Any suggestions for a grappling man dummy?

[Robbie]

I think a grappling dummy would be useful because I like to use a lot of power in my techniques and also when I don't have anyone else to train with,so any info would be appreciated,such as what brand do you use and does it hold up well?

[Mr. Miyagi]

I have a suggestion. Don't buy it. You're better off watching tapes. I heard that Frank's new tapes involve movements that would be used in striking and grappling rolled into a workout, maybe that would be helpful. I can't imagine a dummy being remotely useful for grappling training. Maybe for striking but for grappling you need a living, breathing partner.

[Badger]

Try making one!

A little while back I posted on how to make one.
Mako gave me the idea to go to an army surplus store & buy a MOP gear suit(the cuffs on the arms,legs&head close)
stuff it & use styrofoam pool tubes for the arms&legs.
It should cost around $25.
Hope this helps!



-Badger

[John Bennett]

They are pretty expensive, but check out...

http://www.suplay.com/

[L3FTH00K]

damm john ypur not kidding those are pretty expensive. They also do not look life like. If I'm going to spend upward of 500 dollars go buy the dummy that can do it all. The one I'm talking about looks life like and it can be hanged so you can strike it too. I see it advertise in black belt mag and you can buy it at http://www.gomas.com

[Ryu (non-working password]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with Mr. Miyagi here.
Grappling dummies are a great tool for your grappling knowledge. Almost all the pro grappers use them at least once in a while, Dan Severn uses them a lot.
Miyagi is right that you need a living, resisting opponent in order to progress and give the body the experience it needs during grappling. A dummy by no means takes the place of sparring with people.
But in my honest opinion it can be used as the next best thing. For instance, full power ground and pound cannot be trained with a live partner. You can go at half speed, etc. But unless you want a full NHB fight (most don't) you need a way to drill the ground and pound until it becomes just a reflex of your body. So when you take a live opponent to the ground, you automatically throw a headbutt into his face while he's busy with the shock of landing on the ground. It becomes a natural reaction. Also all wrestlers train with dummies because of suplexes. Sorry, no live partner will want to volunteer for these drills. If you want to work realistic suplexes into your workout, get a dummy.
Repition of technique can be used on a dummy as well, and this can enhance the kinestetic feel of your body performing the move. Now again, this doesn't mean you can pull it off on a resisting opponent, so you need to spar and roll. But the body feel of the technique is better than just sitting around and thinking about it.
I really feel grappling dummies if used correctly, and creatively can really enhance your abilities. When I was rolling at a school every week, it was the workouts with the wrestling dummy, that helped in the "familiarization" of being on the ground, and because of it I got better fast.
So I wouldn't leave out training with them just because they don't fight back. The heavy bag doesn't punch back, but is a large part of the boxer's training.
Nothing takes the place of live opponents, but when someone is just sitting on the couch because they don't have one..I'm training and suplexing a dummy and getting a bit more experienced.

Take care,
Ryu

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

A real one you say???


http://www.realdolls.com, its pretty realistic on how the dummys are made.

[Mr. Miyagi]

What do you need a dummy for when you have Ryu?

[Ryu (non-working password]

Hey it was a respectful disagreement

[Robbie]

Thanks for the replies.I have live training partners but I was thinking of buying one of the grappling dummies for when one of my training partners can't train.