What should I wear to my first Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks Jiu-Jitsu class?
For your first visit to Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks, the academy prioritizes your comfort and safety as you begin learning the Vocabulary of Movement. Because the school is a professional environment led by world class professors like Gabriel Arges, there are specific guidelines to follow to ensure you have a productive first session.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR INTRODUCTORY EVALUATION
If you are attending a free introductory lesson or a technical evaluation, you do not need to own an official uniform yet.
Comfortable Athletic Attire: Most beginners wear a well fitting T shirt or a moisture wicking rash guard paired with athletic shorts or leggings. It is important that your clothing does not have zippers, buttons, or metal snaps, as these can scratch the mats or injure your training partners.
Avoid Loose Clothing: Try to wear attire that is relatively form fitting. Excessively baggy shirts or pants can get caught in fingers or toes during movement drills.
Footwear Protocol: Martial arts classes are conducted barefoot on specialized mats. However, you should wear sandals or athletic shoes to the facility. You must wear shoes whenever you are off the mat area, especially in the restrooms, to maintain the high hygiene standards of the academy.
THE OFFICIAL GRACIE BARRA UNIFORM (THE GI)
Once you decide to enroll in the GB1 Fundamentals program, you will transition to the official academy uniform.
The White or Blue Gi: The Gi is a traditional kimono made of reinforced cotton designed to withstand the “Art of the Tap.” At the Thousand Oaks and Northridge headquarters, students wear official Gracie Barra branded Gis to maintain a professional and unified appearance.
The Rash Guard: It is a requirement to wear a Gracie Barra rash guard underneath your Gi jacket. This provides an extra layer of skin protection and helps manage perspiration during high intensity sessions.
The White Belt: Your starter kit will include your initial white belt. This represents your status as a student and your commitment to the 16 week rotating curriculum.
PERSONAL HYGIENE AND PREPARATION
Because Jiu Jitsu is a close contact sport, personal preparation is just as important as your attire.
Trimmed Nails: Ensure your finger and toenails are trimmed short and smooth to prevent accidental scratches to yourself or your partners.
Remove Jewelry: All jewelry, including rings, earrings, necklaces, and watches, must be removed before stepping onto the mats for safety reasons.
Cleanliness: Ensure your training attire is freshly laundered. If you are coming directly from work or school, the facility at the Sports Academy provides clean locker rooms where you can change and prepare for class.
WHAT TO BRING IN YOUR GYM BAG
To stay comfortable throughout your training session, consider bringing a few essential items.
Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is critical, especially during the “Panic Inoculation” drills and live movement. The facility has water stations available for refills.
A Small Towel: This is useful for wiping off sweat during breaks in the action.
A Change of Clothes: Most students prefer to change into fresh clothing immediately after class before heading home.
In summary, for your very first day at Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks, simple athletic wear without metal hardware is all you need. The staff will provide more details on purchasing your official Red Shield gear once you begin your regular training.
Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks represents a unique intersection in the martial arts world: it is a local, family-oriented academy that operates with the facility standards and championship pedigree of a professional athletic training center.
Located inside the renowned Sports Academy (formerly Mamba Sports Academy) in Newbury Park, it offers a distinct “University of Jiu-Jitsu” experience led by one of the most successful active competitors in the sport’s history.
- World-Class Leadership
The primary draw for students—from hobbyists to professional fighters—is the caliber of instruction.
Professor Gabriel Arges: The academy is owned and led by Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion. In the BJJ world, this is the equivalent of learning basketball from a current NBA All-Star. His leadership ensures that students learn modern, battle-tested techniques rather than outdated methods.
The Romulo Barral Lineage: Arges is a black belt under the legendary Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra Northridge). This connection integrates the academy into a powerhouse regional network, granting students access to elite seminars and high-level training partners from across Southern California.
- A Professional Athlete Facility
Unlike many BJJ schools located in small industrial warehouses, Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks benefits from being housed within a major athletic complex.
The “Pro” Environment: Located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, the academy is part of a 96,000 sq. ft. facility. It features professional-grade lighting, expansive mat space, and an atmosphere of high-performance athletics.
Hospital-Grade Hygiene: Leveraging the standards of the Sports Academy, the mats are kept to a clinical level of cleanliness (“Red Shield” standard), drastically reducing the risk of skin infections common in lesser-regulated gyms.
Amenities: Students have access to premium changing rooms, showers, and a pro shop, catering to the “Executive” crowd who need to head straight to work after morning training.
- Adult Programs: Structure Meets Intensity
The curriculum is designed to accommodate two distinct groups: the working professional who cannot afford to get injured, and the young athlete chasing gold medals.
GB1 Fundamentals: This is the safe on-ramp for beginners. There is no live sparring in these classes. The focus is on self-defense mechanics, safe falling techniques (breakfalls), and core positional drills. This structure makes BJJ accessible to doctors, executives, and parents in the Conejo Valley.
GB2 & GB3 (Advanced): Once students earn 3 stripes on their white belt, they unlock advanced classes. Here, the focus shifts to the “Arges Style”—dynamic guard play, modern leg locks (like the “Kneebarge”), and the strategic “Physical Chess” required for competition.
Competition Team: Under Arges’s guidance, the competition team is one of the most successful in the region. Intense “comp classes” attract practitioners from Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Camarillo looking to test their limits.
- The “Future Champions” Youth Program
The youth program is a cornerstone of the academy, divided by age to ensure developmental appropriateness.
Anti-Bullying Philosophy: The curriculum teaches children to neutralize bullies without violence. They learn to control an aggressor using leverage and pins (“negotiation from the top”) rather than striking, protecting them from both physical harm and school suspension.
Age-Specific Classes:
Little Champions (Ages 3–6): Focuses on motor coordination, listening skills, and “animal movements” to build body awareness.
Juniors (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical grappling, partner drills, and the concept of leverage.
Teens (Ages 10–15): A critical program for adolescents that combines self-defense with the athleticism of sport BJJ, helping teens navigate social pressure and build a healthy, disciplined peer group.
- Culture and Atmosphere
Despite the elite pedigree of its instructors, the culture is famously “no-ego.”
The “Red Shield” Etiquette: The academy strictly follows traditional martial arts etiquette—bowing onto the mats, addressing instructors as “Professor” or “Coach,” and respecting training partners.
Mentorship: Higher belts (“Big Brothers/Sisters”) are expected to guide and protect lower belts. It is common to see a World Champion competitor helping a Day-One white belt tie their belt.
Family-Centric: The schedule often aligns adult and kids’ classes, allowing parents to train simultaneously with their children.
Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks offers a premium martial arts experience where “World Class” is a reality, not just a slogan. Whether you are a parent seeking confidence for your child or an adult wanting to learn from a living legend, the academy provides a safe, clean, and highly professional environment to start your journey.
Would you like me to find the current class schedule for a specific age group, or would you like directions to the Sports Academy facility? https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/
Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts Academy Thousand Oaks CA
1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
Phone Number: +1 805-721-6776
Office Hours
Mon. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Tue. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Wed. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Thu. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Fri. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Sat. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Sun. Closed
Route
Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA
Secondary phone: +1 805-721-6776
