HomeCaliforniaVentura › Gracie Barra Ventura

Gracie Barra Ventura

4.9 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ventura, California

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule graciebarraventura.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (805) 663-9220

Hours

Monday 7–10:30 AM, 3:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 12–1:30 PM, 3:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday 7–10:30 AM, 3:30–7:30 PM
Thursday 12–1:30 PM, 3:30–8:30 PM
Friday 3:30–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Gracie Barra Ventura, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 12 mentions

“My kids have been attending for nearly two years, and I recently joined about two months ago.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ

“The women’s class (GBF) has been an incredible group of strong, encouraging women who make every session something to look forward to.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Shout out to remy for holding down the woman’s self defense class.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“This is my first time doing BJJ and so far it’s been amazing.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 40 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“The Professor and coaches are great with the kids, classes are challenging but most importantly fun.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The entire community has been nothing short of amazing — welcoming, supportive, and truly inspiring.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“Best gym in the county, professional learning environment the instructors are top-notch overall good family learning environment.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Professor is very hands on with making sure that you fallow along and understand the techniques.”

great workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“On top of the wonderful jiu jitsu facility, the new strength and conditioning side is wonderful!”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“All the instructors are so helpful and great with kids!”

From the reviews

Great gym with great professors. Professor Mair is very thoughtful in his teaching methods and makes sure everyone is progressing each class. One of the best workouts you can get while challenging your mind at the same time. If you've never tried BJJ before, its a great place to start.

★★★★★ — Scott, Jul 2023

Truly an Amazing Academy! Gracie Barra Ventura has been life changing for me physically and mentally! The staff is super helpful and friendly and the professors/ instructors truly work to bring out the best in you! If you’re looking to get into the beautiful art of jiu jitsu I HIGHLY recommend GRACIE BARRA VENTURA!

★★★★★ — Alberto, Aug 2023

This place is truly special. Each and every one of us come from a different walk of life- ups, downs, traumas, stagnancies, challenges- over all humanitarian experiences. Coming here has allowed me to face aspects of myself that I have been needing to meet with, to fine tune, condition and heal.

★★★★★ — Crystal, Jul 2025

Great academy and great environment. The instructors are world class! Kids and adult classes. Beginners are brought up gradually. Wide range of skill levels and sizes for training partners. The mental and physical health benefits speak for themselves, but training in an environment like this makes it even better.

★★★★★ — Rene, Jul 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Ventura

Gracie Barra Ventura comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Ventura

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Gracie Barra Ventura

3503 Arundell Cir Unit B, Ventura, CA93003

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Ventura

Evolve Jiu Jitsu Ventura

5 ★★★★★ 22 reviews

3605 Arundell Cir Ste A, Ventura, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 3–5

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

under a mile away

Archer Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

3959 E Main St, Ventura, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens welcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

under a mile away

Morumbi Jiu Jitsu & Fitness Academy - Ventura

4.3 ★★★★☆ 66 reviews

3171 E Main St, Ventura, CA

Memberships around $350/mo

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team expert, high-level coachingno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

under a mile away

All BJJ gyms in Ventura, CA →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.