Congrats on your promotion!

I think the total amount of money I spent might total around $2k? I've been fortunate and disciplined enough over the years to train myself, and/or train others in exchange for mat time and instruction.

Taking this into account, I've actually made money getting to black belt.

Would be impossible to make the calculation but my overall guess is that I've profited from it all the way through. As in, I started an academy as blue belt that was my main income for 15 years. And most of the seminars, competitions, camps, etc. that I have participated in, I've hosted them myself and most of the times at least broken even. I've never paid a membership to an academy, an affiliation fee. Most competitions I've attended has been paid for by the academy in the role of coach.

That is a great question.
No idea but I'm sure I've spent a shit ton on everything. Just on Gi's alone I've spent thousands
Of course more than half of my jiu jitsu life cost me nothing other than time.

I think what I’ve paid for in memberships from white and blue (and affiliation after that) I made back in coaching from blue/purple to now.

Injury wise I’ve been very lucky, right up until the class before the black belt …almost made it!

Lot's of time obviously, started in 2003... money wise - also probably net profit as I've operated an academy since I was a whitebelt, never earned much of a "salary" but had my academy pay for all training related costs and equipment etc.

Until purple Belt I spent just the monthly fee and GI's and some extra fee for competitions. Not a big deal. After Brown Belt things become more serious for me and I decided to invest much more in seminars, camps, etc... In Brown Belt also I also invest in private classes to refine and eliminate some gaps I thought I need to improve. Also, in Brown belt moved from Checkmate to Exclusive that was like semi-private classes. I think during my 5 years as Brown Belt I probably expend 20.000 dollars. From white to purple I think only 5.000 overall. I think every penny worth.

Amazon has them pretty cheap

I guess I could try to guesstimate the price of classes, Gi, tournaments etc, but that would just be depressing. I will say that I could never imagine a better investment of that money regardless of what it was. That to me is the real worth of the energy and pain and sacrifice to learn just a small portion of this art. I’ve been through some trying times in life and I would not know where I would be without my faithful dojo mates who were always there for me.

The cost whatever it was was worth it without a doubt.

A more interesting question might be, what has it cost, helping other people get their black belts, and start their schools, etc.

Not a Black Belt yet, but I've probably spent just under $10K so far.

Years of time and dedication is what it cost me. Friendships and jobs, Vacation time, Missed birthdays, anniversaries, missed parties and vacations.
aside of the money that we probably all spent on feeding this lil addiction of our.... What is really the cost?? This is my therapy and Ive signed up for a long term session... so thats my cost.

$23.99 if I remember correctly, Amazon special. Really nice contrast stitching actually. All jokes aside…it is not something I like to think about lol. It hurts to see it written down haha

I’m going to take a stab at this.
Time: Almost 11 years.
Training: 3-4 sessions a week = around 2000 classes.
Tuition: $20,460
Seminar: $2000
Gi’s/equipment: $2,500
Broken fingers, torn rib cartilage, popped left elbow, many strained knee ligaments, and way to many Contusions to count.

= 1 Black Belt.
Wouldn’t change a thing.

Awesome!
Congratulations on your promotion. What a journey!!!

The cost was lots of time, money, mental and physical anguish, blood, sweat, and tears. I have learned alot about myself. It’s all been worth it. I gained so much for what i gave. Aside from my family, this is what keeps me persevering. I started the journey alone. No friend started with me. I accomplished my goal by being stubborn. I did not quit but I saw so many that did disappear. Now I focus on helping other folks on their journey.

Gym fees were probably 1500 CAD for ten years (I have taught since then so haven't paid.) Let's guess three seminars a year during those years at $100 per. so thats another $3000. I have probably owned 15 gis. Lets call that $2,250. Let's just toss in another 1,500 for drop in fees at various gyms over the years. I have visited 40+ academies to I can't be sure. I also spent $60/month for judo and that's been about 8 years, so $5,750 for that.I am just going to guesstimate 2000 MMA and no-gi gear.

29,500 total.

I have made about $3000, off jiu jitsu by writing for a website and teaching a handful of private lessons. So:

26,500 Net cost.

At today's exchange rate thats $21, 065.19 US

I want to tell you folks that I have what my wife considers a ridiculous guitar collection and it is only worth about half that. This is not a cheap hobby.

Just got promoted to Black Belt yesterday so I’m still at just under $10K. Great investment in my opinion.

That sounds so hardcore
The average gym is about 60€ a month which which would be 720€ a year x 10 years that would be close to 8000 US
But we have gyms that are way cheaper than 60€ a month.
I understand that Jiu Jitsu is a very costly sport in the US
I hope it’s not that expensive in Brasil or other countries. Being a Skateboarder where everything is Free of charge it sounds crazy expensive but
Ok at my peak times I had two boards per month and at least two pairs of shoes destroyed every month so yeah a solid passion costs good money.
I was lucky to get sponsored in skateboarding but I guess in Jui Jitsu there is not so much sponsorship going on ?