As any Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fighter worth their salt knows, training with the correct gear and equipment can be the difference between mastering a new technique and developing bad form. In an ideal world, you would always have an experienced sparring partner to train with. However, unless you are a pro fighter already, this won’t be the case. Your next best bet is to buy the best grappling dummy available to train with when you aren’t at the gym.
Top 3 Picks
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
The Ultimate Grappling Dummies Buyers Guide
A grappling dummy allows you to train your grappling techniques (and sometimes even striking and/or kicking techniques) at home. By being able to practise your form and grapple skills more often, you can have more successful sparring and training sessions at the gym.
You will find the dummies in many different weights, shapes, sizes and designs. For example, some are bags with handles attached and others are made to mimic a human opponent. In order to practise your striking and kicking technique, you will need to invest in a dummy which can stand up.
When ordering, be sure to check whether the dummy is delivered filled or unfilled (of course if ordering a filled option, you should expect more expensive shipping fees as the dummy will be significantly heavier). If you order an unfilled product, make sure that you have a suitable material (most often cotton or a similar material) on hand to fill the dummy with.
Prices vary depending on the size, type and brand dummy that you are ordering. The more basic ones are also the most affordable whereas freestanding and more specialist ones will often come with a higher price tag. You should consider a number of factors to decide which bag to buy including:
- Your experience level (are you a beginner or an expert fighter? If you have been training for years, a basic bag might not be much help in taking your fighting skills to the next level).
- Your budget.
- The area and space that you have available for training.
- What you intend to use the grappling dummy for (for practising simple grappling techniques, a more basic dummy will be perfectly fine).
Below we have identified and reviewed some of the best grappling dummies available online. We have taken in to account a number of review criteria including how much the dummy weights, the size of the dummy, who it is suitable for and what it is made out of. These are all key factors in the purchase of a dummy.
If, after reviewing the details below, you still find a professionally made grappling dummy too expensive, try making your own wrestling dummy.
Tables of Contents
Best Grappling Dummies
- Ring to Cage Deluxe Grappling Dummy
- Combat Sports Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Dummy
- Century Black & Red VS. 2 Versys Grappling Simulator
- CBC MMA Grapple Dummy 2.0
- Celebrita MMA Grappling Dummy
- QMUK Grappling Dummy
- Hawk Sports Unfilled Grappling Dummy
- DEAGLE MMA Doctor Bane Submission Dummy
- Bestzo MMA/BJJ Grappling Dummy
- Combat Sports Youth Grappling Dummy
Review Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The 10 Best Grappling Dummies
1. Ring to Cage Deluxe Grappling Dummy for MMA & Jiu-Jitsu
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
This high-quality dummy features tight-filled polyester coated vinyl. The tight feel is ideal for wrestling and grappling as it mimics an opponent resisting movement. The dummy also includes hands and feet attachments, allowing for wrist and ankle submission practice and other moves involving joint manipulation.
Size & Weight
The dummy is available in two sizes; adult and child. The adult dummy mimics a 6ft man and is about 65 pounds (lbs). The child dummy approximates a 4ft 6 inch opponent and weighs about 30lbs. This brand is ideal for customizing your experience for either adult or juvenile grappling training.
Positives
- Durable polyester coated vinyl.
- Tight feel mimics a resisting opponent.
- Hand and feet attachments for wrist and ankle submission practise.
- Adult and child sizes available.
Negatives
- More expensive option so it is likely that only more-advanced fighters will benefit from the products superb performance.
2. Combat Sports Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Dummy
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
The Combat Sports Dummies primary material is military-grade vinyl, which is both durable and easy to clean. The dummy stands upright, allowing for the easy practice of tackles, takedowns, strikes, and grapples that begin in the proper position without risk of injury to yourself or a potential grappling partner.
Size & Weight
The Combat Sport Dummy is available in various sizes, ranging from 70-140lbs and 5ft 6 inches – 5ft 10 inches. The variety of weights and heights make it a skill-building choice for most adult women and men, though the sizes will be too large for most children.
Positives
- Made out of strong military-grade vinyl. Be as aggressive as you like with this dummy.
- Stands upright so suitable for a wider range of training sessions and fighting styles.
- Practise everything from takedowns and grappling to kicking and punching.
- Suitable for male and female fighters.
Negatives
- Not the best option for younger and weaker fighters (too tall for most kids to use it).
3. Century Black & Red VS.2 Versys Grappling Simulator
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
This Century Black and Red Grappling dummy is a plastic option that’s easy to clean. It also has a unique feature of standing upright on its own, simulating a resisting opponent much better than other dummies. It is ideal for striking, grappling, armbars/armlocks, leg locks, and other techniques from the upright position.
Size & Weight
This product is available in one size and weight option. It is 4ft 11 inches tall and weighs about 45lbs. The medium size is ideal for average-sized adult men and women, though taller adults will struggle with the smaller size. The medium size and weight are ideal for most children and teenage fighters.
Positives
- Easy to clean plastic material (kid friendly).
- Upright standing feature.
- Good option for arm and leg lock training.
- Medium range in terms of height and weight (good family option).
