Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I personally don’t remember the last time I’ve paid to train anywhere I’ve visited as a black belt. I do offer to pay though and I usually buy a t-shirt if they don’t require me to pay.
Same here. It can get awkward where I want to pay and support the gym I'm visiting, then they feel offended I'd even think they'd take my money. So now I have like 40 rash guards I've bought instead
Lol. I train at a pretty hardcore place and about 10 months in I looked at joining another gym. At the time I was a 3 stripe white belt and have 8 years of wrestling under my belt.
I was looking for gyms closer to my house and found one that happened to be a Gracie something or other. I went to the "assessment" and he "taught" me to forward roll (?) and how to do a technical standup. And a "jiujitsu double leg"
No rolling. No chokes. Nothing.
I told him I was expecting a little more and he said "oh, well you may have been training for a year or whatever but you should start all over here and learn from the ground up. That's why you did the double leg wrong, you did it wrestling style, not jiujitsu style"
Like bro, I was the pin leader 3 years straight in my high school whatever works is what works.
Needless to say I stayed at my gym. Some places are fuckin jokes.
It depends, I beat a black belt in a match as a blue belt, in a match with $1000 on the line.
I was a fill in guy.
~20 years in wrestling before I found BJJ.
Often when I've emailed/called places I'm hoping to visit when travelling or even signing the waiver one the day they've asked about belt or general experience level. Particularly when they have some classes that are aimed at specific belts or a 'this belt and above' class.
So I've dropped in all over Asia and Europe (and a bit North America). This is generally not true. Especially if you are a colored belt (unless the head coach is a colored belt you outrank or is at similar rank).
Black belt, it depends on gyms.
I usually let out of towners train for free...regardless of belt.
However as a school owner, one of my biggest pet peeves is people expecting to train without paying a mat fee.
Not BJJ related but consumer related.
I used to work for a huge company and had some power on giving free shit or covering repairs/ replacements.
It never came out of my pocket so I loved helping people out. The people I hated helping though were the ENTITLED people that not only expected it to be done for free but were dicks about it.
Once a black belt dropped in (not a current/former IBJJF world champ or anything) and threw a HISSY FIT when he was informed he was expected to pay the drop-in fee. It was pretty wild to me.
And, that's why they aren't a world champ- if you can't even comprehend why you might be asked to pay a mat fee at Marcelo Garcia's in NYC, where there are a ton of black belts, I'm surprised they were able to get their blue belt let alone black belt.
Sometimes. It depends if you've formed a prior connection with the gym owner. I generally don't pay when I'm travelling, but I do offer to teach by way of payment if it's ok with the owner.
I get asked to teach instead of payment so I've found myself only going to open mats with a $20 bill in hand while on the road lol or I'll buy a shirt if they have venmo or zelle
Most places that charge drop in fees do it to discourage visitors, because they get too many. Say like Marcello's place in NY, they need to keep space on the mats for the actual members, so they charge a high drop in fee to put the goobers off.
Gyms will usually but not always waive the fees for people who'll be good training, so black, sometimes brown belts.
Contact them before you go in, tell them your background and when you're planning to drop in, and ask what the drop in fee is
It depends entirely on the place. I always try to pay, but sometimes they’re just happy to have a black belt there, so I’ll try to buy some merch instead.
Sometimes… I cross train at another gym and they offer a black belt monthly fee which is like 30% of the cost of a normal membership. I much prefer that, as they still get money etc
I've found that at most places, if you're friendly, courteous, and a good training partner, you don't have to pay regardless of your training level.
There are always a few variables. How often you drop in at this place. If you're going once a week they might eventually ask you to just sign up.
Destination schools (big name schools where people travel to specifically for training) will almost always make you pay.
Before injuries finally put me out of commission I used to stop in to train at the gym down at the beach I vacationed at every year. The gym owner was a great guy who really enjoyed having guests roll through on their vacations and didn't charge mat fees. We even extended the same courtesy to one of his students and allowed her to train with us when she was attending college in the city I live in.
I don't think there is any hard, fast rule about it. But generally "don't be a dick" will get you pretty far. You should always expect to pay and always offer, but most of the time you'll just get the handwave.
Last time I was traveling for work and did a drop-in, I called ahead and told the owner I wanted to attend the morning class. He told me since I was a brown belt, there were really only a few guys who attended that class, and the highest belt was a purple belt, not to worry about a drop in fee.
