Mixed martial arts, sambo, judo – achieving success in these types of martial arts is impossible without quality training. In the classroom, athletes hone their skills not only in pairs but also with exercises using a grappling dummy. Dummies for practicing techniques differ in design, filling material, size, and other characteristics.
What is this grappling dummy? How to choose from the set of presented models? I will answer these and other questions. But to start, we will recommend you top-5 best grappling dummies on the market.
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Top 5 Best Grappling Dummies
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These best two-legged professional series wrestling dummies are used in freestyle wrestling, Sambo, MMA, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu for practicing guard passes, low blows, and leg locks.
This grappling dummy is made of synthetic leather, having a thickness of 2.0-2.4 mm, which ensures the absolute reliability of the product.
All parts are duplicated by durable material by soldering, eliminating the deformation of the form of the dummy during training. The seams have a triple firmware kapron thread and the mannequin is filled with shredded textile flap for comfortable work.
This grappling dummy is stable in shape and maintains medium density and is also suitable as a punching bag.
Pros
- Has two legs and moving hands
- Is made of a vinyl
- Material is durable and easy-to-clean
- Comes in different sizes and weights
Cons
- No sitting position
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One of the significant advantages of such grappling dummies is the realistic shape because the grapple dummy imitates the figure of a person. Thanks to this, it is possible to practice techniques, sweeps, throws, chokes, and ground and pound in MMA.
Features of the grappling dummy: the ability to hone wrestling techniques and accuracy of strikes; you can even use it at home; can fully replace a training partner; durable material, designed for various loads; imitation of hands to practice submissions; one-piece construction and durable seams at the joints, preventing the dummy’s head from tearing off.
Pros
- Has extended arms
- Enforced stitching
- Comes in different sizes
- Comes unfilled
Cons
- No standing position
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If you’re looking for the best two-legged grappling dummy for sambo, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or MMA… this is it. These grappling dummies have hanging arms, which allows you to put a jacket on it and conduct full-fledged workouts with possible grips for the gi. The dummy proportions are carefully designed for the convenience of grips.
This grappling dummy is made of exceptionally durable material, which guarantees its reliability. “Active zones,” which account for the main load on the dummy, are additionally reinforced with PVC fabric. The grappling dummies are filled with an elastic knitted flap or special filling. It can come filled or unfilled. The product has an average degree of rigidity. It is the best training partner suitable for professionals and beginner athletes.
Pros
- Able to wear a Gi
- Made of durable PVS material
- Comes in different sizes
Cons
- Only sitting position
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One of the best versions of the grappling dummy for practicing techniques in BJJ, Grappling, MMA, etc. This dummy is as close as possible to the anatomy of the human body. This grappling dummy has both arms and legs, which allows you to sharpen wrestling throws. The dummy’s position is as relevant as possible for practicing grappling techniques.
The dummy is made of durable, reinforced material with a strong base, which distinguishes it from analogs. The special design allows you to execute a kimura, americana, triangle, and back chokes. The dummy comes unfilled but can be filled with a special synthetic mixture of fibers to simulate the human body.
Pros
- Comes unfilled
- Flexible legs and arms
- Made of durable materials
- Enforced stitching
Cons
- No standing position
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The DEFY grappling dummy is made with the strongest, wear-resistant PVS fabric. Due to the density of the material, the dummy can be used in professional gyms. When in close contact with the mannequin, the fabric does not crack, and its reliability is not inferior to leather and vinyl analogs. This dummy supports the athlete’s development and with proper care, will last several years.
The weight is adjusted manually. The elasticity of the filler should be adjusted manually, based on the level of skill of the fighter, his physical preparation, so the dummy initially comes unfilled. All the described characteristics and features make it possible to choose the type of grappling dummy you need. Depending on your personal preferences and budget, you can choose the most suitable model.
Pros
- Has two heads
- Comes in different weight classes
- Comes unfilled
Cons
- No sitting position
Best Grappling Dummies Buyer Guide
What is a Grappling Dummy?
A grappling dummy is an indispensable sparring partner in various types of martial arts; it is convenient to practice throws and submissions with. Mannequins allow you to practice throws and grappling, but also power techniques in MMA.
The outer layer of the mannequin for the fight is made of durable PVC fabric or high-quality genuine leather. The material guarantees safety and high wear resistance.
