The Best BJJ Grappling Dummy on the Market: 7 Mini-Reviews

Looking for the best grappling dummy?

You’ve come to the right place! We’ve spent countless hours on the mat trying to improve our skills because we know: “Practice makes perfect.”

But sometimes you just want to drill down technique at home without annoying your significant other or pet. And that’s where a grappling dummy comes (or rather sits) to the rescue.

Let’s take a look at the best options:

Our Top Overall Pick	DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy For Self Defense Training – Vinyl 170cm UNFILLED 4.7	Check Price
Best Filled	Deluxe MMA Grappling Jiu Jitsu Ground & Pound Dummy 3.0 – Vinyl FILLED 4.6	Check Price
Best For All Ages	Grappling Dummy For Multiple Drills – Durable Canvas Fabrics UNFILLED 4.5	Check Price

Our Top Overall Pick

DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy For Self Defense Training – Vinyl 170cm UNFILLED

4.7

Check Price

Best Filled

Deluxe MMA Grappling Jiu Jitsu Ground & Pound Dummy 3.0 – Vinyl FILLED

4.6

Check Price

Best For All Ages

Grappling Dummy For Multiple Drills – Durable Canvas Fabrics UNFILLED

4.5

Check Price

What’s the Best Grappling Dummy for Training Jiu Jitsu?

There are a lot of choices out there, so we’ve put together a list of some of the best to help you find the right one for your needs – no matter if you train mixed martial arts (MMA) or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ).

Keep reading to learn more about the features, the pros and cons, and for which group each dummy would work best.

1. Best BJJ Dummy Overall – DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy

For durability + value, it’s hard to beat the DAAN MMA grappling dummy.

Great Example

DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy (Vinyl, 170 cm)

With exceptional durability and effortless cleaning, the DAAN Grappling Dummy is exceptional.

Made of high-quality vinyl and four-ply polyester-nylon thread with double-reinforced stitching AND a lifetime warranty, it’s literally a no-brainer.

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Made of thick, tough vinyl material with double-reinforced stitching using strong, 4-ply polyester/Nylon thread, this bad boy is extremely tough and can take a beating from even the most intense training sessions.

Since it comes unfilled, you can adjust the weight to your needs and weight class by changing the filler material: old t-shirts and socks, poly-fill, blankets, memory foam filler for bean bags, etc.

Once filled, it gives a realistic experience whether you’re on top, in mount, with back control, or you’re doing drills while it’s in the turtle position. It holds it’s seated, grappling position and shape and doesn’t just collapse like other grappling dummies when you apply pressure.

The dummy can move from seated, to supine, and of course, to turtle position, though, making it perfect for drilling turtle attacks, back takes, transitions to mount, back control, guard passing, guard escapes, knee on belly, and more.

At 170 cm, it’s the best jiu jitsu dummy for most adults. But kids or very tall BJJ players might prefer other grappling dummies on the list below.

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Waterproof and easy to clean
• Unfilled, so you can adjust the weight
• Perfect for drilling turtle position, knee on belly, mount, guard passing, etc.

Cons:

• Thick material and seated position can make it difficult to stuff
• The position of limbs is not ideal for drilling takedowns or certain submissions like the kimura

2. Best for Different Sizes – Jendila MMA Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Dummy

If you need a grappling dummy for your child who trains jiu jitsu, the x-small version of the Jendila grappling dummy is a great choice!

With a wide variety of sizes, it’s easy to find an appropriate size, especially if you need one bigger or smaller than average for teens or women who train.

Aside from the size range, one of the best features of this grappling dummy is the feet and heels. The articulated feet and heels mean you can drastically improve your heel hooks, ankle and leg locks, and knee bars.

In addition, the legs and arms can be straightened out and repositioned, making it ideal for drilling transitions to side control, mount, arm bars, kimuras, etc.

Although the canvas material is sturdy, it can be difficult to keep clean and tends to attract lint and hair.

Pros:

• Wide variety of size options, from x-small to x-large
• Knees and feet allow you to practice all sorts of basic BJJ moves like heel hooks, ankle and leg locks, and knee bars
• Limbs can be straightened and repositioned for more realistic submissions
• Unfilled, so you can adjust the weight

Cons:

• Canvas material can be difficult to clean
• Thicker neck is not ideal for practicing chokes

3. Best for Joint Manipulation – CBC MMA BJJ Jiu Jitsu Grapple Dummy

If you want to focus on joint locks like wrist locks and ankle locks as well as heel hooks, leg locks, and knee bars without injuring your partner, this dummy is the one for you.

Most dummies do not have wrists or hands, so this one is unique.

