Hi guys,
I bought a few months ago a grappling dummy because the only bjj club in my city was really not beginner friendly and i wanted to train from home.
I've read almost only good things online on the Fairtex Maddox and I seized the opportunity to buy a second hand one not too far from my home.
I've tried a few exercices with it but I didn't take much pleasure so far. My height is average, I'm 174 for 80kg but I have the feeling that it's completely oversized. It feels stiff and gigantic :
- the legs are super hard and heavy so i'm tired really fast when trying some guard passing if the legs need to be lifted
- the neck is so thick I can't go around when trying some chokes like the ninja
- so is the torso, I can't close a body triangle
- I can do a leg triangle but it's hard to lock my legs (I've take a few private classes so I know that i can close it easily on a human being)
- It's so heavy that I can barely lift it when trying a sweep from a bottom position
I don't take much pleasure with it and I'm starting to think to resell it and find maybe a grappling smarty type dummy who seems less complicating to train with, lighter and more flexible.
Has anyone had a similar experience with this dummy ? Maybe i'm doing something wrong, or lacking flexibility for some of the things that I've tried ? Maybe the size does not fit mine ? What do you think ?
Thank you very much :)
I doubt the best dummy will feel 100% realistic. There are mixed opinions about what value they bring to your training. I think what they are best for is grappling workouts to build up conditioning and working on micro details that you can't really do with a training partner for high reps. For conditioning, if you treat it the same way a striker uses a punching bag as a compliant reference point, you can use the dummy the same way. Even the worst dummy will let you use it for passes like toreando, knee slide, over/under, various pressure passing. Most should be good for butterfly guard. If you use a belt around the waist and use a strong tie down wrap to secure it to your ceiling, you can make it hold a hovering like posture that makes guard practice a little less cumbersome. I don't think they are the best way to practice certain subs because it doesn't feel exactly like a person and finishes can be nuanced based on feedback from live partners. Where it can be helpful though is if you think of anything you learn in class or watch online, there are a number of steps before you get to the finish. Focusing on the entry and the steps to get to the finish while focusing on the small details like how you grip, position yourself, and place your weight while transitioning through it will probably be helpful since it will build up muscle memory.
Thank you very much for your answer
Yes I understand your point. My main concern was about the size, that I found really unrealistic and I wanted to know if I was the only one with that feedback on that model.
But I will try to follow your advice and use it other ways that don't need to lift it
Thanks !
I have owned this exact model since it was first released, and it has been incredibly beneficial to my home training. It will soften over time, so I wouldn't worry about its stiffness. In fact, later on you'll wish that its hips, and knees retained some of their original stiffness. The size, and weight end up being positive features too. I'd recommend purchasing a large gi for it to wear.
There are certainly some techniques it is less suited to, such as open guards against a standing opponent. However, you can purchase a harness, and hang it. I have personally found that to be a less than ideal solution, but it is at least something.
The GD2 does the foundational positions very well, and surprisingly, many advanced positions too. You just have to be a little creative. For example, as a beginner, you may feel that it offers very little when it comes to passing the closed guard, and half guard. Well, you can loop a resistance band around its crossed ankles to drill your closed guard breaks, and half guard passing sequences. That will give you some resistance to work against.
It's important to remember that it is a tool for drilling. You said you've tried a few exercises with it. That doesn't sound like you really gave yourself the chance to get the most out of it. Did you set a timer, and do 100 bullfighter passes to knee-on-belly? Did you do 100 S-mount arm bars? Did you squeeze a rear naked choke, D'Arce, anaconda, or guillotine with maximal effort, and see how long you could hold it before you fatigued? Did you switch from side to side in spider guard, and shoot triangles, and omoplatas? Did you put a resistance band around its neck, anchor it to a door, and work on the strength of your closed guard posture breaks? It really is quite a versatile tool.
As you learn more, it becomes more useful.
I don't think switching dummies is the answer. Having said that, I do really like the look of the Smarty dummies, and would be curious to hear your feedback if you do make the switch.
All the best.
First off, thank you very much for your answer.
My main concern was about the size and weight more than the stiffness (I bought it second hand from a guy that used it quite often). Like I said It can be frustrating when the torso or the neck is so thick that I can't lock my body triangle or choke, considering I can do it on a real body. May I ask how tall you are ?
For another example : doing an anaconda, I have to force a little bit to reach my bicep and lock the choke, sometime causing a small pain in my shoulder. For some of the exercices that I have tried, it often feels like I am drilling with an unrealistic shaped giant. I know it exists in a smaller size but unfotunately none was available in my area and I couldn't buy it brand new.
BUT I totally agree with you on the point that I didn't try that hard with hundreds of reps on some drills and I absolutely agree that I need to dig to find more exercices to drill and get more into it (I only train nogi). Maybe I'll try to transition to the SMARTY but I dont think I will sell it fast so in the meantime I will keep doing with this one.
If I manage to do so, I will give you my feedback of course :)
Best regards
Hi! Good on you for being willing to train at home. With the covid lockdown, I bought a grappling dummy. I did a TON of onl ine research, and for a week, had a Fairtex dummy, which I thought was just ok. I bought a grapplingsmarty dummy and think it's the best on the market. I do NOT own shares of the company. See my review on line. www.grapplingsmarty.com
Also, don't let anyone talk you out of getting a dummy just because it doesn't "fight back".....after all, punching bags don't hit back, but we don't discourage boxers from using heavy bags.
I’ve got a Fairtex Maddox 2 and I absolutely love it. Size feels just right for me, though no doubt some moves feel awkward. Some great advice from the guys above so I won’t add to that; however I did start a Grappling Dummy Facebook group a while back. Been a bit quiet on there lately but you’re more than welcome to come along and contribute
Hi guys, thank you very much for your insight
Gafaicheng, yes you are definitely right for the comparison with the punching bag. I mean grappling/LL/JJB is a long journey so I don't care if I spend a couple years on a dummy before finding a decent club. I have space in my training "room". If I had a bit more money I could buy the unfilled version of the smarty and compare them myself. Maybe in the future !
Badgerbob, very cool of you for sharing the group, I will apply to join as soon as possible ! I'm glad the Fairtex Maddox suits you :)