Top Rated Martial Arts Near The Shops at Highland Village: GB Review

In the competitive landscape of martial arts in Denton County, Gracie Barra (GB) Highland Village is consistently ranked as a top-tier academy. Located at 200 Marketplace Ln, Suite 205, it sits in a prime location near The Shops at Highland Village, making it a “destination school” for residents of Highland Village, Flower Mound, and Double Oak.

The academy’s reputation is built on a “Premium School” model that prioritizes elite instruction, family-friendly programming, and a high-end training environment.

 🥋 1. World-Class Instruction: The “Arges” Factor

The primary reason for the academy’s 5-star reputation is its leadership.

 The Professor: Owned and led by Professor Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion. Arges is a global icon in the sport, known for his technical innovations like the “Kneebarges” system.

 Expert Pedigree: Unlike gyms run by hobbyists, students here receive direct instruction from an athlete who has reached the absolute pinnacle of the sport.

 Mentorship: Reviews frequently highlight Arges’ humility and patience, noting that he treats a brand-new white belt with the same professional attention he gives to advanced competitors.

 🏛️ 2. The “University” Approach to Learning

Locals often praise the academy for its structured, “academic” method of teaching, which differs significantly from the “random move of the day” found at many independent gyms.

 Standardized Curriculum: The school follows a 16-week cycle. If you join in Week 4, you know exactly what is being taught (e.g., “Distance Management” or “Escaping the Mount”).

 Departmentalized Classes: Training is strictly divided into GB1 (Fundamentals), GB2 (Advanced), and GB3 (Black Belt Mastery), ensuring beginners are never “thrown to the wolves” before they are ready.

 🧼 3. Hospital-Grade Cleanliness & Safety

In a post-pandemic world, hygiene is a dealbreaker for many families. GB Highland Village is widely cited as the cleanest martial arts facility in the area.

 Industrial Sanitation: Mats are sanitized multiple times daily with hospital-grade disinfectants.

 The “Sandal Rule”: Strict footwear protocols (no shoes on mats, sandals always off-mat) ensure that external contaminants never touch the training surface.

 Safety First: The “Red Shield” philosophy emphasizes a “zero-ego” culture. Instructors prioritize student safety over “winning” rolls, making it a safe choice for professionals who cannot afford to go to work with injuries.

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 4. Family Synergy & Convenience

The academy’s location at The Marketplace (near Walmart and TJ Maxx) allows for “errand stacking,” but its internal scheduling is what wins over Flower Mound households.

 Concurrent Scheduling: Parents can often take an adult BJJ or BarraFIT class while their children participate in a Future Champions class on the adjacent mat.

 Shared Values: Families bond over a shared language of “Respect, Discipline, and Integrity,” with parents and kids both working toward the same stripe and belt goals.

 📊 Quick Comparison: Why it Ranks 1

 Feature  Typical Martial Arts Gym  Gracie Barra Highland Village

 Instruction Local Expert Hobbyist 3x World Champion (Gabriel Arges) 

 Curriculum Variable Unstructured 16-Week Standardized Syllabus 

 Cleanliness Standard Gym Care  Medical-Grade Hygiene Protocols 

 Network  Single Location Access to 1,000+ Global Schools 

 Vibe “Fight Club” Gritty “Premium Performance Center”

 Experience the Standard

Gracie Barra Highland Village offers a Free Private Introductory Session for local residents. This allows you to tour the facility, meet Professor Arges, and learn your first few self-defense techniques in a 1-on-1 setting.

Would you like me to find the link to book a free consultation or provide the specific class times for tonight?

🥋 Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village: A Comprehensive Profile

Gracie Barra Highland Village is a top-tier martial arts academy located in Highland Village, Texas, serving the communities of Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Lantana. As an official franchise of Gracie Barra (GB)—one of the largest and most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) organizations in the world—this academy adheres to high standards of instruction, safety, and curriculum.

Here is a detailed breakdown of everything you can expect from this specific academy.

1. Philosophy and Mission

The academy operates under the global Gracie Barra motto: “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone.”

This means the school is not an intimidating “fight club” for professional cage fighters. Instead, it is an educational center designed to make BJJ accessible to toddlers, teenagers, working professionals, and seniors alike. The goal is personal development through martial arts, focusing on:

 Self-Defense: Real-world protection.

