How long would it take to earn a black belt?

I have had some students ask me how long it would take to reach black belt. So, here is a list of how long it takes between each belt:

• White belt through green belt testing is every two months = 10 months to blue stripe.
• Blue stripe and blue belt three months each = 16 months to red stripe.
• Red stripe and red belt four months each = 24 months to black stripe.
• Black stripe six months = 2 1/2 years to reach first degree black belt.
• First degree to second degree 2 years = 4 1/2 years.
• Second degree to third degree 3 years = 7 1/2 years.
• Third degree to fourth degree 4 years = 11 1/2 years.
• Fourth degree to fifth degree 5 years = 16 1/2 years.
• Fifth degree to sixth degree 6 years = 22 1/2 years.
• Sixth degree to seventh degree 7 years = 29 1/2 years.
• Seventh degree to eight degree 8 years = 37 1/2 years.
• Eight degree to ninth degree 9 years = 46 1/2 years.

So, if you stay on schedule, and train hard this is how long it will take, a total of 46 1/2 years to reach GRAND MASTER!

But, remember that it is the journey to focus on, and not the destination. I know that the number are overwhelming to some so please focus on your training, and before you know it, you are a BLACK BELT!