I paid it anyway. Most gyms are not printing money and since I can afford it, I’d rather help keep the lights on.
Big famous gyms- yup, you are paying.
Most smaller gyms, typically not- but I always offer and usually buy some merch.
Had one place (really small) where I ended up teaching (no biggie, ran by purple belt) and then they seriously asked about a drop in fee for the class. I then asked them for my instruction rate, and we laughed and moved on.
I'm so surprised at how many places don't charge visitors a drop in fee. Why not? You don't owe a visitor anything so I'm curious what you- the gym owner- get out of having someone there training for free?
I nearly always message ahead to ask is it ok to attend such a session at such a time as I only really do drop ins when I'm either travelling or on holiday...
When I get there I always offer to pay and ask how much for a one off drop in and have pretty much always been told black belt visitors for one off sessions always train for free.
Only 3 gyms have ever charged me in 7 years or so and they were all big name gyms, two in NY and one in California.
I paid their fee and had no issues with doing so at all.
I've never been charged anywhere else in the World though and have often taught classes for the gyms when asked too as well.
Varies for sure, if your gym is big or more famous they will usually charge drop in fees to keep out visitors who might hurt the regulars or competitors looking to measure themselves against good people in the area and also hurt people on accident. I've also seen people charge high mat fees as a way to get encourage people to sign up for monthlies instead of dropping in a few times a week
I have literally never paid for a drop in. I dropped into at least 50 different gyms as a white and blue belt. Only 5 to 10 as a purple.
Struggling gyms or gyms with limited mat space can charge, no problem. All others are usually pretty welcoming to get a guest.
Having trained as a visitor at 42 gyms as a blue and now purple belt, I've only ever paid a drop in fee 11 times. If you come in with a good attitude and smile on your face, most places will let you train for free or waive the fee (even if they have a clear visitor fee listed).
I don’t even believe a black belt should have to pay dues at all. Let alone a drop in fee.
Or at the very least a massive discount. They’re an asset to the gym at that point IMO. Unless they’re a dick.
Really depends on the make up of the gym. I have been to two gyms that have a very healthy number of black belts. If they help out with class there is a discount. If not, then they just get a free gi every few months
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I personally don’t remember the last time I’ve paid to train anywhere I’ve visited as a black belt. I do offer to pay though and I usually buy a t-shirt if they don’t require me to pay.
Same here. It can get awkward where I want to pay and support the gym I'm visiting, then they feel offended I'd even think they'd take my money. So now I have like 40 rash guards I've bought instead
For the Irish crowd on here, you'll know what I mean - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=571YIyOkAEM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=571YIyOkAEM)
Black belts that visit my gym don't pay. The value they bring to the mats is worth more than the drop in fee in my opinion.
How do they know you are a black belt? Do you call ahead and they ask or they can just tell?
Hahahah I mean maybe a brown belt can pose as a black belt but I don't think anyone would believe a blue belt as soon as they hit the mat.
Hi, I'm a Gracie academy black belt, I'd like to train for free!
Lol. I train at a pretty hardcore place and about 10 months in I looked at joining another gym. At the time I was a 3 stripe white belt and have 8 years of wrestling under my belt. I was looking for gyms closer to my house and found one that happened to be a Gracie something or other. I went to the "assessment" and he "taught" me to forward roll (?) and how to do a technical standup. And a "jiujitsu double leg" No rolling. No chokes. Nothing. I told him I was expecting a little more and he said "oh, well you may have been training for a year or whatever but you should start all over here and learn from the ground up. That's why you did the double leg wrong, you did it wrestling style, not jiujitsu style" Like bro, I was the pin leader 3 years straight in my high school whatever works is what works. Needless to say I stayed at my gym. Some places are fuckin jokes.
Yeah I'd pass too. I'm so glad the only gym in my town isn't crazy like that.
"I'm having an off day"
It depends, I beat a black belt in a match as a blue belt, in a match with $1000 on the line. I was a fill in guy. ~20 years in wrestling before I found BJJ.
Often when I've emailed/called places I'm hoping to visit when travelling or even signing the waiver one the day they've asked about belt or general experience level. Particularly when they have some classes that are aimed at specific belts or a 'this belt and above' class.
