How long Does Each Belt Take in BJJ?

Which belt are you on? How long did it take for you to get it? For everybody doing BJJ depending on your Gym and your Coach the time it takes to grade to each Belt level will vary wildly. There are many factors that affect how quickly you progress through the Belt ranks but these are not always made clear to you by your coach. Some Academies grade on attendance, some on competition wins others on personal development- it can get confusing. Also the act of asking how people are graded when you join a Jiu-Jitsu gym may seem taboo and awkward. On top of that if you have recently changed gyms they will probably keep you at your current rank till you have spent some time being part of their team. All of this can be frustrating but once you know how it works at your gym then you can set your own expectations and work at it!
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[@OneNvrKnoz]

One saying that really stuck with me from my coach is “you show up and you get better”. That’s not to say you can show up and slack off, but focusing on getting yourself to class on a regular basis will advance you more than worrying about getting to black belt fast

[@manwithnoplan5496]

100%. It’s all about consistency

[@alexmac2010]

Did you ever feel like a imposter going through the belts so quick? I ask because I’m due to move up but not 100% sure I’m ready for next belt … is this natural? Thanks

[@Highcaloriegrapping]

4 years from White to Blue and 5 years Blue to Purple. I didn't have any injuries and train a minimum of 4 classes a week. Some gyms are just different.

[@BrMg01]

wtf man sandbag for sure

[@russjan2678]

@@BrMg01😂😂

[@brewhaha515]

Wow

[@googone1902]

Sandbagging or ur literally trash

[@701garage]

White to blue for me was just at 7 months. I've been blue now for 2 months and just got a stripe. This not not normal for anyone esle at the gym I go to.

[@louishaon1012]

I loved everything in this video but mostly the end part when you talk about what you sacrificed for jiu-jitsu. Thank you guys !

[@shoxggz645]

Really enjoyed this cheers lads 👊

[@josephr2766]

Got my blue belt after 2 years and 2 months. 45 years old with a bad bad back from an industrial accident about 15 years ago. Wish I could be a no stripe white belt forever. When the hips and back are aching and stiff all the young guys are instantly faster and stronger. Being the oldest in the class even older than my coaches I’ve embraced my gym name “old man”.

[@1stmardivgrunt314]

Same here bro. 67 year old purple belt

[@evperry]

49 soon to be 50.....man I understand. White belt.

[@JoelGandara]

Man, I'm 100% with you on all those points exactly.

[@Fullmetal_christo]

I dig this podcast. Thank you from San Diego. It took me 12 years to get my Black Belt. Strictly linear consistency , that’s how long it took me.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Much love we appreciate you supporting the show!

[@maximillianshaughnessy2321]

Love this podcast guys 👍 pretty sure im getting my blue belt this month. Been a rollercoaster of emotions through white belt from really wanting the blue belt to hoping I never get it. Feel i'm at a point now where it doesn't really matter to me anymore other than a nice token to the work i've put in. What age did you guys start bjj at btw?

[@ScottBuckland]

Boys your videos/podcast is absolutely top notch 👌 so much information and often I’m in stitches whilst listening to your stories! I’ve just turned 35 years old and I’ve just started Judo and soon to start BJJ, so your episodes are golden. Appreciated from the UK 🇬🇧

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Thanks for the love brother! We appreciate you.

[@nintendad2099]

I really needed to hear the last words on this video. Had a rough day today at the gym. Rolling a bit too hard and not breathing right. Got gassed out. 😂 Not in a hurry to rank up but trying to move too fast in my techniques and not breathing right. Great video, new sub!

[@TheTazzeye]

Belt this ...belt that...belt belt...people should only concern themselves about the things they need to learn and master...the belt will come when it will come.....the moment you are consistently submitting the belt above you - in your head it's already a recognition of your advancement in your training - the color means something,yeh, but not all the time....get your game in check ,don't chase the color

[@OneNvrKnoz]

BJJ has grown so much as a sport in terms of techniques and positions that there’s just more to learn than 10 years ago and that takes time

[@TheGreature]

And still black belts don’t know everything

[@louishaon1012]

Also, i am a two stripes whilte belt. Started 7 months ago and loving the journey so far. I have listened to my body and my injuries and went from training two days a week to four now. Listening to your body and your needs and accepting failure are the most important things in jiu-jitsu

[@travisrudd]

The 15 year thing is definitely ringing true. White belt 1 year, blue belt 2 years, been purple for 7 haha At white and blue iw as going 5-6 times a week, got my purple and had to move, which reset the clock, then tore meniscus, broken rib, and bad lower back disk injury caused over 2 years total off, then took one year off when covid hit because we had a newborn at home. Now i'm lucky to go 3-4 times a week and am so thankful juust to be be back training. At this point, getting the next belt isn't even a thought.

