Grappling dummies are a fantastic alternative to attending martial arts classes, which will get expensive. In fact, they usually include monthly payments, which some may be unwilling to do. Because of that, finding an alternative- is fantastic.
Today, grappling dummies are more common than ever. However, most people find it challenging to fill them. Because of that, I wanted to write an article on the best ways one can go about filling one’s grappling dummy effortlessly.
So, here are the best ways you can fill your grappling dummy:
- #1- Sand
- #2- Blankets
- #3- Pillows
- #4- Paper
- #5- Poly fillers
- #6- Towels
- #7- Shredded paper/clothes
- #8- Wool fillers
- #9- Old clothing
- #10- Dolls/Soft objects
I can understand why some people struggle with this action. Although it doesn’t sound too tricky, numerous solutions will lead you into a world of trouble. As a result, knowing which materials work as fillers- is helpful for our situation.
Mixing a few of these fillers in your grappling dummy will lead to a more realistic feel for your dummy since it’ll be less predictable and feel natural. As a result, mixing a few materials will boost your enjoyment and progression while using the grappling dummy.
#1- Sand
The first filler we can use for our situation- is sand. 3-years ago, when I first bought a punching bag, I was looking for fillers. First, I tried water, but it didn’t quite work since it kept spilling from the side. Finally, however, one material seemed to do the work.
You can fill your grappling dummy with sand because it’s both soft and easy to attain. As a result, you can get large amounts of sand while keeping the realism of the grappling dummy. As such, you’ll ensure your progression while enjoying the training more.
#2- Blankets
Honestly, blankets are suitable as fillers, yet they have one problem: they’re lightweight. Because of that, the training experience won’t be as realistic as you can achieve with your grappling dummy.
Conversely, sand is more suitable as a filler because it’ll provide a level of realism since it’s sturdy. On the other hand, filling with blankets is more accessible than most other items on our list. Thus it can be an easy solution for everyone looking to complete the job efficiently.
#3- Pillows
Similar to blankets, filling with pillows is more accessible to more people. Because of that, you can load a grappling dummy with only pillows with relative ease. However, there’s one problem that comes with cushions.
If you fill your grappling dummy with pillows, it won’t be as realistic as if you had done it with sand or poly fillers. However, it’s an accessible solution for more people. Thus it’s also a suitable one that you can experiment with. Keep in mind that the dummy will be lightweight.
#4- Paper
Such a solution may seem impossible to some, yet, it’s possible to complete. Although it’ll be more complicated than blankets or pillows, one can get a more realistic approach with paper. However, remember that you’ll need a large amount of paper.
On the other hand, you can complement other fillers, such as blankets or pillows with paper. As a result, you’ll achieve a more realistic and heavy dummy while maintaining an easy solution.
#5- Poly fillers
Honestly, using poly fillers in your grappling dummy is the best option out of all this list for a couple of reasons. First, you can access it in large amounts by ordering them online. As a result, you won’t have to work too hard to get them.
Moreover, many companies will sell you a bundle of a grappling dummy combined with poly fillers. Therefore, you can buy both items and thus save a world of trouble.
Secondly, poly fillers provide a realistic feel for your grappling figure. As a result, by using them, you’ll enjoy the training experience more than if you were to use other materials, such as blankets.
Lastly, you can mix other materials, such as paper and towels, with poly fillers. Consequently, you’ll find that the job becomes more manageable than if you had to use a single material. In addition, the experience will become more realistic and exciting.
If you’re interested in buying high-quality poly fillers, I encourage you to follow the link to Amazon to buy the best one for filling grappling dummies.
#6- Towels
Similar to blankets and pillows, you most likely own some towels already and may have some spare ones. As a result, you can use them to fill your grappling dummy. However, most people don’t have enough extra towels to fill a 100lbs doll.
Because of that, you can use other fillers to mix with some spare towels. Therefore, you’ll pack up the dummy’s weight while giving it a realistic feel, which will boost your progress. Hence using towels- is wise and beneficial.
#7- Fabric
You’ll often notice that people use fabric to fill their figures. That happens for two main reasons; it’s easy to attain and fill. As a result, you’ll have an incredibly effortless time completing the job in a matter of minutes.