 Wellness: Physical fitness and mental health.

 Community: Building a positive social environment.

2. Program Structure

Gracie Barra Highland Village utilizes a standardized, week-by-week curriculum. This means a student knows exactly what they are learning, and if they visit another GB school, the instruction remains consistent.

1. Future Champions (Kids Program)

This is a cornerstone of the Highland Village location, given the family-oriented demographics of the area.

 Little Champions I (Ages 3–6): Focuses on “mat awareness,” coordination, following instructions, and basic body movements. It is heavily game-based to keep toddlers engaged.

 Little Champions II (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical Jiu-Jitsu. Students learn escapes, controls, and the Gracie Barra Anti-Bullying system (verbal de-escalation and non-violent control).

 Juniors & Teens (Ages 10–14): A more mature curriculum that prepares students for the adult program. It focuses on fitness, discipline, and complex problem-solving.

1. GB Adult Program

The adult curriculum is split into tiers to ensure safety and proper progression.

 GB1: Fundamentals (White Belts): The entry-level program. It focuses on self-defense, safety, and the core principles of BJJ (base, posture, leverage). There is usually no full-contact sparring (rolling) in the first few weeks to prioritize safety.

 GB2: Advanced (Blue Belt & Up): Once the basics are mastered, students move to GB2. This class involves more complex techniques, combinations, and live sparring (“rolling”).

 GB3: Black Belt Program: Designed for advanced practitioners to refine their style, flow, and transitions.

1. Private Training

For students who want to accelerate their learning or work on specific weaknesses, the professors at Highland Village offer one-on-one private lessons.

3. The Class Experience

A typical 60-minute class at GB Highland Village follows a rigid structure:

1. Line Up: Students line up by rank (belt color) and bow in to show respect.
2. Warm-up: 10–15 minutes of calisthenics and BJJ-specific drills (shrimping, breakfalls).
3. Technique: The Professor demonstrates a technique (e.g., an escape from the mount) and explains the leverage points.
4. Partner Drills: Students pair up to practice the move.
5. Specific Training  Rolling:

 Beginners: Positional training (starting from a specific spot and resetting).

 Advanced: Free sparring.

6. Bow Out: Class ends with a formal dismissal and handshake line.

4. Facility and Standards

Gracie Barra Highland Village maintains the “Premium School” standards required by the franchise.

 Hygiene: The mats are sanitized professionally every day. Personal hygiene (clean Gi, trimmed nails) is strictly enforced.

 Uniforms: Students are required to wear the official Gracie Barra Uniform (Gi). This fosters a sense of equality and team unity—on the mats, a CEO and a student are equals.

 Atmosphere: The facility is designed to be bright, clean, and welcoming to families. It typically includes a lobby for parents to watch their children train.

5. Instructors and Lineage

The instructors (Professors and Coaches) at GB Highland Village are certified through the Gracie Barra ICP (Instructor Certification Program).

 This ensures they are not just good fighters, but trained teachers who know how to handle safety, first aid, and pedagogy.

 The Texas region of Gracie Barra is historically very strong, influenced heavily by high-level Brazilian professors who settled in the Dallas/Houston areas. The instruction at Highland Village reflects this high-level lineage.

6. Benefits for Highland Village Residents

 Community Connection: It serves as a “third place” (outside of home and work/school) for residents of Highland Village and Flower Mound to socialize.

 Bully Prevention: For local school-aged children, the program provides confidence and tools to handle social and physical aggression.

 Stress Relief: For working adults, the intense focus required in BJJ acts as a form of “moving meditation,” clearing the mind of work stress.

7. Getting Started

The enrollment process at Gracie Barra Highland Village is standardized:

1. Free Introductory Class: New students are almost always offered a free trial class to experience the culture.
2. Introduction: You will likely meet with a Program Director who will give you a tour, explain the schedule, and discuss membership goals.
3. The “Red Shield”: Upon signing up, you receive your uniform and are welcomed into the team.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village is a structured, safe, and family-centric martial arts academy. It combines the rigorous physical training of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a supportive community atmosphere, making it a popular choice for families in the Denton County area.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village

Informations

ADDRESS

200 Marketplace Ln, Suite 205, Highland Village, TX, United States, Texas

PHONE

+1 (972) 439-7411

Top Rated Martial Arts Near The Shops at Highland Village: GB Review