Top 10 Best Grappling Dummies for BJJ and MMA 2022

Like with any fighting discipline, you learn best in a 2 person environment. Learning to fight against another human being gives you real experience and it teaches you how people move and react in different fighting positions. 

However, you won’t always have another person around when you want to practise. That’s why a grappling dummy is the next best thing!

Grappling dummies help you simulate a BJJ / grappling match. Unlike with another real person in the gym, a dummy allows you to practise any offensive or defensive position you want, at your own pace. 

If your partner has as much patience for you as a dummy does, then never let that person go!

TYPES OF DUMMIES

GRAPPLING

Grappling and submission dummies usually come with flexible limbs that you can practice submissions on them such as Kimuras, arm locks and trianges.

You can practice these submissions from all angles; half mount, side control or full mount.

These dummies will typically be lighter than other types, which will make them less useful for drilling takedowns or throws. However, this allows them to be more flexible which is needed to simulate submission techniques.

THROWING / STRIKING

Throwing dummies, on the other hand, are made for an different purpose. They are designed for takedown practice and to withstand ground and pound.

They are therefore much more rigid than submission dummies, built with stiff material and limbs. Being much heavier means they can simulate the weight of a human when performing takedowns. They should come with heavy filling so they will absorb heavy ground and pound.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DUMMY

FLEXIBILITY

This is very important to look out for in your end choice. You would want a grappling dummy that is flexible enough to be put into any submission that you could put a human being in. However, you also want to make sure that the dummy will return to its original shape once you let go of your submission.

 

Flexibility allows you to practice different kinds of submissions. So, you should be able to put your dummy into a kneeling positioin for submissions in your guard. It should also have full arm motion so you can drill armbars etc.

A dummy that is too stiff won’t be good for submissions as it won’t bend like a human would, these kinds of dummies are better for striking / takedown practice.

Ask your seller about this before you buy their product.

DURABILITY

Like with most combat sports gear, you need to favour quality over price. Your BJJ dummy should be made from durable materials that won’t rip and tear after frequent use.

As the dummies take a lot of punishment, you will find that a low quality and non-durable option will break in a matter of months, not years.

Check that the product is reinforced along the joint areas, so the limbs are unlikely to tear off when you pull at them.

The more seams and stitches which are reinforced, the longer the dummy will last you.

WEIGHT

Picking the correct weight is also very important before buying. You’ll find that weights can vary quite drastically in your online options.

So how do you know the right weight for you? Well, you want to pick one that is heavy enough that it requires some effort from you to move it, but not so much weight that it will cause you to injure yourself. 

Remember that you will need to be able to throw your dummy around, as well as lift it to and from your workout area. 

if you go too light, then it won’t simulate a human well enough, and if you go too heavy you may injure yourself.

MATERIAL

Material is another important consideration before purchase.

Material affects the quality and durability of the product. Some are made with thick canvas, or artificial leather which will last longer than cheaper materials like cotton.

FILLING

BJJ dummies will come in 2 varieties; filled, or unfilled. 

Filled options are usually loaded up with sand. They will be more expensive to ship (as they weigh more) but it saves you the hassle of filling it up yourself at home.

Unfilled options require you to fill the dummy yourself. A popular option is old clothes you have in the house, which you can squeeze into the casing. You could also use sand to fill it up yourself, however, people tend to find clothes more comfortable to roll with than sand.

HEIGHT

It’s important to check the height of the dummies online. They will range from smaller kids options, up to full grown male adult. Depending on who you are getting the dummy for, you will need to pick an appropriate size. 

It makes little sense buying a child a 6 foot grapply dummy as they won’t be able to life it, and it won’t simulate the size of the opponent they are likely facing.

USABLE POSITIONS 

Be sure to check what positions you can place your BJJ grappling dummy in.

Usually they are used in 3 different positions.

PRONE

This is when the dummy is on its back, and you can practice your groundwork on them. You can lay heavy ground n pound into them, or practice moving around it from full mount, to side mount, guard etc.

UPRIGHT

You could also check whether it can stay upright by itself. This way you can practice takedowns and strikes on it.

KNEELING

Finally, some dummies are flexible enough to site kneeling by themselves. This offers another starting position for your to practice your BJJ, wrestling or MMA.