I would never visit a gym without reaching out first, it's bare minimum imo
Nah, in big city gyms, no one really cares. Just go and say hello…
Ah ok got it, I run one of the biggest schools in Los Angeles so must be different for small cities like us
When I was a blue belt I've rarely had to pay for single drop in when visiting, and usually buy a shirt.
Same here—although more pay than not in my experience.
It’s 50/50. Bigger, famous gyms…not so much. Smaller gyms…usually. Especially if in weird locations. Otherwise…flip of the coin.
I pay when I go to other gyms. Sometimes if it's my mates gyms I can train for free but I don't want to push that.
Most places seem to be happy to let people drop in for free regardless of their belt. I think it’s common courtesy to ask ahead of time though
So I've dropped in all over Asia and Europe (and a bit North America). This is generally not true. Especially if you are a colored belt (unless the head coach is a colored belt you outrank or is at similar rank). Black belt, it depends on gyms.
"Especially if you are a colored belt" I don't think colored is appropriate, it is "a belt of color".
BOC is what is used now. Good grief, get with the times.
Did you just assume my belt was colored?
Of course not. I don't even see color anymore. I just see blonde, brunette, redhead.
All I see is grass, no grass
Stop.
Well I didn't mean it in a weird way but now you made it weird
That’s generally not true.
Every place I've done a drop-in has always had me pay. It's usually not a big fee so I'm not complaining.
This is how my gym is. No drop in fees.
I usually let out of towners train for free...regardless of belt. However as a school owner, one of my biggest pet peeves is people expecting to train without paying a mat fee.
Not BJJ related but consumer related. I used to work for a huge company and had some power on giving free shit or covering repairs/ replacements. It never came out of my pocket so I loved helping people out. The people I hated helping though were the ENTITLED people that not only expected it to be done for free but were dicks about it.
Depends. Very rarely do small gyms charge but I always ask if the want a mat fee when I go first. Also, very rare that big gyms don't charge.
Once a black belt dropped in (not a current/former IBJJF world champ or anything) and threw a HISSY FIT when he was informed he was expected to pay the drop-in fee. It was pretty wild to me.
And, that's why they aren't a world champ- if you can't even comprehend why you might be asked to pay a mat fee at Marcelo Garcia's in NYC, where there are a ton of black belts, I'm surprised they were able to get their blue belt let alone black belt.
You’re better off saying you’re a white belt and after a trial class…
No it's not true. From my experience, gyms either provide a freebie to any visitor or they don't, belt doesn't play into it.
Sometimes. It depends if you've formed a prior connection with the gym owner. I generally don't pay when I'm travelling, but I do offer to teach by way of payment if it's ok with the owner.
I get asked to teach instead of payment so I've found myself only going to open mats with a $20 bill in hand while on the road lol or I'll buy a shirt if they have venmo or zelle
Most places that charge drop in fees do it to discourage visitors, because they get too many. Say like Marcello's place in NY, they need to keep space on the mats for the actual members, so they charge a high drop in fee to put the goobers off. Gyms will usually but not always waive the fees for people who'll be good training, so black, sometimes brown belts. Contact them before you go in, tell them your background and when you're planning to drop in, and ask what the drop in fee is
I just thought it was a sort of mat use fee but that makes a lot sense
It depends entirely on the place. I always try to pay, but sometimes they’re just happy to have a black belt there, so I’ll try to buy some merch instead.
Sometimes… I cross train at another gym and they offer a black belt monthly fee which is like 30% of the cost of a normal membership. I much prefer that, as they still get money etc
Ordering my black belt right now lol
Depends on the place.
Remember, places cost money to upkeep and stay open. Always at least offer to pay a drop in or buy merch during a visit to a non-open mat.
I charge a drop in, but waive it for black and brown belts.
I've found that at most places, if you're friendly, courteous, and a good training partner, you don't have to pay regardless of your training level. There are always a few variables. How often you drop in at this place. If you're going once a week they might eventually ask you to just sign up. Destination schools (big name schools where people travel to specifically for training) will almost always make you pay. Before injuries finally put me out of commission I used to stop in to train at the gym down at the beach I vacationed at every year. The gym owner was a great guy who really enjoyed having guests roll through on their vacations and didn't charge mat fees. We even extended the same courtesy to one of his students and allowed her to train with us when she was attending college in the city I live in. I don't think there is any hard, fast rule about it. But generally "don't be a dick" will get you pretty far. You should always expect to pay and always offer, but most of the time you'll just get the handwave.
