Arm/Shoulder Conditioning

[short_start]

Haven't done any archery in some time, but have retained a 65# recurve and a 50# longbow from my youth so I could get back into it on retirement. Well I'm retired and spend most of my time taking care of my 90yr. old 185# Dad; helping him up and down and picking him up when he falls. He's heavier than I am.

Noticed the arms and shoulders starting to bother, particularly the right side. This weekend the neighbor dropped by with a new compound (65# drop off to 40# I think) and I couldn't draw it back more than about 8" with the right arm. It really hurt. Could pull it to full draw lefty, but I don't shoot that way.

Cananyone recommend some conditioning exercises with weights that I might try? Or would pulling a 35#bow repeatedly (if I can do it)be the bestexercise? Has anyone run into this before?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
Bob

[gibblet]

bob, i always loosen up my shoulders first. they seem to hold up better when i do circles with my arms for a while before shooting. as far as shoulder exercises, i'm not sure, but if the bow is at 65# then you should be able to turn it down to 60#, or have a shop do it. starting with a 35# bow would and moving up slowly would work.

[Sniper151]

Latte pull downs and bent over rowing. Builds the primary muscles in the shoulders, latts, triceps and pecks.

[CLOUD 9, MN]

Bowfish all summer......it really keeps/gets your arm in shape for fall bowhunting!

Good Luck!