[@kidnamedre]

The belt takes as long as it takes for your professor to determine your ready

[@jamesbyrd5175]

Trying to follow cap guy's train of thought is a trip.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Tr keep up with his coffee intake, then it might make more sense... 😅

[@Wubss]

I got my blue belt after a year almost to the day, and have been a blue for a year and a half and since i got my blue i got married and had my first kid so things have slowed down quite a bit. Although it has made me be a lot more intentional with my training and get the most out of every roll trying new things and i think that has allowed me to continue to progress almost just as fast as i was before

[@kylesande5986]

I'm a member of a small club that only holds two classes a week and a third is open mat. They only test once every six months so unless you kill it at comps we can expect each belt to take 2.5 years.

[@BrMg01]

this week is my marathon week 11 classes total / 1-Mon - 3x tues,wed,Thurs and 1 Sat.

[@TheGreature]

Damn bro 😂 do you roll hard every session?

[@BrMg01]

@@TheGreature no way man. I ask the professor to just drill in some classes...I'm 43 cant roll hard anymore lol, OSS

[@arturofernandez725]

Jujitsu is hard man

[@andrewmares4687]

I just got my Blue Belt in 7 1/2 months. It doesn't feel real but this sport has done so much good for me and I'm completely obsessed.

[@TheFonzarelli]

been blue since before covid training 5-6x/week and competing

[@TridentLion]

Been training for 21 months. 3 stripe white belt. Competed in 4 tournaments. 3 gold medals. 5-1 record. What a ride so far. I train 3-4 days a week. I feel like blue is around the corner. I want it but don't want to feel like an imposter, especially when competing

[@MoshJunkie426]

The last I did before grading to blue I had a few coaches complain that I was sandbagging, even though I went 5-1 and only had one other comp under my belt

[@g4mm4io]

I have been a white belt for over two years now, and I am starting to feel like I am progressing well. I am becoming more confident with the basic escapes and getting the hang of the basic submissions. Although I am not athletic, I know that persistence and dedication to learning are the keys. I hope to earn my blue belt within 2.5-3 years, starting from zero.

[@g4mm4io]

But I also think my school's blue belt standard is high. I don't have any issues with new white belts; it's fun rolling with them. I'm not trying to sandbag, lol. I am waiting for my instructors to think I deserve a blue belt and just have fun.

[@jairbear2000]

Currently holding a brown belt. 2 year at white, 3 years at blue, and 2 1/2 at purple. Over 50 competitions throughout these years. Currently held up with a shoulder injury 😢

[@billystage]

I think when most people ask when they’ll get a black belt or when they’ll get their next belt, they’re really just asking how long it will take to get good at it or if they’re improving.

[@M4GN1F1C3NT]

I got my blue belt in 8 months and spent 17 years as a blue belt , took 15yrs off bjj, due to life and kids but am currently a 4 strip blue belt now , but was told I will get purple soon in next few months . Very long road but don't really care about the belt I just love to roll and hang with new ppl . Train 3-4 times a week for last 3 years .

[@cptseagull]

Nice one man! 🤙🏼

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

I’ve been a purple belt for about a year and a half. But, I’m not an IBJJF recognized purple belt. Will be soon though.

[@theepeopleswarrior]

White 3, blue 3, in my second years as purple

[@sasquash8709]

Nearly 5 years training and compete, I’m a blue belt 4 stripes.

[@MessianicJewJitsu]

1 year to Blue 4 years to Purple still at purple since 2017

[@randomtiger8406]

I made a lot of sacrifices because my life happens by the day. I got my first stripe in 6 months and my second stripe 2 years after that. A lot of the sacrifices don't seem like they were worth it when I compare it to the mat time I lost. I hope they were, but I honestly don't know sometimes. I still go though.

