Getting in shape for the bow

[jw0312]

Alright, so I'm new to archery. Picked my bow up today finally and got some help getting it sighted, as well as some instruction on what I'm doing. I quickly learned that the muscles I use to draw a bow are muscles that I seldom use. I know that shooting the bow more will help me get those muscles in shape, but does anyone have any kind of exercises I can do on those days I can't shoot?

Thanks all.

 

[jw0312]

I could probably do 50 to 75 pushups in 50 to 75 days.

I'm not in the best shape in the world, but I'm not in the worst either. Anything besides push ups? I despise push ups, pulls ups, and running. Guess that goes back to my academy days. Hate to relive it.

 

[ShaneHallum]

Get you a stretch band for physical therapy. Do row type exercises.

You may have to lower your draw weight to get used to shooting. After about a week of shooting everyday you will be able to pull alot more weight back on the bow.

 

[eddie c]

back when I sold bows, I told many folks when they watch TV, evry time a commerical came on to pick up the bow, draw and aim at the TV WITHOUT AN ARROW AND DONT DRY FIRE! :0 do it several times during each commerical break and every commerical break. make sure to anchor and aim every time to keep the shooting form corrrect.

as far as I know, none have dry fired or shot the TV.

 

[bobthebowhunter]

back when I sold bows, I told many folks when they watch TV, evry time a commerical came on to pick up the bow, draw and aim at the TV WITHOUT AN ARROW AND DONT DRY FIRE! :0 do it several times during each commerical break and every commerical break. make sure to anchor and aim every time to keep the shooting form corrrect.

as far as I know, none have dry fired or shot the TV.

Never draw a bow without an arrow someday you'll wish you hadn't

Shooting is the best exercise. If you can't shoot, grab a milk/water jug fill it up 1/4 of the way, hold in your bow hand at your side, lift straight out and up as if you were raising your bow up and hold. Increase weight. This doesn't help you with your "drawing back muscles", but it helps with your "holding muscles"

 

[TNDeerGuy]

http://www.hoyt.com/community/fitness_d ... hp?id=27#0

 

[eddie c]

back when I sold bows, I told many folks when they watch TV, evry time a commerical came on to pick up the bow, draw and aim at the TV WITHOUT AN ARROW AND DONT DRY FIRE! :0 do it several times during each commerical break and every commerical break. make sure to anchor and aim every time to keep the shooting form corrrect.

as far as I know, none have dry fired or shot the TV.

Never draw a bow without an arrow someday you'll wish you hadn't

unless you dry fire, it doesnt hurt to draw a bow without an arrow. done all the time in proshops when people check them out. easing a bow out of draw without an arrow is no different than with an arrow.

 

[UTGrad]

If you can, never draw your bow without an arrow. I never draw my bow without an arrow even though I'm 100% comfortable with the draw weight.

Start out at a comfortable weight and shoot as much as possible. When that weight gets comfortable, bump it up 2 lbs. Repeat.

 

[Bowdacious]

back when I sold bows, I told many folks when they watch TV, evry time a commerical came on to pick up the bow, draw and aim at the TV WITHOUT AN ARROW AND DONT DRY FIRE! :0 do it several times during each commerical break and every commerical break. make sure to anchor and aim every time to keep the shooting form corrrect.

as far as I know, none have dry fired or shot the TV.

Never draw a bow without an arrow someday you'll wish you hadn't

unless you dry fire, it doesnt hurt to draw a bow without an arrow. done all the time in proshops when people check them out. easing a bow out of draw without an arrow is no different than with an arrow.

Not in any shops I have been to. It is too easy to let go accidentally. Not worth the risk.

 

[jw0312]

Thanks for the input guys. I think the wife has some stretch bands. Might have to try them out in addition to water jugs.

 

[eddie c]

back when I sold bows, I told many folks when they watch TV, evry time a commerical came on to pick up the bow, draw and aim at the TV WITHOUT AN ARROW AND DONT DRY FIRE! :0 do it several times during each commerical break and every commerical break. make sure to anchor and aim every time to keep the shooting form corrrect.

as far as I know, none have dry fired or shot the TV.

Never draw a bow without an arrow someday you'll wish you hadn't

unless you dry fire, it doesnt hurt to draw a bow without an arrow. done all the time in proshops when people check them out. easing a bow out of draw without an arrow is no different than with an arrow.

Not in any shops I have been to. It is too easy to let go accidentally. Not worth the risk.

I must be old school then. the shop I worked for it was common practice (which was from 1988 til 97). and I still see it done on occasion.

 

[Bowdacious]

The stretch bands do work great.

 

[Radar]

Pull ups work the Lat (back) muscles . Shoulder presses and lateral side raises with dumbells for your shoulders , and triceps push downs , Triceps extensions . These are the muscles used for drawing and holding a bow . Push ups will work your chest .
I have been working out for 31 years now and it has really helped me keep up my strength for shooting . I tend to focus a little more on cardio now to keep in shape for long hauls up steep terrain .

 

[huntress1082]

My husband let me use his old bow that he didn't care about to star back at the lowest pound pull possible. I started out at 25 lbs at 5 reps a day and got to my now permanent draw weight of 63 lbs in about 2-3 months. It's amazing how fast the muscles get used to it. I left the weight low for more reps instead of moving up weight quickly. I would start like I said at 25 lbs draw weight. Pull it and hold it 5 seconds while slowly letting it out. Get to where u can pull25 times in a row correctly before upping your weight.

 

[bobthebowhunter]

back when I sold bows, I told many folks when they watch TV, evry time a commerical came on to pick up the bow, draw and aim at the TV WITHOUT AN ARROW AND DONT DRY FIRE! :0 do it several times during each commerical break and every commerical break. make sure to anchor and aim every time to keep the shooting form corrrect.

as far as I know, none have dry fired or shot the TV.

Never draw a bow without an arrow someday you'll wish you hadn't

unless you dry fire, it doesnt hurt to draw a bow without an arrow. done all the time in proshops when people check them out. easing a bow out of draw without an arrow is no different than with an arrow.

I've been doing this long enough to know it doesn't hurt the bow. But accidents do happen. Treat all guns like they are loaded and never draw a bow with out an arrow. It just not good advice to advocate drawing bows with no arrows. I sure wouldn't if I owend a shop. I mean no disrespect.