---
title: "Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077"
url: https://gbwestside.com/gracie-barra-westside-albuquerque-which-exercises-develop-physical-conditioning-in-kids-jiu-jitsu-phone-1-505-818-8077/
author: gbadmin02
date: 2026-07-15T07:37:59-07:00
categories: [Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077]
tags: [Albuquerque Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ, BJJ community, BJJ for all levels, BJJ for beginners, BJJ in New Mexico, black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, character development, competition team, developing leadership through BJJ, discipline in Jiu-Jitsu, Equipe GB, free Jiu-Jitsu class, Gracie Barra athletes, Gracie Barra for women, Gracie Barra legacy, Gracie Barra New Mexico, Gracie Barra philosophy, Gracie Barra training, Gracie Barra training environment, Gracie Barra vision, Gracie Barra Westside, Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077, Jiu-Jitsu academy, Jiu-Jitsu classes, Jiu-Jitsu community building, Jiu-Jitsu competition, Jiu-Jitsu culture, Jiu-Jitsu empowerment, Jiu-Jitsu excellence, Jiu-Jitsu family values, Jiu-Jitsu for advanced practitioners, Jiu-Jitsu for fitness, Jiu-Jitsu for kids, Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, Jiu-Jitsu skills, Jiu-Jitsu strategies, Jiu-Jitsu success, Jiu-Jitsu techniques, Jiu-Jitsu training, martial arts community, Master Carlos Gracie Jr., mental toughness in Jiu-Jitsu, personal development, personal growth in Jiu-Jitsu, physical conditioning, Professor Roberto Tussa, red shield, resilience in Jiu-Jitsu, respect in Jiu-Jitsu, start Jiu-Jitsu journey, strength through Jiu-Jitsu, top-tier instruction, world champion Jiu-Jitsu]
---

# Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077

If you watch a standard kid’s gym class or a traditional sports practice, you will see a lot of mind-numbing repetition. [***Kids***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) get lined up to do basic jumping jacks, sit-ups, or lap after lap around a track. It is boring, it feels like a punishment, and it rarely translates into real athletic ability.

 If you visit the youth program at [***Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), you will see a completely different approach to fitness. The exercises there don’t look like a standard boot camp because they are modeled after the actual physical movements required to move efficiently on the ground.

 The secret to building genuine fitness in children is making the conditioning look and feel like a game while demanding total body coordination. One of the most powerful movements the kids practice at [***Gracie Barra Westside***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) is the bear crawl. To an adult, it looks simple, but for a child, it is a massive developmental tool. They have to move forward on all fours, keeping their knees just an inch off the mat without letting their hips sway wildly. This exercise forces the shoulders, core, and legs to work together constantly. It builds incredible upper body strength and stability, which is exactly what a child needs to protect themselves and maintain their balance when grappling with a partner.

 [***Start your jiu-jitsu journey today: schedule your free class at Gracie Barra Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)

 

 [![Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Gracie-Barra-Westside-Albuquerque-Which-exercises-develop-physical-conditioning-in-kids-jiu-jitsu-Phone-1-505-818-8077-1.jpg)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) 

 

 Another staple of the program is the crab walk. Flipping over onto their hands and feet with their bellies facing the ceiling forces [***children***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) to engage their hamstrings, glutes, and lower back muscles. Most modern kids spend hours slouched over desks or staring down at tablets, which weakens the muscles along the back of their bodies. The crab walk directly combats that bad posture by opening up their shoulders and building functional, stabilizing strength.

 Then you have the shrimp, which is arguably the most important fundamental movement in all of [***Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/). The child lies on their back, plants one foot on the mat, and uses their hips to escape out to the side, pushing away from an imaginary opponent. This isn’t just a technical martial arts movement; it is a brutal abdominal and hip workout. Traditional crunches only strain a child’s neck, but shrimping teaches them how to generate explosive power from their core and hips, which is the exact engine behind all human athleticism.

 The instructors also incorporate partner-based exercises that build a unique kind of isometric endurance. For instance, kids will practice the wheelbarrow walk, where one child holds their partner’s legs while the other walks forward on their hands. This requires massive core tension and shoulder endurance from the walking child, while the student holding the legs has to maintain their balance and coordinate their steps. It builds [***physical resilience***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) through cooperation, turning a heavy strength workout into a shared challenge.