Filling any grappling dummy can be a little challenging at first, but this company has added zipper openings on the legs to provide easier access.

The elbows and knees are flexible enough to give you a realistic training experience while also providing a bit of resistance.

Although it’s constructed of durable material, the stitching at the extra joints can sometimes come loose with long use.

Pros:

• Articulated hands and feet for better practice with wrist and ankle locks, leg locks, etc.
• Zipper openings in legs, so it’s easier to fill
• Double reinforced shoulder straps to help with durability

Cons:

• Only available in x-large adult size, so not great for kids or smaller adults
• Stitching at the joints can come loose

4. Best for Kids – Hawk Sports Kids Grappling Dummy

At 39 inches, this unfilled dummy is the perfect size for kids who want to improve their jiu jitsu techniques without hurting their siblings or friends.

Made of lightweight premium quality canvas material that is heavy duty enough to last but soft enough to make training comfortable, this dummy can be filled to 30 pounds, which is an ideal dummy weight for kids.

All the limbs are moveable, so your little martial artist can work a proper armbar without hurting a human training partner. And kids love the smiley face!

Pros:

• Sized for kids
• Affordable option
• Durable dummy

Cons:

• It might be too small for older or taller kids
• Canvas material might be harder to keep clean

5. Best for Budget – JAYEFO Beast 58 BJJ Grappling Dummy

One of the most affordable dummy options on the market, if you’re starting and want to save money, this is a great option.

The cloth material might not be as easy to clean or as long-lasting as synthetic leather, but the affordable price is a huge bonus.

This versatile dummy features moveable arms, legs, waist, and head to work a wide range of techniques.

You can straighten it out to lay flat or bend it into a seated position, making it the perfect option for many different drills.

At six feet tall, this training dummy option might not be the ideal size for everyone.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Poseable arms and legs and moveable waist and head allow for many different jiu jitsu techniques

Cons:

• Size might be too big for women, teens, children, shorter men
• Material might be difficult to clean

6. Best for Takedowns – LEATHERAY MMA Jiu Jitsu Grappling Dummy Standing Position

If you’re looking to improve your takedowns, getting the work in safely with training partners can be difficult.

That’s where the LEATHERAY MMA Jiu Jitsu Grappling Dummy Standing Position comes in. The arm positioning makes it ideal for holding throwing or shooting a single or double-leg.

The LEATHERAY is available in three sizes, ranging from 4-6 feet, so it’s great for both kids and adults.

Although it’s great for takedowns and throws, the thick limbs and neck make this dummy less than ideal for work on other techniques and submissions.

Pros:

• Great for takedowns
• 3 sizes for kids through adults
• High-quality synthetic leather, durable and easy to clean

Cons:

• Thick body makes working on other jiu jitsu techniques and submissions more difficult

7. Best Filled – Ring to Cage Deluxe Jiu Jitsu Grappling Dummy 3.0

Although significantly more expensive than other dummies on the list, the Ring to Cage Deluxe Grappling Dummy comes pre-filled, taking the guesswork out of filling your dummy.

Tightly filled, this dummy holds its shape well, with sand in the shins to offer resistance when it’s kneeling.

Made of highly durable vinyl, options are available in sizes for both kids and adults. The limbs can be re-positioned, so you can work various submissions and techniques.

The price point makes this dummy a long-term investment, so you want to be absolutely sure it’s right for what you want to train.

Pros:

• You don’t have to fill it yourself
• Can hold positions or be re-positioned for many drills and techniques
• Durable vinyl holds up to vigorous training

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive
• You cannot adjust the weight

Why Use a Training Dummy?

Jiu jitsu is a grappling sport, so, most hours are spent working with a partner, learning and drilling positions, techniques, and transitions.

But sometimes, no matter how much work you put in at the gym, you hit a plateau in your training or sparring. You find yourself making the same mistakes over and over. You get stuck trying to think through a submission. You feel burned out.

So what can you do when you hit a plateau? How can you improve your game when just attending class isn’t enough? DRILLS.

Brazilian jiu jitsu drills build muscle memory which allows your body to move seamlessly from one position to the next while your brain is busy thinking about escapes and submissions.

You can do plenty of solo drills at home, but some of the best drills to sharpen BJJ movements and submission techniques work best with a partner.

However, many BJJ practitioners find that a BJJ or MMA dummy is the perfect training partner for practicing drills, techniques, and submissions outside of class and training sessions.