[@douglasbrill1376]

I got my blue belt in 6 months, but I trained exceptionally hard and picked it up very fast , competed , 6 days a week training , private lessons on weeeknds

[@fodaallama7660]

Get a life

[@ape_with_a_gun]

@@fodaallama7660whatd he do to u bruh☠️

[@infernodotdash2203]

will an inconsistent past stop me from getting promoted in the future? for context I've been at this gym for 2 years, going max 3 times a week but have taken 3 months off consecutively and haven't even had one month where I went more than 10 times. I rarely go to gi classes cause I just don't like it and my GI doesn't fit, and the times I go aren't the ones where the main instructor is usually there. he's sometimes there at the beginning for the kids class then leaves and someone else instructs the adult class. regardless, im not worried about ranking up right now. I was listening to Jocko say it doesn't matter your belt just be the best at that belt, so I'm happy being the best 0 stripe white belt on earth, but one day I'd like to get at least a purple belt. is being inconsistent for 2 years gonna stop me from ranking up?

[@Kd240sx]

Currently almost 6 months in my brown belt. I’ve been training since 2015, when would you guess I’d earn my black belt? I train 3-4 times a week

[@Arcadianx98]

Is there a standard for how to calculate your years? For example, took a year off during covid - do i add that year in how long i was at a belt?

[@matcore]

Hours on the mat is the real standard. Especially if they're consistent and studying technique outside of actual drilling and rolling. Mentally committing concepts to understanding is an underrated development method when combined with physical training.

[@petereriksson6760]

Speaking of belts. I think it is problematic to compare BJJ belts with other martial arts. "Normally" you get a black belt in Karate, TKD, Judo etc... it takes about 5-6y give or take. However, in those arts you are still considered a student, albeit an advanced student. I think a purple belt in BJJ is as equivalent as it gets if you have to compare (which is not possible but we all do anyway...). A black belt in BJJ would then be more compared to 3-4th Dan in the other arts. In BJJ you go from 0th to 1st to 2nd black belt and so on by just continuing in the art. There isn't really any official evaluation or grading beyond black belt in BJJ, which there is in the other arts, at least up to 4th Dan... /Peter

[@poddubotsky1]

Hey guys, what’s your opinion on belt testing, like you have to know and show 20 techniques and you got a promotion, is it bs or right way to do things, thanks

[@carminecalante8682]

Nah. Testing Sounds a bit too karate for me. If you train and roll regularly your coach knows, and you know. If you’re purple, and you can beat most purple and challenge browns then you know you’re pretty much there.

[@mouthguardcomic]

I think if it is used in conjunction with criteria such as mat time and a minimum time per training each week, it can be a good way to determine if a person is advancing. Also, preparing for tests makes sure that a person spends a lot of time dedicating themselves to learning those techniques. Further, if they have to keep building upon those techniques with each testing period, it makes sure they know the system or curriculum. - I prefer to just give the belts out when people are ready, but if you have a large school or people who are spotty in attendance, this keeps people honest.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Every gym has different standards. As long as you are confident in your skills and techniques then thats all good.

[@jnwoodard8764]

I’ve been taking classes 3x per week, plus staying over multiple hours on top of it. I’ve started 7 months ago, but have yet to see a stripe.

[@alfredopena6956]

Have others around you that attend as frequently as you do professed either

[@duss9728]

I've been training a year no gi and have no stripes. A piece of tape doesn't matter bro lmao. I know 10 submissions and a couple moves from every position. Skills>stripes. Keep training 💪

[@SKRATCH1988]

​@@duss9728 How often do you hit these moves in live sparring rounds?

[@duss9728]

@@SKRATCH1988 Against people around my skill or low level blue quite a bit! Depends if were doing positional sparring or just standing too but regardless I'm not completely lost as before. Even with escapes i have the idea on what to do rather then spazzing lol

[@SKRATCH1988]

@@duss9728 nice. Sounds like you're due for a stripe. Some professors will hold you back longer if they think your potential is higher

[@ketaminejones3981]

It took me 6 weeks to get my blue belt but it was only because I blue the coach.