Negatives
- Less suitable for bigger, stronger and more experienced fighters.
4. CBC MMA Grapple Dummy 2.0
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
The exterior features canvas material, and the dummy is designed with easy-to-use zippers to fill the dummy with your desired material, though the manufacturer recommends cotton. It also includes simulated wrists, so wrist locks, submissions, and grappling can all be practised using this product.
Size & Weight
The dummy mimics a 70 inches tall kneeling adult, and the weight will vary depending on how much material you stuff the dummy with. Though the weight varies, the height is best for adult men and women since children will struggle with proper form because of the dummy’s size.
Positives
- Easy-to-use zippers make filling and un-filling (if you want to transport the grappling dummy) quick and easy.
- Simulated wrists allows you to practise your wrist locks, submissions/tap-outs and grappling.
- Kneeling design is unique and creative making it great for a more interesting training session.
- Suitable for men and women.
Negatives
- Likely too heavy and big for children to train with.
5. Celebrita MMA Grappling Dummy
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
The Celebrita dummy utilizes canvas material, which is the best option for long-lasting durability. The kneeling position and curved legs make this a favorite of Jiu-Jitsu grapplers. The body’s resistance encourages real-world form and practice — an excellent choice for a niche grappling dummy.
Size & Weight
The Celebrita dummy is 70 inches long and accepts up to 60 pounds of material. The customizable fill makes this another excellent option for adult male and female grapplers of most sizes. This dummy is not as suitable for significant striking practice or general use by children.
Positives
- Strong canvas material.
- Great for Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and MMA training.
- At approximately 60lbs, the dummy is great for intermediate fighters and a wider range of users.
- Kneeling design is great for matt/floor work.
Negatives
- Kneeling position makes the dummy less suitable for proper striking and kicking training.
6. QMUK Grappling Dummy
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
Constructed with fine canvas material, this is another dummy that is a good choice for general martial arts practice. The bends in the arms allow for grappling and lock-out technique training, and the upright design encourages striking practice — an excellent choice for grappling and striking beginners that want a quality product.
Size & Weight
The dummy is delivered unfilled and can accommodate up to about 35 pounds of material. It also comes in both 40 inch and 47 inch designs, making this product an ideal choice for a wide range of ages. Due to the size, adults will likely be disappointed with this product and should consider a larger, heavier dummy.
Positives
- Premium canvas material is long-lasting and durable.
- Great option for more generic training.
- Bent arm design allows you to practise lock-out submissions and a wide range of grappling techniques.
Negatives
- Comes unfilled so you will need to fill yourself (this is true of most dummies on our list).
- Not big and heavy enough for larger and stronger adults to effectively build their grappling skillset (you wouldn’t be able to simulate grappling with bigger opponents if your dummy doesn’t weigh more).
7. Hawk Sports Grappling Dummy (UNFILLED)
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
The Hawks Sports Grappling Dummy is made from canvas material and held together with premium double-stitching. While the dummy offers dynamic practice for a wide range of martial arts techniques, the manufacturers specifically say it is ideal for grappling practice. The weight and feel is ideal for takedowns and throws!
Size & Weight
The dummy comes unfilled, so you can customize the weight and firmness. The height is six feet, making the dummy a suitable choice for most adult men and women. It is however too tall for most children, though larger children may enjoy using it for knee drills and could grow in to it.
Positives
- Strong canvas material.
- Stitched together with premium double-stitching.
- Suitable for a wide range of martial arts techniques and disciplines.
- An ideal weight for takedown and throw practise.
Negatives
- The dummy is on the taller side so might not be best for smaller and younger fighters.
8. DEAGLE MMA Doctor Bane Grappling Submission Dummy
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
A versatile option for training a wide variety of techniques, the DEAGLE MMA Doctor Bane Dummy is made with a top-grade canvas that is extremely durable. The legs and arms move naturally, allowing for realistic limb locks, submissions, and other techniques. An excellent choice for comprehensive and well-rounded training sessions.
Size & Weight
The dummy is 6ft tall and can comfortably accommodate 40-80lbs of filling, though the manufacturer says you can fill it as heavily as 150+lbs. With a wide range of weights available, this dummy is best for adult male and female fighters of various strengths and sizes.
Positives
- Suitable for multiple martial arts training (BJJ, MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling etc.).
- Natural limb movements makes for effective limb lock and submission training.
- Can be filled with up to (and possibly even over) 150lbs worth of your favourite material.
- Multiple weight options available.
Negatives
- More suitable for adult men and women as opposed to child fighters.
9. Bestzo MMA/BJJ Grappling Dummy
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
Another dummy made from high-quality canvas, the Bestzo MMA Grappling dummy is handy for training a wide range of techniques. Designed in the kneeling position, it is ideal for strikes, tosses, submissions, and any technique you feel like practicing. If you are looking to develop a broad range of fighting skills, this is a great choice.
Size & Weight
This dummy is available in several sizes. It is available in 4ft, 5ft, and 6ft and can accommodate weights between 77 – 150lbs. One of the best options for larger, stronger fighters, the wide range of heights and weights can accommodate most adult male and female grapplers, as well as stronger youth fighters.
