Fun Fitness for Kids in Gracie Barra Agoura Jiu Jitsu Hills: BJJ Classes

 

Gracie Barra Agoura Hills has solved the biggest challenge parents face when trying to get their kids active: making exercise feel like play.

 

Located at 5883 Kanan Rd, the academy’s Future Champions Program turns grueling physical conditioning into high-energy fun. By using “Gamification”—the art of turning training into a game—Professor Jaeson Bianchi and his team ensure that kids leave every class sweaty, smiling, and stronger than they were when they walked in.

 

Here is a detailed breakdown of how Gracie Barra Agoura Hills combines fitness and fun.

 

1. The Philosophy: “Hidden Fitness”

 

If you tell a child to do 50 burpees, they will complain. If you tell a child to play “Pop-Up Surfer,” they will do it until they collapse from exhaustion—and ask for more.

 

 Exercise in Disguise: The instructors at GBAH are experts at disguising functional interval training as games. Children don’t realize they are building cardiovascular endurance; they just know they are trying to escape a “bear” or catch a “crab.”

 Full-Body Engagement: Unlike sports that focus on just legs (soccer) or arms (baseball), BJJ requires every muscle group. From the neck to the toes, kids push, pull, bridge, and crawl, developing a balanced athletic physique.

 

2. The “Jiu-Jitsu Games” (The Fun Part)

 

The highlight of every kids’ class is the specific training or game time. These aren’t random playground games; every game is designed to teach a specific BJJ skill while burning massive amounts of energy.

 

 Game Name  How It’s Played  Fitness Benefit  BJJ Skill

 

 Crazy Horse  One student is the “Horse” (crawling); the other is the “Rider” (holding on). The Horse tries to buck the Rider off safely.  Core stability & Grip strength  Maintaining “Mount” & Balance 

 Bulldog  A game of tag played on hands and knees. Students must crawl across the mat without getting caught by the “Bulldog.”  Shoulder endurance & Cardio  Agility & Ground movement 

 Toe Tag  Students face each other in a stance and try to tap their partner’s toe without having their own tapped.  Leg speed & Squatting power  Stance, Distance management & Takedowns 

 Sumo Push-Out  Two students stand in a circle and try to push the other out using only leverage (no striking).  Leg drive & Balance  Base & Takedown defense 

 

3. The “Animal Warm-Up”

 

Instead of boring laps around a track, the warm-up at Gracie Barra Agoura Hills mimics the movement of animals. This builds Proprioception (body awareness) and mobility.

 

 Bear Crawl: Builds shoulder and leg strength.

 Crab Walk: Opens the hips and strengthens the triceps/core.

 Shrimping (Hip Escape): A core movement in BJJ that strengthens the abs and hips better than crunches.

 Gorilla Hops: deep squat jumps that build explosive leg power.

 

4. Social Fitness (Friends make it Fun)

 

Fitness is easier when you do it with friends. The culture at GBAH is built on Irmandade (Brotherhood | Sisterhood).

 

 Partner Drills: Kids are paired up to practice. This social interaction keeps them engaged. They aren’t just working out next to someone; they are working out with someone.

 Positive Peer Pressure: When a child sees their friends working hard and having fun, they naturally want to keep up. The energy in the room is contagious.

 Digital Detox: For 60 minutes, there are no iPads, phones, or video games. It is 100% physical interaction, high-fives, and laughter.

 

5. Instructor Energy

 

The secret sauce of the Agoura Hills location is the energy brought by the coaching staff.

 

 High Energy: Instructors like Professor Jaeson maintain a high-volume, enthusiastic atmosphere. They don’t stand around; they are often on the floor demonstrating or playing alongside the kids.

 Music: Classes often feature upbeat music to keep the rhythm fast and the mood light.

 Celebration: Effort is celebrated loudly. Whether a child does a perfect roll or just tries their hardest, they receive immediate positive reinforcement.

 

6. Benefits Beyond the Sweat

 

While the kids are having fun, parents know they are gaining serious health benefits:

 

 Obesity Prevention: The high-intensity interval nature of BJJ burns more calories per hour than almost any other youth sport.

 Coordination: BJJ teaches kids how to control their limbs in 3D space, which prevents clumsiness and helps with other sports.

 Sleep Hygiene: Parents consistently report that after a GBAH class, their children fall asleep faster and sleep deeper because they have expended their physical energy in a healthy way.

 

Would you like to bring your child in to try a “Jiu-Jitsu Game” during a free introductory class?

 

Hours

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM

Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM

Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

 

Contact

Phone Number: +1 805-800-9681

info@gbnorthridge.com

 

Location

19520 Nordhoff St Unit 10 Northridge, CA 91324

Fun Fitness for Kids in Gracie Barra Agoura Jiu Jitsu Hills: BJJ Classes