[@thefreedomproject4777]

Trained 2 years in white belt, changed gyms after 1 year they promoted me to green belt 😂, yes adult green belt a.k.a. white belt sandbagging

[@b4dmaash]

Do you need to register your whitebelt with the ibjjf to be officially recognised?

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Only if you want to compete at a registered IBJJF competition.

[@RandRandolph]

I've been training for about 3 years. I'm 5'5 155 lb and I'm 33 years old . I'm a three-stripe white belt. I can hold my own against the blue belts in my gym and even tap them I would say more than I get tapped and they're all bigger than me. I'm currently the Uki at my gym and I know we shouldn't care about belts but I'm curious why they wouldn't have promoted me. Really not trying to sound like a brat but I feel like I've put in the time, I believe I have the skills as I've proven it against plenty of other people that are higher rank and larger and stronger than me. Any advice??? thanks!

[@ThotBonker]

Do you compete

[@RandRandolph]

@@ThotBonker I have in the past. Not in over a year

[@urgilesbarragan]

Do you train bjj for the belt or for fun and knowledge ?

[@RandRandolph]

@urgilesbarragan if I'm being honest, both and it does bother me. I know I shouldn't care but it does bug me. I've given the sport a lot, as much time as I can and some part of me wants the recognition for all my hardwork and dedication I guess. I know it's a "ME" problem but I feel like it's eating at my desire to train. It just sucks because I really do love jiu jitsu but I'm at a weird part of my journey.

[@arrantformula]

I am brand new to Jiu-jitsu. One month in rolling with my older brother who us knocking on the door to blue belt. He has imposter syndrome and I'm getting frustrated at how easily I am being submitted.

[@MrZachgonz]

It only gets worse as you go up in belts. I’d say until you’re brown, you will be getting submitted far more than you submit others. Especially if you start going to advanced classes where brown and black belts will be hunting you and your blue/purple belt.

[@kylelemon4230]

Loll yaa... 5 years as white😅 5 years as blue 😅 been purple for a year..... 11 years in now haha

[@Lifecounselor710]

I think that there is an error pre-2010 and post 2010 BJJ training is a lot different

[@bobsunflower1296]

2 years to blue belt 5 years till purple

[@bobbydabutcha]

Blue belt is the real White belt is the most HONEST statement I have ever heard about Jiu Jitsu. I have met, trained with (and sadly, never seen ever again) SOOOOO many Blue belts that do not fully understand this statement.

[@Pacopaco888]

it takes 1,000 classes, you decide how many classes you do per week

[@KazX37]

That would mean only 3 years if I attend 7 per week, seems fast

[@sayville_silver]

I do 3 classes a week. I should be a black belt in 5 more years then since I'm already blue within my first year and a half.

[@701garage]

That mean it would take me 2.5 years to get black

[@holden5478]

I stopped caring about belts in my late 20s. The older you get the less important they become. The only thing that should matter is finding a gym/school/dojo that you love attending.

[@stevelewis8961]

Took 2 years 3 months for my blue and I’m 1 year into my blue…. We’ll see how long it takes me for my purple

[@alfredo8092]

This guy has an entertaining podcast, knows more than a fair bit about Jiu Jitsu, and looks like Rob McElhenney at his hottest... I think i just found a role model

[@ReDuVernay]

Can I leave 5 stars here too? 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Appreciate mate!!

[@Wadell449]

Coming up on 6 years still a white belt.

[@701garage]

White to blue for me was just at 7 months. I've been blue now for 2 months and just got a stripe. This not not normal for anyone esle at the gym I go to.

[@MrZachgonz]

My old gym had a VERY high level D1 wrestler who was doing live sparring with the advanced NoGI guys within the first few weeks. He wasn’t promoted but he was encouraged to only do the advanced classes because his skill level was so different from the rest of the beginners.

[@701garage]

@MrZachgonz kinda like my gym they had me do advance classes after my first beginners class. I could not wrestle in college never had the grades to go to college.

[@rolotomase1440]

Don't compete. I'm 50. I trained 4x a week for a year and got a blue belt. Felt like I was ready sooner. Continued training 3-4 days a week for the next 2.5 years and got a purple belt. I would have rather not got it and it seemed a little soon.