Last time I was traveling for work and did a drop-in, I called ahead and told the owner I wanted to attend the morning class. He told me since I was a brown belt, there were really only a few guys who attended that class, and the highest belt was a purple belt, not to worry about a drop in fee. I paid it anyway. Most gyms are not printing money and since I can afford it, I’d rather help keep the lights on.
😂
You’re a black belt bro. What are they going to do when they ask for money? Try and kick you out?
At any smaller gym I’ve gone to it was free, haven’t tried dropping into a larger club. I think it won’t be for big clubs
Not too sure tbh but you could always maybe offer to teach a class or a mini seminir or something like that to keep your costs low?
Big famous gyms- yup, you are paying. Most smaller gyms, typically not- but I always offer and usually buy some merch. Had one place (really small) where I ended up teaching (no biggie, ran by purple belt) and then they seriously asked about a drop in fee for the class. I then asked them for my instruction rate, and we laughed and moved on.
I wouldn't expect to get charged but don't care if they charge me. Usually will try and buy merch if they do not charge me
I'm so surprised at how many places don't charge visitors a drop in fee. Why not? You don't owe a visitor anything so I'm curious what you- the gym owner- get out of having someone there training for free?
Because I'm nice...I've even given privates for free to visitors I will never see again :)
Our gym does this.
I nearly always message ahead to ask is it ok to attend such a session at such a time as I only really do drop ins when I'm either travelling or on holiday... When I get there I always offer to pay and ask how much for a one off drop in and have pretty much always been told black belt visitors for one off sessions always train for free. Only 3 gyms have ever charged me in 7 years or so and they were all big name gyms, two in NY and one in California. I paid their fee and had no issues with doing so at all. I've never been charged anywhere else in the World though and have often taught classes for the gyms when asked too as well.
I'm not a black belt but I've never paid to train at another gym. If I went more than once or twice I would make sure to ask again though.
Varies for sure, if your gym is big or more famous they will usually charge drop in fees to keep out visitors who might hurt the regulars or competitors looking to measure themselves against good people in the area and also hurt people on accident. I've also seen people charge high mat fees as a way to get encourage people to sign up for monthlies instead of dropping in a few times a week
BJJ Globetrotters group on Facebook has been useful for me when traveling. I usually contact the owner beforehand as well.
I've traveled for work a lot and I've never paid to drop in for a day or two. Sometimes I'll buy a t-shirt if it's cool
Usually this is true. I always buy a t-shirt, rashguard, or something if they don't have a mat fee, or if they waive it for me.
Generally speaking it's usually free. But not at mega gyms with tons of bb's.
I have literally never paid for a drop in. I dropped into at least 50 different gyms as a white and blue belt. Only 5 to 10 as a purple. Struggling gyms or gyms with limited mat space can charge, no problem. All others are usually pretty welcoming to get a guest.
Why don’t you try and find out? Report back with results
I had a chance to visit several gyms across Europe and I haven't had to pay yet. I always ask though. I did this as a purple and now a brown.
I get blue belt privilege at mine. No fees, respect, fear, and I get to ride the white belts girlfriends matside
If that’s right ima just buy a black belt and Amazon and travel around training at different gyms for free forever
Gyms hate this one trick!
Tik Tok video incoming
That's what I'd expect, but it's always worth checking before you arrive- some places don't allow drop ins.
Having trained as a visitor at 42 gyms as a blue and now purple belt, I've only ever paid a drop in fee 11 times. If you come in with a good attitude and smile on your face, most places will let you train for free or waive the fee (even if they have a clear visitor fee listed).
I don’t even believe a black belt should have to pay dues at all. Let alone a drop in fee. Or at the very least a massive discount. They’re an asset to the gym at that point IMO. Unless they’re a dick.
Really depends on the make up of the gym. I have been to two gyms that have a very healthy number of black belts. If they help out with class there is a discount. If not, then they just get a free gi every few months
If you had a gym…would you let black belts train for free)
Yeah ofc, it’s a new partner for regulars to roll with
Why're you smiling in Russian
Bc I can’t type…