Positives
- Kneeling position design makes it ideal for throw and submission training.
- Good for developing a broader range of fighting skills.
- 4ft, 5ft and 6ft height options available.
Negatives
None that we could think of.
10. Combat Sports Youth Grappling Dummy
*Details last updated on 2023-05-26
Materials
This Combat Sports Dummy construction incorporates nylon material that is durable and very easy to clean. With bent arms and an upright stance, it is a solid choice for fighters looking to practice strikes, tackles, submissions, and throws. In short, it’s ideal for youths wanting to practice a wider range of martial arts disciplines.
Size & Weight
This dummy is available in two sizes: 35 and 50lbs. Each weight option is 48 inches tall, which makes both ideal for juvenile fighters. The progression in weight is great for cementing form and training the strength required for throws and other techniques.
Positives
- Strong nylon material (a more unique option).
- Easy to clean.
- Bent arms and upright design makes this dummy a great option for training strikes, grappling technique, throws and some kicks.
- 2 size options (35lbs and 50lbs).
Negatives
- Better for youth fighters so adults might want to go with a heavier and larger dummy.
Our Best Grappling Dummy Review Criteria
In order to provide our readers with the most accurate, useful and usable purchasing information, we use a strict set of review criteria to comment on the products that we are reviewing. When it comes to providing helpful information about the best grappling dummies, we use the following review criteria.
Materials
One of the first things to consider when reviewing a grappling dummy is the materials used to construct it. After all, the dummy will be thrown around aggressively and often. If a weak material has been used, it won’t last long. Furthermore, the material should ideally be easy to clean, maintain and long lasting. It is not only the material of the dummy that we need to consider though, we also need to think about how they are stitched together and if any additional materials have been used for specialist functionality (like the mimicking of wrist and/or ankle joints).
Size & Weight
Next you will want to consider how big (or small) the dummy is and how much it weighs. These will determine who the dummy is most suitable for and what training purposes it can be used for. For example, a 6ft tall dummy will be great for older and more advanced fighters but not a good option for children and beginners. On the other hand, a family looking to train together might want a dummy in the medium size range (e.g. 4ft 6 inches) to make it more suitable for anyone hoping to train with it.
Price & Additional Features
When reviewing the above grappling dummies, we also considered any additional features that they offered and, of course, how much they cost. Some features such as if the dummy can stand up-right helps to determine if it is a good option for a more advanced fighter and/or for those looking to train in multiple martial arts disciplines. Price is also important as different fighters will have many different budgets set aside for their training equipment and fighting gear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do I stuff a grappling dummy with?
You can stuff a grappling dummy with a number of different materials. Some options include:
- Paper
- Shredded towels
- Blankets
- Sand
- Old clothes
- Cloth
- Cotton
- Pillows
- A combination of the above.
For best results, you should check the product page and/or the manufacturers advice on the best material to stuff your grappling dummy with.
What martial arts disciplines can I train with a grappling dummy?
The great thing about a grappling dummy is that they can be used to train a wide range of martial arts disciplines. For example, you could use one to develop your wrestling skills, MMA moves and/or BJJ skills (to name just a few). If your dummy can be stood upright, you can even use it to train in boxing, kickboxing and more by practising your striking and kicking technique on it.
Are grappling dummies any good?
Many people find themselves asking if drilling with a grappling dummy is any good. Whilst the answer to this of course depends on how effectively use the dummy, you can see some real benefit from training with a grappling dummy. It is important to note however that they are not a complete substitute to a real sparring partner. The dummies can’t move and defend themselves or counter attack and for this reason, they will never be the most effective form of training. They can however complement your sparring and standard training sessions.
How do you make a grappling dummy heavy?
Put simply, you fill the dummy with heavier and more materials. Towels, old clothing and/or sand are all good options to make a dummy slightly heavier. Also, make sure that you are tightly filling (without over-filling) the dummy, especially in the arms and legs.
How do you use a grappling dummy?
To effectively use a grappling dummy, you should practise the techniques and moves that you are learning in your traditional martial arts training sessions. You can practise things like throws, submissions, locks and chokes at varying speeds and from a number of different positions to perfect the techniques behind your combat style.
Sources
Wikipedia, Grappling, Accessed on 29th November 2020.
Association of Boxing Commissions, Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, Accessed on 29th November 2020.
Best thing to fill the bag with?
Afternoon Giles, thanks for leaving your comment and reading.
We actually put together a guide to filling a punching bag which might come in handy: https://sportarly.com//how-to-fill-a-punching-bag/.
In general old clothes, pillows and even a bit of sand (depending on how heavy you want your dummy to be) can make good fillings.
Make sure you read the instructions for your particular dummy though to find out the best materials to fill it with.
Thanks
Jake
Thanks for the article, I love my dummy. Me and my brother train a minimum of 4 days a week these days and there isn’t a workout quite like it. We went with the Bestzo one and filled it with old pillow cases and clothing.
Ah amazing! I agree the workouts are challenging. Personally sparring kills me. The grappling training is a close second though for sure.