Nevertheless, mixing fabric with other materials- such as wool, clothing, sand, and paper- is wise and will make the dummy more realistic. As a result, you’ll have a more enjoyable time training with it and progress faster than if you used a single material.
#8- Wool fillers
Like poly fillers, you can also use wool to complete the job. However, it’ll be more challenging to fill the grappling dummy using only that- unless you possess a large amount of this material. I don’t recommend buying wool fillers separately with the figure because it’ll most likely cost more than the item itself.
As a result, buying wool fillers will double or even triple the number you spend on them. Nonetheless, if you already possess wool fillers, it’s one of the best materials you can use for this particular job.
If you’re interested in looking up prices or buying wool fillers, here’s the best one for you. (AMAZON)
#9- Old clothing
Honestly, you’re most likely to use old clothing to assist you in completing the job for three primary reasons. Here they are:
- Everyone has old clothing
- Attaining more of it- is easy
- It’ll provide a realistic feel for the dummy
Most likely, you have old clothing- and plenty of it. So whether you wear them or not, you can invest them for now as fillers to use later. But first, you’ll need plenty of old clothing to use as exclusive material.
Because of that, it’ll be best if you combine old clothing with other items on this list, such as dirt, poly fillers, and even sand. As a result, you’ll achieve a more realistic feel while making the job easier than ever.
#10- Dirt
Dirt is a valuable material to use as a filler because you can get your hands on plenty of it cheaply. Thus you’ll have no problem completing the job- effortlessly.
Most plant nurseries will sell large quantities of dirt for cheaper than you may initially think. Now, dirt will also make the grappling dummy heavier, which is more difficult to attain with the previous materials. Additionally, you’ll get your hands on a large quantity- cheaply and easily.
The best grappling dummy
Buying a high-quality grappling dummy- will ensure you’ll enjoy the training process more. Moreover, it has some valuable metrics that make it more beneficial, such as durability, flexibility, and a solid company behind it.
Best Grappling Dummy
Jayefo Beast 58 BJJ Wrestling Dummy for Grappling
If you’re interested in buying a high-quality grappling dummy- that is reliable, durable, flexible, and has a fantastic company behind it, I encourage you to buy this one- by Jayefo.
How to fill a grappling dummy
The process of filling a grappling dummy is relatively straightforward. In this section, I’ll review which parts to begin filling step-by-step. After reading the following paragraph, you can start working on your grappling dummy if you haven’t already.
To fill a grappling dummy effectively- you’ll start with the feet and ankles. Once you’re done with that, continue to fill the legs densely. Then, switch to the arms and head before packing the chest/back area. Finally, start loading the chest and back area with your last efforts.
It would be best if you filled the grappling dummy densely. If you don’t, using it- won’t be as realistic as if you had done it the way I suggested. In addition, the figure will have numerous weak spots. As a result, training with it- won’t be enjoyable nor practical.
An advanced tip is to use lightweight materials where they’ll be more realistic. For instance, if you use incredibly heavyweight and dense items such as dirt or sand to fill the hands, they’ll fall back to the head. So instead, fill them with poly fillers or towels to ensure a more realistic feel.
To summarize:
- Begin with the feet and ankles.
- Load the legs densely.
- Once you have finished that, move to the head and arms.
- Complete the work with the chest and back area.
- Ensure you fill the doll densely.
Is buying a grappling dummy worth it?
Buying a grappling dummy is worth it because it’ll assist you in progressing outside your fighting gym. As a result, you’ll progress at home in any martial art you do, including Judo, Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, or any other fighting style.
How heavy should a grappling dummy be?
On average, a grappling dummy should weigh 80lbs (36.2kg). However, the number ranges depending on your size and weight. Thus you can fill the figure to weigh anywhere from 30lbs to 130lbs (13-59kg). Begin to experiment with different fillers to maneuver the weight to ensure optimization.
Final words
Buying a grappling dummy- is wise because it’ll allow you to progress without spending too much on fighting classes. Moreover, it can complement your training process by giving you a platform to practice your grappling techniques and hone them.
However, filling a grappling dummy- is a somewhat complex job if you’re unfamiliar with the appropriate fillers. Nonetheless, now that you know which materials are most suitable, you can complete the job effortlessly and quickly.