Grappling Dummy FULL Review: The Smarty - Is It Worth It?!

[@EffectiveMartialArts]

Thanks for the honest review, Aaron! Happy to bring value to your training! - Patrick

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

Thank you! It’s awesome!

[@Aceinthehole1179]

Mine is on the way! Patrick the owner/Creator is amazing guys!

[@danvillan]

I bought one of these dummies a few weeks back because I'm in lockdown in Australia. It is very impressive what you can do with it.

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

It really is. I’m a big fan. Great product.

[@wildchilde69]

Hey mate, looking to order one and I'm from Oz as well. How did you find the filling process? Also have you found this dummy useful for closed guard/half guard techniques? I haven't seen much in the demo reel in terms of working from your back. Cheers!

[@ryanwoodward1921]

have you tried the submission master or proboxing model grappling dummies? I’m leaning towards this smarty one but before I make the investment I wanted to ask someone like you that has more experience with these. Thanks so much.

[@patrickclery4487]

I have it. It's good for some passing drills: knee slice, x pass, etc. But there are some major drawbacks. 1. SHOULDER. This is the biggest issue. Think of how an arm triangle works: the shoulder has to mold to the ear/neck. Because there is no mobility at all of the shoulder (can't rotate or mold to the head) it has become an issue on almost everything I try. Shoulder locks (omoplata, kimura) can't work at all because the shoulder doesn't rotate. Guilotine, RAT, gators, etc. also can't work because you can't mold. But it's also a huge issue when you're doing anything that involves underhooks (like when you're doing a knee-cut pass) because the arm stays static facing you. 2. LEGS. If you want to practice leg/foot/heel stuff - forget it. The legs are so short that you can't, for instance, even get into a 50/50 or 70/30. The design of the foot is fine for this. Trying to do anything like a crab ride or berimbolo involves skipping many steps because you have to let go of the legs to adjust. At first I thought this dummy would be perfect (I also had the Bubba grappling dummy), but I can see that it's really designed for one thing: passing. You can do a couple things with back takes, but if you are practicing gi make sure you have an A5 gi because you will have no slack (I have an A3X gi on it from Fushida and the lapels can't even close, so doing a bow & arrow choke is not really possible at all because there's no slack.

[@bensouthwest]

I completely agree - the arm/system doesn’t have sufficient ‘give’ / flexibility to allow realistic drilling of mount based arm attacks (think arm triangle etc). For reference I also have the Fairtex Maddox 2 which is a better system as the arm and shoulder are actually separate limbs that are joined together with a hinge, but arguable less strong for that reason, although I’ve never had any issue with the Maddox 1 or 2 in this regards. The legs are also way too short to allow decent leg locks. Hopefully for ‘version 2’ - if they ever make it - corrects this issue although not sure if this might compromise the structure…? For passing guard however, this dummy is excellent and I do think the design was perhaps bias towards this. The construction and materials seem really solid and robust but it definitely has a ‘home-made’ feel to it vs the Fairtex although the latter has been around much longer, has had more time to evolve not to mention, much more money put behind it from an established leader. I wanted this dummy to be the perfect dummy and I think it is nearly there subject to a few tweaks. I will be keeping both - the Smarty for guard passing and the Fairtex for everything else.

[@lude3645]

Are you guys using the XL version?

[@MichaelSmith-vq8fi]

I’ve subscribed to your channel, which I don’t usually do, but I consider you an excellent instructor. Oss. I plan on getting one of these dummies and putting a gi on it, as my professor just recently suggested I need to drill more and this would be a perfect way of doing that.

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

I really appreciate that, it goes a long way, you are helping me spread more content. These dummies are awesome, you’ll love it

[@antonpersssoen]

Just ordered one of these after looking at this review. Would love to get some more tips when it comes to drilling on a dummy, how to be more deliberate with your practice and so forth. You got yourself a new subscriber :) Love from Sweden!

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

That’s awesome! These dummies are AMAZING. I use mine daily. I’ll be making more content on the subject for sure!

[@phoenixamaranth]

I assume it wouldn't be too difficult to get a gi on it, right? Overall, it looks like one of the best I've seen. Thanks for the review, I'm seriously considering picking one up.

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

I think it will be easy, I’m actually going to do that soon.

[@kipallen4191]

Aaron ask your supplier to make a smarty for collar-sleeve, DLR, RDR, Butterfly guard , Knee shield, and open guard

[@ChristKrew-Rev1.8]

What did you fill it with and what was the weight? Thanks for this awesome review professor.

[@youngeffi9759]

My Dummy is on his way, time to Step my game up as a fresh Blue Belt

[@bensouthwest]

I’ve got the Fairtex Maddox - have you used this and if so, how does it compare to the Smarty?

