since I have other things to do I only do 6 BJJ classes 2 Muay Thai Classes 1 Boxing Class 1 Submission Wrestling Class I use the Weights Gym 3 times a week. I get trained by a Multiple World Champion in BJJ Also a Muay Thai Champ and a Boxing Champ.

Answer 3

If it was up to me, it would be dependant on a few factors.



1/ Instructor- I do judo and train under a second degree black belt. I get charged $30 a month. My friend trains under a sixth degree ex-olympian black belt. He gets charged $85 a month. More qualified teacher = more expensive.



2/ Location- Rent in the Central Business District is probably going to cost more than training in a suburban area.



3/ Opening hours/facilities - I know gyms which open 24/7 and offers classes more than 25 classes

per day from 6:00am - 11:30pm along with unlimited use of the bags/eights/cardio machines. This added convience is bound to cost a person more due to obvious factors such as electricity, amount of instructors etc



Generally speaking though, unless your gym features top notch instructors, lots of sessions and is featured in the middle of the city, I would say that it is VERY expensive. Normal BJJ classes I've seen are around $15 a pop or $100 unlimited. Also, the fact that obtaining three stripes in eight months come off as kind of fast. I don't want to doubt your ability, but I have a friend who goes to Gracie Barra's and the instructor there told me that the average time for ONE strip is half a year.

Answer 4

Sounds pretty damn expensive to me.



I would be INCREDIBLY skeptical about a BJJ class with no rolling. I have never heard of that, rolling is essential period. You pair white belts up with more experienced guys and guys around their level, but they roll period.



I would stay away from this place and find another. So in order to roll they want you to pay more, AND sign a new contract?



Typical BJJ classes are about 100 to 150 at most, and that is at top gyms with legit blackbelts. The contracts are usually shorter than 2 years but it isn't unheard of. (The BJJ school I go to has 2 year contracts).



I absolutely think you are getting played. An increase in dues, plus a new contract? That is bullyouknowwhat.



Now I can see if they did an increase in dues because it covered some sort of insurance coverage for you. (Though 79 bucks a month for insurance is incredibly steep, IBJJF charges you 50 for the year I believe for membership that included insurance coverage for competetion). Lets say for arguments sake it was to cover some sort of insurance liability.. there shouldn't be a new contract drawn up.. they should honor your original 2 year contract.



The initial price you were paying is about the norm for BJJ period, 120 bucks isn't too bad and is about average. But I don't know any place that charges you more just to roll, and that charges you 225 bucks a month WITH a contract. Some schools offer better deals with contracts than without.. i.e. 180 bucks a month with no contract, 100 bucks a month with a 2 year contract, etc. But 225 with a 2 year contract... get the hell away from there. That is highway robbery.



And the fact that they have done ANY progression, even a stripe without you so much as rolling... that is SKETCHY to a high degree.



I would leave that place quick fast and in a hurry. I would see what I can do about getting out of my contract if under one still. Hell against a place like that I might be willing to stop payment via my account, let it go into collections and do a settlement just to get the hell away from there and train at another school.



I'd also report this school to the better business bureau. Bring it up on as many websites as possible.



http://www.bullshido.net

http://www.subfighter.com

http://www.ibjjf.org



Whomever this school is affiliated with.. be it Alliance, Gracie, Machado, Nova Uniao etc. I would email the home organization about this school as well. I'd check to ensure he is a legit blackbelt as well: http://www.ibjjf.org/blackbelts.htm



Seriously.

Answer 5

$200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats outrageous! Thievery even. I've NEVER seen ANY gym cost that much a month for training.



A legitimate BJJ gym would cost 100 max with no beginner or intermediate classes at all.



Wow , doesn't matter if they are good at teaching you, asking for more money for advanced training is ridicules. I've NEVER seen any gym do that before.

Answer 6

Sounds extraordinarily high in my opinion. It seems like a very dishonest practice since they require you to sign a new contract just to take the next level class. It kind of locks you into a constant string of contract extensions everytime you are "ready" for the next level. It seems to take advantage of a psychological concept called "cognitive dissonance", which is a way the mind can try to justify a bad decision.



Unfortunately, it looks like you are locked in for the remainder of your contract, but I would not sign back up.

Answer 7

That's a freaking car payment.

Answer 8

That is outrageous in my opinion. When did the ATA start teaching BJJ lol?

Answer 9

first of all every one should be able to roll no matter what exept for injury and i think thats very expensive

Answer 10

Well it depends if the QUALITY of training is worth it to u.

Answer 11

No way am i paying that much.

Answer 12

200/month???????????????



DavidE i completely agree with you