 What makes these exercises so effective at the [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) facility is that they are never done in a vacuum. Every crawl, roll, and bridge serves a direct purpose that the kids see immediately when they transition into learning [***self-defense techniques***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/). They aren’t just burning calories or chasing a fitness metric. They are developing a deep, functional relationship with their own bodies, gaining the kind of agility, raw strength, and coordination that makes them instantly more capable in every other sport they play.

 ***Getting Started at Gracie Barra Is Easy:*** [***SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)***!***

 [***Gracie Barra Westside: discover superior martial arts training in New Mexico Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)

 

 

 [![The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Westside, New Mexico!](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The-Best-Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-in-Westside-New-Mexico.jpg)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Westside, New Mexico!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) 

 

## ***Gracie Barra Westside: come to the best jiu-jitsu academy in New Mexico!***

 [***Gracie Barra Westside, NM***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) is not just a school for Brazilian [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/) ([**BJJ**](https://gbwestside.com/bjj-for-beginners-near-me/)); it’s a thriving community grounded in the values of brotherhood, integrity, and personal development. Founded by Master Carlos Gracie Jr., the legacy of Gracie Barra has become one of the most recognized names in the world of [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/), with its red shield symbolizing excellence, dedication, and the passing of knowledge from the Gracie family to the next generation of athletes.

 Under the leadership of [***Professor Roberto “Tussa” Alencar***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), a 4th-degree black belt and a world champion in the sport, Gracie Barra [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) offers top-tier instruction and a welcoming environment for students of all levels. With over 16 years of experience in Brazilian [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/), Professor Tussa has built a strong following in both California and New Mexico, cultivating a community of dedicated practitioners who strive for excellence on and off the mats.

 At [***Gracie Barra Westside***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), students not only learn the techniques and strategies that define Brazilian [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/) but also develop valuable life skills such as discipline, respect, and resilience. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, the focus is always on personal growth, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence. The Gracie Barra competition team, known as Equipe GB, fosters athletic development and builds pride within the community, offering students the opportunity to compete and excel at the highest levels.

 [***Start your jiu-jitsu journey today: schedule your free class at Gracie Barra Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)

 Gracie Barra is not just about teaching [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/); it’s about transforming lives through the practice of the art. With a comprehensive approach that includes physical conditioning, mental toughness, and character development, [***Gracie Barra Westside***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) provides a supportive environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential.

 If you’re looking to get started with [***Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), Gracie Barra [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) New Mexico is the place for you. Schedule your free class today and experience the Gracie Barra legacy firsthand. The journey to better health, improved self-defense skills, and personal empowerment starts here at Gracie Barra [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) New Mexico, located at 3200 La Orilla Rd NW, [**Albuquerque**](https://gbwestside.com/train-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-at-gracie-barra-westside-albuquerque/), NM 87120.

 ***Getting Started at Gracie Barra Is Easy:*** [***SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)***!***

 [***Gracie Barra Westside: discover superior martial arts training in New Mexico Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)

 

 [![Gracie Barra Westside, NM!](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Gracie-Barra-Westside-NM.jpg)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***Gracie Barra Westside, NM!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) 

 

 

# ***Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: Which exercises develop physical conditioning in kids jiu jitsu*** ***| Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077***

 

 [![Getting Started At Gracie Barra Is Easy SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS And Intro Session Absolutely FREE! Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Getting-Started-At-Gracie-Barra-Is-Easy-SCHEDULE-YOUR-FREE-CLASS-And-Intro-Session-Absolutely-FREE-Experience-a-new-beginning-on-your-Jiu-Jitsu-journey.png)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***Getting Started At Gracie Barra Is Easy SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS And Intro Session Absolutely FREE! Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)

 

 

 

 

- [Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque in New Mexico](https://gbwestside.com/)

 

### Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque in New Mexico

![Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GB-West-Side.jpeg)3200 La Orilla Rd NW [**Albuquerque**](https://gbwestside.com/train-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-at-gracie-barra-westside-albuquerque/), New Mexico 87120 United States (US)Phone: [+1 505 818-8077](tel:+15058188077)  
Secondary phone: [+1 505 818-8077](tel:+15058188077)  
URL: [https://gbwestside.com/](https://gbwestside.com/)  
 

| Thursday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM |
| --- | --- |
| Friday | 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM |