Which ones are the specific No-Gi Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California classes on the schedule?
If you are looking to ditch the heavy cotton gi and get into the faster, sweatier world of No-Gi training, the academy in Thousand Oaks has a very specific way of handling it. Since this school is located inside the massive Sports Academy facility on Rancho Conejo Boulevard, they have access to an incredible amount of space, but they keep the No-Gi sessions targeted to ensure the quality stays high.
In my experience, the core of the No-Gi schedule usually lands on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. These sessions are typically held later in the day, often around 6:30 PM or 7:30 PM, after the standard gi fundamentals classes have wrapped up. This timing is perfect because it allows the serious students to double up on their training if they have the gas left in the tank. Instead of the traditional kimono, you will see everyone in the official Gracie Barra rash guards and grappling shorts, which completely changes the dynamic of the movement.
One thing you will notice about the No-Gi classes under Professor Gabriel Arges is the heavy emphasis on wrestling and leg entanglements. Without the collars and sleeves to grab onto, the game becomes much more about underhooks, head control, and explosive movement. Gabriel is a master of the modern game, so in these specific classes, you are going to spend a lot of time learning how to transition between the X-guard and various leg locks. It is a much more athletic version of the sport that appeals to people who want a high intensity cardio workout along with their technical skills.
There is also a dedicated No-Gi session that often pops up on the Friday afternoon or Saturday morning schedule. These are usually a bit more relaxed and focus heavily on live rolling or specific positional sparring. It is a great way to end the week because you get to test your techniques in a environment where you can’t rely on the friction of the gi to slow things down. If you can escape a mount in a No-Gi session when everyone is slippery and moving fast, you can escape it anywhere.
I always tell people that even if they love the tradition of the gi, they are doing themselves a disservice if they skip the No-Gi blocks on the Thousand Oaks schedule. It forces you to be more precise with your weight distribution and much faster with your transitions. You should definitely check the latest digital calendar at the front desk or on their app before you head over, as they sometimes add specialized No-Gi blocks leading up to major tournaments like the No-Gi Worlds. My advice is to show up for that Tuesday night session. The energy is usually through the roof, and you will walk out of there feeling like you have actually learned how to handle a real life situation where nobody is wearing a convenient handle for you to grab.
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
