Achieving the honors of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ black belt- is demanding. As a result, most people that begin their martial arts training won’t ever reach such a level. Nonetheless, with a proper mindset and dedication, you’ll achieve it. So, how long does it take to accomplish a BJJ black belt?
On average, getting the BJJ black belt takes 12 years. However, the number of years can range anywhere from 3-20 years, depending on your dedication and the Jiu-Jitsu school you’re a part of. Nonetheless, reaching such a level takes effort, consistency, sweat, and commitment.
I’ve yet to achieve a BJJ black belt because it takes more than you can imagine. However, optimizing your training routine will speed up the process if you’re a white belt. Thus I wrote an article on tips to boost your BJJ progress, and I recommend you to read it.
Let’s look into the periods you’d have to invest to reach all BJJ belts. Knowing these- will help you set goals and expectations for your training routine. Thus staying consistent- becomes more effortless. Let’s jump in.
BJJ belt system
BJJ includes 5-belt colors. Reaching each one takes dedication, consistency, and willingness to learn daily. As a result, most people will never progress through the first phase, which is white. So let’s look into the colors and how you can attain each.
BJJ has 5-belt colors, white, blue, purple, brown, and black (by order). Moreover, each color includes 4-stripes you have to get to progress to the next color. So, as a result, you’d have to get 4-stripes in your white belt to advance from white to blue.
It’s not as complicated as many people put it out to be. However, it’ll take plenty of time to progress to the next color, especially if you’re a beginner. Now that we’re familiar with the colors let’s dive into the times.
How long does it take to get every BJJ belt?
Advancing through the different BJJ belts- takes time and effort. When you’re a beginner, you won’t notice as many results as if you’re more advanced since you’ll learn the basics. As a result, that’s the phase when discouragement and exhaustion will hit fiercely.
The following table demonstrates the time ranges it takes to advance through each belt.
| Belt color | Time to get (Years) |
|---|---|
| White | 0 |
| Blue | 0.5-3 |
| Purple | 2.5-5 |
| Brown | 2.5-10 |
| Black | 3-20 |
Different people will achieve different results because each individual is distinct. For example, you may advance through the ranks faster than me because you’re more dedicated. Another trait that distinguishes individuals is the ability to learn quickly. Because of that, the time ranges I suggested in the previous table- is based on people’s experiences.
Who knows, you may advance to a blue belt in 4 months. It’s possible yet unlikely.
Can you get a black belt in BJJ in 5 years?
Most martial arts trainees never achieve the black belt in their fighting style. Consequently, we understand that it takes a unique individual to reach such a level of skill and excellence.
Getting a BJJ black belt in 5 years is possible, yet, it’s lower than the average of 12 years. As a result, it’ll take a talented individual with a high level of consistency, dedication, and willingness to learn to complete such a task. Nonetheless, it’s doable yet not likely.
Can you get a BJJ black belt in 2 years?
As I previously mentioned, attaining the BJJ black belt in 5 years is possible; however, unlikely. Because of that, we can guess that any number lower than that- will be more demanding, considering that BJJ is a strict martial art regarding belt progression.
Getting a BJJ black belt in 2 years is impossible since it takes 12 years to complete such a task on average. As a result, doing so in under 4 years, which is already extremely unlikely- is even more demanding. Nonetheless, you’ll achieve the black belt in under 6 years with extreme dedication.
The numbers I’m mentioning in the answers I provided- depend on individuals. You can sometimes be more dedicated and talented than the average trainee. As a result, you’ll progress through the stripes and colors faster than the average Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trainee.
Is getting a BJJ black belt hard?
The black belt is many trainees’ ultimate pursuit. Thus, attaining it will be more complex and require more time than other goals. However, I can say with complete confidence that few are the people that reach such an honored state in any fighting style, such as Judo or MMA.
Getting a BJJ black belt is hard because it requires high levels of dedication and commitment over long periods. As a result, most people that begin their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey will never reach such a level. To clarify my point, it can take up to 3 years to reach the blue belt, which is the 2/5 color.
Moreover, BJJ is a stricter than average martial art regarding the progression in the ranking system. As a result, you may have to invest more effort in Jiu-Jitsu to advance to the next color. For instance, Judo is less strict; thus, reaching the black belt will take less.
Why does it take 10 years to get a BJJ black belt?
Martial arts are a fantastic way of improving yourself mentally and physically. Because of that, it goes without saying that you must be willing to invest precious time and effort to reach such an honorable state; the black belt. But, why does it take so long?
Eventually, to call yourself a black belt, you’d have to achieve such a level of excellence in BJJ that you’ll be capable of using the techniques in an incredibly proficient way. Frankly, most people will never reach the blue belt, which is the second black. Because of that, the number of people who’ll reach excellence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is even fewer.
Final words
BJJ is one of my favorite martial arts since it teaches effective techniques, primarily ground grappling. You can use ground grappling to disable an opponent quickly and effectively. Moreover, it doesn’t depend on size as much as other martial arts, such as boxing.
Because of that, BJJ is incredibly effective and valuable to learn. Nonetheless, advancing through the belts will require effort, dedication, consistency, and the ability to learn fast. Consequently, most people will never reach the highest color, which is black.
To attain a BJJ black belt, one must dedicate 12 years of hard training. However, the number may increase or decrease depending on your talent, dedication, and learning ability. For that reason, some achieve it in under 5 years, yet, it’s improbable.
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