Stuffing is carried out with foam rubber granules of various specific gravity and different weights. The center of gravity of the wrestling assistant is shifted down. This is done for a more realistic response resistance to the movements of the athlete.
Types of Grappling Dummies
The dummies can come on one or two legs.
The mass of products depends on height – from 20 kg up to 75 kg.
Which type of wrestling mannequin to choose depends on the type of martial arts, the height, and weight of the athlete, as well as the specificity of the training.
The optimal mass of such a mannequin is about half the weight of an athlete and about 15cm shorter in length.
What is the Best Grappling Dummy for Jiu-Jitsu?
The best grappling dummy for jiu-jitsu is , it meets all the requirements of any competitor.
Grappling dummies are a “prototype” of the human body with head and legs. The lower limbs can be either split or connected – both options are suitable.
A two-legged grappling dummy helps the athlete to practice various hooks with the feet and can be done at home or in the gym.
Universal dummies with bent or straight arms and legs also exist. These are fully adjustable and can be used for sparring or training locks in various angles.
Also, due to the small weight of the “doll,” you can bring it to class.
Should I Buy a Grappling Dummy?
We’ve seen what happens in times of crisis like the lockdown of 2020. If your gym is closed, you can practice throws and chokes and simulate some drills.
What surprised me during visits to wrestling schools is that they always have grappling dummies laying around and use them during training to train suplexes and throws.
Get a grappling dummy if you might be away from the mats for long or if you want to perfect your suplex and throws. Throwing someone on their head (even if it’s on a soft mat) might get tiresome for both of you and your partner might not appreciate it.
What Size Grappling Dummy Should I Get?
A grappling dummy must match the size of the athlete, hence the differences in size and weight of stuffed dummies.
- Children train with dummies of 80-120 cm (2’6″ to 3’9″).
- Teens can switch to larger and heavier dummies – 130-150cm (4’2″ to 4’9″).
- Adults should get 150-170cm (4’9″ to 5’5″).
What Should I Fill a Grappling Dummy With?
Grappling dummies are usually being filled with what’s found nearby: old clothes, towels, and blankets. This is by far the most cost-effective method, because who doesn’t have old rags lying around? Here are materials you can fill a grappling dummy with:
Poly-Fil
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Crafter’s Poly-Fil (there’s a 25lb version too) is the best-selling fiberfill in America for toys and is therefore suitable for dummies. It’s resilient, hypo-allergenic, and has a smooth texture. You can also wash it in cold or warm water, just make sure to massage the fibers after to move it back into place.
You’ll need two or three bags of this filler to fill one dummy.
Shredded Paper
If you’re on a tight budget, you can find a local company that shreds their documents and ask them if they’re willing to give it away to sponsor your sports endeavors. Make sure to tell them that instead of wasting that paper, it can be put to good use!
Blankets and Towels
You can visit a second-hand store and buy every piece of cloth imaginable for a dollar, or you can take your old rags and clothes and fill it up. Some people cut their cloth up to create more pieces, but that’s entirely up to you.
Mixed Materials
You can use the materials listed above, but don’t forget about sand. You can take some from a local playground and add some towels, rags, and paper to mix it up. Just make sure to fill it with sand from the bottom up.
Are Grappling Dummies Worth It?
Yes and no.
Regularly visiting classes is extremely important to achieve good results, however, a need for a mannequin is caused by the absence of a gym or sparring partner.
In any case, a dummy perfectly replaces a partner. All of them, to some extent, imitate the body of a living human being. No doubt that a dummy will be your perfect partner and completely worth it if you cant visit classes.
However, if you’re thinking that a dummy can replace regular practice and you’ll somehow get better without attending class – forget about it, a dummy is NOT for you.
Conclusion
A dummy can come in handy to practice techniques when you’re away from your BJJ or MMA gym, but please do attend regular classes.
The dummy is NOT a complete replacement and should be used as an addition to your training, not a replacement.
Make sure you use the right filler or a mix of fillers to spice things up.
Hey guys I am pretty sure the combat sports mma wrestling dummy is not made of real leather. Their own website says ‘Synthetic Leather’. Other than that, great review!
Thanks for pointing that out, Tim! Fixed it 🙂