BJJ gym -- overpriced?

[The Ders]

Jocko & all, 

I'm considering joining a particular MMA gym, primarily for their BJJ classes. I'm stoked to start training. However, it seems absurdly overpriced. I get that it's expensive to operate a business in a "prime" downtown location spot. But when compared to other gyms, like Victory MMA, the price and value differences are shocking.



To prevent spreading any potential bad news / rumors about the school that otherwise seems legit, I won't give the name here on the board.





Pros:



- Legit school, from all that I can tell. I've been to 3-4 classes to try it out -- all good. I have two good friends that trained hard there before they moved away. All good things to say.


- I dig the vibe. Environment, students, and teachers. All good.


- 1 block from my house. Does not get any more convenient. No excuses.






Cons:



- They do not advertise their pricing scheme online, in the gym, or even when you call/email and ask. The say "come in, try us out, and we can talk." Red flag for me. When they do bring out their info binder and show you the price layout, here's what you get:

$239 a month (grand total), 4 classes per week limit (what??), contract for 6 months. Afterwards, it's month to month for $214 (total).


- No other fitness classes or yoga. Sub-par bathrooms (1 mens shower, a bit dank). There might be a sauna?



- Sub-par fitness studio (weight training and cardio equipment). Very basic, older and heavily used, very minimal, small space. It also has limited timing windows when it's available for members to use (apparently kids groups use it daily?)




~~~



I'm with you on "do what you can with what you have", but when coughing up $239 (total) a month for 4 BJJ classes per week... $60/class... damn.

The "value", the contract, the weekly class limitation, the subpar fitness studio... BUT 1 block from my house -- what's your take?

[The Ders]

I should also note --

The gym is very active, has lots of students (regulars and beginners), and has been around for at least 5-6 years (probably longer, don't know). It's a popular gym, in a heavily populated / popular place. The gym itself is not sketchy at all... it's well established. But the price... is $239 (total) unheard of, given these conditions?

[mynewunit]

There are a lot of BJJ club cost factors. 
    Location: City, State, and then is it in the ware house district, weird plaza, or in the trendy mall.
    Enrollment: The more students, the less overhead each has to pay.
    Teachers/staff: If the instructor also answers the phone and cleans the mat, the cost is lower than if there is another full timer on the books.
    Other fees: I don't know if there are franchise fees, but it wouldn't surprise me.

So the Real Answer: That price is high but not outrageous. I normally say $100 per student per month as a rule of thumb. This is obviously more. 
  First, compare it to the local cross fit gym which is probably $150-200 a month. They are just keeping the market in line.
  I would say the 1 block from your place might make it worth it. I also like that it has some weights and options.

You can ask now or you can ask later but there is typically some flexibility in price. Sometimes it is if you prepay, refer a friend, prove you aren't a problem.
I know one place that almost half their price was the company they used for their billing. If you can hang for a while and show them you are serious, then let them know that their price means you might have to stop. I had my kids in a BJJ gym for a little over a year and when we cancelled called to make sure we weren't upset with them in anyway. They even offered to reduce their price. I let them know that it was the 12 mile each way rush hour drive.
Maybe once you are a blue belt you can help with the kid class on weekends, or offer to wash the mats one morning a week. If either of these things are not worth $50 a month, then I would just pay it.

[The Ders]

mynewunit - much appreciated for the response!

My buddy who does Crossfit just got back to me -- they charge exactly the same.

Good call on politely asking about helping with cleaning/admin duties, and later perhaps eventually helping with classes to any capacity. The 4 classes per week limit is tight, but on average that would about be my max anyway with work/life.

The fitness room, regardless of any shortcomings, is still great to have. Do what you can with what you have.

And it's all 1 block away from home...

[mynewunit]

I was going to guess your zip code and then realized I can cheat. So I know you are in "the city so nice they named it twice". My other guess was that your zip code started with a 90 (which is Southern California).

And I would rant about an extra $100 per month, but would do a month of helping with the kid class, then if my kids weren't in the class, I would give them the $50 to never do it again.

I was trying to think of a fraction of some other living expense that you could compare it to: gallon of milk, utility bill, tank of gas, cable bill, Cell phone plan.  None of them seemed to be a good analog.

Let me try to frame this as indirect as possible.

My Kids were in a Renzo Gracie school and we had good regular instructors and Awesome Guest instructors. If I lived near you I would try to take advantage of that kind of opportunity.

Also listen to Podcast 74 with Harley Flanagan

McLean Out.

[The Ders]

Awesome. Good to get a little feedback on the gym and do some comparisons before jumping in.

Yeah, only a couple options here in the city. Multiple options in the suburbs, but unable to make the reverse commute. The 1 block distance is a no brainer.

Podcast 74, will do.

Thanks again.

[GuestL0ve]

Hey Ders what was your decision? I'm in the same location and I'm debating where to begin.