[@thenomad123]

I been training since December of 2022 and still a white belt... i suck 😢

[@holden5478]

Took me two years to crack blue belt too. It took a long time for the basics to finally click for me. I'm still a mess on the mats. Just keep going boss. All that should matter is that you love what you're doing.

[@TheHarmmm]

I have a friend who was a real natural, went white to blue in 7 months. I got mine in 14 months.

[@harrypocher84]

2 and 1/2 years and still white. I love my white belt. When I get the blue everyone in the gym is going to whoop my a$s

[@hypethevipe5724]

Sounds like they already are

[@deathdog1392]

Waaaaaaay too long....

[@mouthguardcomic]

Yeah, I think a massive reordering is going to naturally occur soon.

[@ah8953]

The time really shouldnt matter its should be skill based. Some people are far better naturally and athletically. Its fucking annoying when you go to a gym and roll with black and browns and control them the entier time becauae they only got there belt because of the "time they spent" and there clearly not at that level. Cole abate is a perfect example got his brown won worlds clearly hes above the brown level so gave him his black right there.

[@mouthguardcomic]

If it is that way, then that is an issue. However, when you rolled with them, did you submit them? The reason I ask is because as a brown belt, I often roll with guys and work from positions I want to improve in. I may not be able to do so with brown or black belts or certain purple belts. Or the guy may be so aggressive, I will just defend as I feel no threat submission wise. It´s not a tournament so who cares if he is going all out for a position. However, usually after a few rolls, I will turn it up a little and then submit the same person with no issue as they burn themselves out trying to prove how good they are when they first start rolling. Many newer guys and especially some guys who gain rank really quickly have not had time to experience the ups and downs or may not understand what it takes for other people to be on the mat. As you progress you learn that strategy and experience can also be a good way to beat people as opposed to overt aggression and pure dominance (not saying that is what you are doing). I have wrist-locked and heel hooked people who just knew they were in control of a situation, but really weren´t.

[@ah8953]

@@mouthguardcomic yea I submitted them. I understand where you're coming from as well because I tend to play that game as well with people letting them work until they just make a little mistake. I can tell when people are letting me work or not as well. I'm a pretty mellow roll never over aggressive. I will say I came from an MMA background growing up for years so I had experience before I strictly just doing BJJ. But there are definitely some gyms that just give away belts to easy or based off time.

[@mouthguardcomic]

@@ah8953 True, I agree some give them away too easily. However, I think that may be the exception more than the rule in our sport/art, unless they are really isolated. If their guys compete, they will come back and demand a change or leave. One last thing, I think a lot of gyms that are based on time actually demotivate people as they learn that all of their hard work is not rewarded. Even though most people want to be self starters, extrinsic motivation plays a huge role. Plus, if you know (even with heavy training) it will take 3 years from purple to brown or 4 years from brown to black, you may realize that two-a-days, five times a week practices will leave you broken down and burned out. Even five days a week puts a strain on anyone who is trying to advance in our current training model. People may become those guys you experienced from sheer de-motivation.

[@jamesbyrd5175]

Of course it should matter and why is it annoying? Just tell them you want the top competitors when visiting a gym or enter tournaments, boom easy you get your tough rolls. And belts make much more sense for hobbyists. Competitors already have tournaments, that's your ranking system. Belts are the easy way of rewarding hobbyists. Do you want less of those people , because it's just less money and opportunities for you hardcores anyway at the end of the day. Retention is bad enough as is and giving hobbyists something to aim for other than "just get better or quit" is good practice. Which inevitably will end up being something time based.

[@mouthguardcomic]

@@jamesbyrd5175 Also, without the regular crowd, the competitors would not have anyone to practice with. Additionally, everyone except, maybe one percent, are recreational grapplers. I think people confuse themselves because they pay to compete and think they are pros. That's not to be mean, it is just to say that everyone needs to be appreciated and to say that people who do wish to advance, need to be respected. If you don't want people to complain, don't hand out belts at all.

[@briand5223]

Also bs that your school has to be recognized by ibjjf . Heard theres a lot of political nonsense circling that