What is this Future Champions program at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?
f you are a parent in the Conejo Valley and you have been looking for a way to get your kid away from a screen and into something that actually builds some grit, you have probably heard people talking about the Future Champions program at the Sports Academy in Newbury Park. This isn’t just a martial arts class where they kick the air and yell; it is more like a university for kids that uses grappling to teach them how to handle the real world.
The Thousand Oaks academy is a very unique spot because it is led by Gabriel Arges, who is a three time world champion. In the jiu jitsu world, that is like having your kid’s Little League team coached by an MLB All Star. They have broken the program down into three specific tiers because they know that a four year old and a twelve year old have completely different brains and bodies.
Little Champions I (Ages 3 to 6)
At this age, the goal is purely about coordination and listening. The instructors use high energy games that are actually secret drills. They teach “animal movements” like bear crawls and frog jumps to build core strength, but the most important thing they learn is the breakfall. They learn how to fall down without hitting their head or snapping a wrist. It is basically playground insurance. They also start learning the “Safety Position,” which is how to sit up and keep an aggressor away with their feet if they ever get pushed down.
Little Champions II (Ages 7 to 9)
This is where the anti bully curriculum really becomes the focus. At this age, schoolyard dynamics get a bit more complex. They learn how to use a confident voice to stop a confrontation before it starts, but they also learn the “non violent” physical side. If a bully gets physical, your child learns how to take them to the ground and just hold them there with a pin until an adult shows up. There is no punching or kicking, so they can protect themselves without becoming the one who gets suspended.
Juniors and Teens (Ages 10 to 15)
This is a critical program for adolescents in Thousand Oaks. It is a zero ego environment where they can blow off steam from the pressure of school and social media. The techniques get much more technical, and they start doing more live “rolling” or sparring. This is where they develop “Panic Inoculation.” They learn how to stay calm and keep breathing even when they are physically tired or pinned down. That ability to stay cool under pressure is a superpower that stays with them when they are taking a chemistry final or dealing with a difficult social situation.
The atmosphere inside that massive 96,000 square foot Sports Academy facility is incredible. It feels professional and high performance, but the culture is all about brotherhood and respect. Every kid wears the same clean uniform, bows to the mats, and learns that their training partner is their best teammate. It is a place where they are held to a high standard, but they have a blast doing it.
Are you looking for a program that focuses more on that early coordination for a younger child, or are you trying to find a solid mental outlet for a teen who needs a break from the digital world?
If you want me to see which specific days this week have the best intro slots for the Little Champions or the Juniors program at the Newbury Park location, I can look that up for you right now.
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