And some of the benefits of using a high-quality grappling dummy instead of an actual training partner include:

1. Available 24/7 whenever the mood strikes you or right after you watched that YouTube technique video showing a new choke you want to try
2. You can go 100% on submissions, knee on belly, etc., without fear of injuring your real training partner
3. Dummies don’t get tired or sick like a real person, so you can drill/train as long as you want
4. You can focus on drills specific to whatever you need to improve muscle memory for without feeling selfish

Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Grappling Dummy?

So, who should purchase a grappling dummy? Anyone who wants to be better at jiu jitsu! Seriously, you’ll be amazed at how much you can improve just by spending even a few minutes a day drilling at home.

Now that you’ve seen some of the best options on the market keep reading to learn more about what to look for in a grappling dummy.

Types of Dummies

Basically, there are three types of BJJ dummies available, and each works best for different types of training.

Limbless

These dummies are heavy bags with no limbs or head and often have handles on the side. They are extremely durable and work for drilling transitions like knee on belly to mount to side control. Some grapplers can use the handles to practice takedowns as well as get in conditioning work. But since they do not have arms or legs, you cannot practice most jiu jitsu techniques or submissions.

Training Mannequin

These dummies are realistically shaped like actual people, with arms, legs, and heads. There is still a wide range of options as far as length of arms and legs, positioning, articulated hands, and feet, with or without wrists and ankles, and whether or not the limbs are pliable or rigid. This type is best if you want to practice submissions like arm bars or leg locks.

Standing Grappling Dummy

Although these dummies are human-shaped, they are usually more blocky, less realistic, and more rigid. There are sometimes three “legs” in a tripod shape to enable the standing position. These are best if you want to practice takedowns and throws.

Features You Want in a Grappling Dummy

Here are some key tips to keep in mind when your choosing your perfect dummy.

Flexibility

Some grappling dummies have distinct joints. Some have limbs you can straighten or reposition. Flexibility might be very important depending on the type of drills you want to do. For instance, if you want to work closed guard techniques, you need a dummy that can bend at the knees. If you want to concentrate on mount and side control and transitions, you will need a dummy that can flatten out. Think about your training goals to help you decide.

Size

There are a wide range of sizes available, from 39 inches to 72 inches. You should look for a dummy that is roughly your size. Some dummies stay in certain positions (e.g., seated), so consider that when considering the size.

Weight

For most adults, filling your dummy to around 100-120 pounds seems to work best, so you can still move it around fairly easily. For kids, 20-30 pounds is average. Be sure to check the weight capacity before purchasing your dummy.

Durability

The more expensive grappling dummies are often made of the highest-quality material (synthetic leather, durable leather, genuine leather, faux leather) that is waterproof and easy to clean.

More affordable choices made of canvas material or a good, durable polyester might not be as tough and long-lasting and might be more difficult to clean.

Consider how often you will use your dummy and how vigorously you want to train when deciding how important durability is to you vs cost.

Always check to make sure the company uses reinforced stitching, triple stitching, or more, especially in joint areas.

Filled vs. Unfilled

Although most of the dummies on the market come unfilled, there are pre-filled dummies available.

Pre-filled grappling dummies take the hassle out of filling the equipment, but they are usually much more expensive and don’t provide as much flexibility for your needs since you can’t adjust the weight.

Common Problems To Look Out For

You’ll want to keep these in mind and consider whether these are important to you.

Filling the Dummy

When buying an unfilled dummy, many people find it very tedious, difficult, and expensive to fill it properly.

Using smaller items like socks first can be helpful to fill feet, hands, and limbs before using blankets, towels, sheets, or t-shirts for the torso.

Poly-fill from a hobby store is also a fairly inexpensive and easy option.

Overfilling

Sometimes people overestimate how heavy the dummy needs to be in order to get good training.

Understanding that the dummy is basically dead weight will help you gauge how much to fill. Too much dead weight is not helpful or realistic, so aim for around a third or half the weight of a person of the same size as your dummy.

Best Grappling Dummy in Closing

Unlike many other sports, BJJ doesn’t involve a lot of pieces of equipment to buy. But investing in a good grappling dummy can go a long way toward improving your game. If you’re currently in the market for a durable grappling dummy that provides many great features, we recommend looking at the DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy.

Made of heavy-duty vinyl that is long-lasting and very easy to clean, the DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy provides the best bang for your buck, combining durability and value.

Besides the quality material, the DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy holds its seated/turtle position well, which makes it ideal for speed and technique drills where you need a little resistance. The DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy is also good for working closed guard, back takes, and transitions, which are essential for any good jiu jitsu player.

The DAAN MMA Grappling Dummy is available now on Amazon. Check it out today!

And for more beginner MMA equipment, check out our complete list!