Building up strength
 

What is a good way to "train" when you can't get out and shoot everyday? I have been drawing then slowly letting down my bow pretty much every day. I have been doing 5-draws in 3-sets. I hold draw for 10-15 seconds before letting down. One of my concerns is form - making sure that I am consistant. Right now my LX is set at 63lbs but I want to be able to draw 70 lbs comfortably by this fall.

What do you do to practice and build strength?

RE: Building up strength
 

I lift weights "cause the chicks dig it" with the ability to draw heavy poundage a nice side effect.

However, if that's not your thing, keep doing what you're doing, and when you can do so comfortably (meaning an increase in strength) bump up the poundage and start over, and so forth, and so on...

But just remember, the ability to do so with 70# and properly warmed up is usually negated by adrenaline, sitting for hours without moving in single digit temps and the buck of a lifetime... :)

RE: Building up strength
 

push ups!

RE: Building up strength
 

i lift weights, and shoot shoot shoot as much as i can. usually 30 arrows minimum shot in three shot groups. towards the end when i am getting tired i bear down and try to hold steady for longer periods of time on the target.

RE: Building up strength
 

I do lift weights and workout. Do you do any specific exercises (with weights) specifically for shooting your bow?

RE: Building up strength
 

I actually had to write a paper for gym class once... damn that was like 10+ yrs ago... and I did it on an artical that was in one of the hunting mags.. From what I remember.. you want to do pushups... w/ your hands forming a diamond.. w/ your hands shoulder length apart.. and w/ your hands wider than shoulder length apart.. Also dips... where you put your hands on a chair seat.. legs extended forward (chair behind you).. lower your but to the ground w/o letting and pressure off your arms.. then push back up.. slowly both directions.

This is to build up your back, shoulders, and chest muscles. Might as well throw in some crunch situps while you're at it to help w/ the climbing stand this fall.

RE: Building up strength
 

Come over to my place and install these SOB windows for me:):D

RE: Building up strength
 

I have a piece of thera tubing that I use like I am drawing a bow. I got it at my therapist when doing my therapy from shouder surgery.

RE: Building up strength
 

Ausie_Guy! You crack me up. I draw my bow all season, us old guy's can't get into this work out schedule anymore.

nubo

RE: Building up strength
 

i do alot of rear deltoid exercises and trap and lat exercises these are the musles you should be using to pull back and hold. they are much bigger and more powerful than the muscles in the upper front torso. unless you over train your front torso and then your back torso is much weaker than your front and you actually end up rounding your shoulders forward because your pecs are pulling on your shoulders more than your rear deltoids and other shoulder muscles can hold back. so start light and work your way up. shoulders are the weakest joint in your body so you need to use a little caution with them.

RE: Building up strength
 

pull downs, work your abs alot too with sit-ups, fly's work great its the same motion as pulling your bow just backwards and on your back. Lets see byron ferguson do a shot like that!:) If your strong and have endurance in your shoulders and tri-ceps you'll be good to go. Your tri-ceps when your left arm is extended is where the pressure is when it comes to holding your bow, your shoulder is what is keeping your bow string back, get those two buff and thats all you need with some abs. If you got strong stomach muscels that helps with a climber as well.

RE: Building up strength
 

I train by having a strict workout of doing curls, with as many 12oz bottles as I can, every night after work. ;)

RE: Building up strength
 

Idea for ya, this summer every time you miss the dot on your target drop and do 20 push ups and 20 sit ups. You will either become a good shot or have a chest like Arnold Schwartzanager either way you win.

RE: Building up strength
 

my son just got his first bow this year at first he had truoble holding steady he started pulling it every day and holding at full draw now he can hit his target just fine with a little more practice he should be able to bag his first deer this year he won the 4h rifle compatition last week that boy is a natural at all shooting sports

RE: Building up strength
 

Chase2:
Doing pushups and dips will help to build up your upper body strength, but has little effect on the muscles that actually do the work of pulling your bow back. The muscles involved in pulling your bow back are the rear deltoids, rhomboids, and the latissimus dorsi muscles. To build up the rear delts and rhomboids, one of the best weight-lifting exercises is the one-handed row. This is done utilizing a benchpress bench and a dumbbell. Start off light so that you can perfect your form before adding weight. Standing at the side of the bench with your shoulders perpendicular to the bench, place your left knee and left hand on the bench. This will put your back parallel to the floor. Grab the dumbbell with your right hand and slowly raise it straight up so that your elbow is pointing toward the ceiling. This will put the dumbbell close to your side when you have reached the top of the exercise. Then, slowly lower the weight until your arm is fully extended. Do this for 10-12 repetitions and no more that 3 sets to begin with, making sure to keep the weight light until you've got the form down. Keep your back straight and level with the floor during this exercise. Repeat the exercise utilizing the left arm to lift the weight. To build up the latissimus dorsi muscles, it's hard to beat seated rows. This needs to be done on a cable machine at the gym, so you could probably ask one of the employees or other weight lifters to help you with this one. Just remember, you pull the bow back with your back muscles, not your chest or arms, to any large degree. Hope this helps.

RE: Building up strength
 

Dips, Dips, Dips, and if you have some iron, curls help. Remember heavier weight with less reps, will give you greater strength and less bulk. I do however have to agree with Lefty, a couple of sets of 12 oz. curls never seems to hurt.