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

I’ve never used that one so can’t compare

[@AlbanianRS]

Have you tried both a year later? Which do you prefer

[@carpejkdiem]

Looks good for (Id love MMA G & P review ● Hip pressure smesh pass Khabib style hip dominant material -● Over butterfly hip pinch pressure, chest up & down punch (Militech style) push knees pop over into mount ● Inside Guard hip in head up drop strike posture up again ● Hip in head up/stiff arm head over head throat grab & hit & posture up old school around leg shin pass undertook his leg transition hammer fist to reverse knee on & strike to reg knee on & strike sequence (Eric Paulson style) - same only he turtles as you pass ● Pat Militech/Jeremy Horn /Mario Sperry/Paulson - knee on strike & transition var - Throat grab stiff arm var step around head to opp side - Shoulders pin & circle - knee Switch over belly ● 1/2 Guard near leg hip pin far leg post up hip control near collor tie & elbow (Shoulin style) ● 1/2 Guard leg Pin & strike(Randy Cotoure series) ● 1/2 Guard Z gaurd counters & pass & Neil Melanson cradle series ● Turtle breakdowns (Basics - Ryan Hall/Danaher/Khab/Paulson sub wrestling var.) ● Turtle g & p (variations) - GSP side knee - Pride Mark Coleman front headlock & knee - Victor Belfort collar tie to keep head down & hook punch - Jon Jones front headlock & hop over to back hip pinch & strike or hooks in from there - Crucifix & strike /roll Gary Goodrich big elbow back on mat variation Ect.. so many off the top On his back standing in guard shoot box team Pride material/Sakuraba - Jump over face stomp - Split straight face kick through guard ● Foot lands near side his head to hammer fist ● Foot lands other side spin pulling leg out avoid leg attack then stomp face again ● Strike as he's turning away for GROUND & POUND during transitioning flow drill I can see it all I'd love to see these to see if some don't work. This shape has advantages over my other dummies AWESOME!! Each has their strengths but I'm missing this exact shape. I know I could come up with many great drills. Even if all ive mentioned don't work. Heck just flowing with it moving it (I had my lady get in that position haha I moved her around and was excited haha) will be great!

[@TradesReady]

Thanks for the review.. quick question, are you able to drill berimbolos on this?

[@DrMathOfficial]

What's that?

[@russjan2678]

I think yess

[@jg1000c]

How long are the legs from heal to hip? Legs look difficult to practice leg attacks or berimbolos.

[@tylergates4075]

My issue with it ao far is they very small. From guard position kind of awkward to get my feet on its hips

[@wildchilde69]

Hey mate, appreciate the thorough review :) Keen on this, however just wondering how you found it for working off your back? I didn't see much in the demo reel in terms of guard work etc. I know you mentioned in your review that you found that position a bit more of a challenge, do you mind expanding on that? Thanks.

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

I ordered mine pre filled and I’ve recently been working a lot of half butterfly and full guard on the dummy off of my back. Works EXCELLENT. I will make some videos about that in the future.

[@wildchilde69]

@@aaronbenzrihembjj6014 Awesome, can't wait to see those vids. Thanks again, subscribed!

[@alcottdevalte7440]

I live on the 3rd floor, laminate flooring. Will it make a lot of noise and do you need mats for a 125 pound dummy?

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

It shouldn’t be to loud assuming you’re doing passing or guard work

[@justinsandall3942]

Aaron, I'm working a lot of collar sleeve specifiically, both standing and kneeling opponents. Is this going to be adequate to practice those sweeps, submissions (triangle, omoplata etc), transitions (DLR, X etc) or will it be difficult? Thanks!

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

Great position to work from. Collar sleeve is like the foundation of open guard

[@huskylord123]

If I'm 6ft 4, would this dummy still work for me?

[@timoshi2k]

They have a smarty XL now. It's 6'2" tall. I just ordered mine. I'm 6'1" 240lbs. I was hesitant to order the smaller one, but looking forward to the larger version.

[@John-tu6gd]

@@timoshi2k Did the smarty xl work out as well as you had hoped? Was it worth it/still use it?

[@chrisrock6509]

What is it stuff with?

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

That’s a great question, I ordered mine pre filled so no clue.

[@gustavomotta2936]

There’s a video showing how you can fill it up. It’s basic bunch of old clothes and some other fabric for hands and feet. You probably can find this video in the product page

[@manly-mandesigns2581]

Is the pre-filled 50lbs dummy heavy enough though? I’m seeing mixed reviews regarding adding sand but how else to increase weight?

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

Not sure how to increase the weight but I know that for my purposes it’s been amazing.

[@manly-mandesigns2581]

@@aaronbenzrihembjj6014 Cool. Much appreciated, Mike.

[@erice7192]

I had a 70 lb dummy once which I thought it'd be fine, since I compared it to a dumbbell in my head. Something about large dead weight that makes it more difficult than you'd think to handle. After that experience, 50 sounds good

[@TasosZagos]

Has anyone filled it with sand?

[@GrapplingwithInsanity]

I have…bad idea. I haven’t filled this dummy, but I have tried others. Too messy, too heavy-dead weight, no form just a big blob. It will be a literal waste of time and money. And, don’t bother with bird seed either…same issues. The best fill is shredded cloth and some (some) poly fill. I used some filling from an old heavy bag, and it took a couple of hours.

[@carpejkdiem]

Code Aaron5?

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

Yep

[@thomaswilliams1129]

a dummy that you can berimbolo on? sign me up ;)

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

So awesome

[@darrenjames876]

I didn’t no grown men play with giant dolls guess u could put a hole in it like some we’re on the rear if u know what I mean 😁

[@momoloum3320]

Are you from Moroccan décent ? Good job