I went to the gym and used a pulley set at draw height and pulled a MUCH higher weight than my bow. The bow feels like a feather after. Eg. My bow is 45lbs and I pulled 120lbs at the gym. Really gets you feeling the back engagement as you're pulling a weight that you will not be able to curl. PS I am NOT an archery expert!
I coach my students to hold at full draw for 7 seconds, and down for 2 seconds. Repeat 7 times as a gauge of bow fitness... for strengthening, use a formaster. Start off with reversals (holding for 30 seconds, relax for 30 seconds), 10 reps. To increase strength further, you can do this with clinibands/therabands attached between your riser and string.
Hi, So one thing I got taught recently was to do two things. One was bow training with a form master doing interval training so increasing hold times or number of repetitions and decreasing rest period that has worked well. The other was after this I was poundage tested so I had shoot a few arrows to warm up and then the initial poundage was check and then I was given 3 lives to shoot the bow with increasing strength of fitness bands added below the grip until I failed to shoot 6 arrows well. Loss of form -1 life, shaking -1 life and coming down -1 life until you have zero lives and the poundage was remeasured and then once a week I shoot about 40-60 arrows at 80% maximum to build the strength. It also a good way to see what breaks first in your technique
You know Its time to up your weight when: 1. You can make it through an entire practice session (which should be more arrows than shot during a match), with nothing more than normal fatigue. 2. You've addressed your form errors. 3. When 1 and 2 are completed and you NEED to increase your draw weight. If the weight you are drawing now gives you the range, accuracy and sustainability you need there is no reason (other than masochism/machismo) to increased your draw weight. I'd never increase my draw weight by more than 10% at a go. More than that, you are going to get form errors and you may even get injured.
increasing draw weight may not be a necessity, but if you are able to shoot a higher poundage it is preferable especially due to the much cleaner release it gives
as a personal trainer and beginner at archery to improve on strength the Rows and Pullups are much better for the sport , u use the same muscles and mimic the movement
Started with a 45 pound bow, A recurve. Only trouble I have is when I overdraw it I tend to shoot high going to 30 arrows is not a problem for anything except my drawing hand. My fingers just haven’t gotten used to it yet. I come to archery via firearms and I looked at firearms as how much energy is actually going into the target the difference of energy on target from a 45 pound draw to a 60 pound draw with a bow is virtually nil so what exactly is the point in going to a significantly higher poundage at all? it is the head of the arrow that’s going to be doing the damage not just the energy of the bow. Making a 500 grain arrow go 30 ft./s faster is not going to yield that much more of an impressive result
This is what I'd suggest; you know Its time to up your weight when: 1. You can make it through an entire practice session (which should be more arrows than shot during a match), with nothing more than normal fatigue. 2. You've addressed your form errors. 3. When 1 and 2 are completed and you NEED to increase your draw weight. If the weight you are drawing now gives you the range, accuracy and sustainability you need there is no reason (other than masochism) to increased your draw weight. I'd never increase my draw weight by more than 10% at a go. More than that, you are going to get form errors and you may even get injured.
A couple of comments: one you rushed Coach Kim's test a bit, the idea is to hold for three seconds which you did for the first rep but ... The rule of thumb for reducing draw weight is you can take off about 10% of limb max, so those 46# limbs could be backed down to 42# to make a 2# increase from 40# (presumably bottomed out). And, if the bow literature does not tell you how many turns you can take off you can use a machinist's rule of thumb in the a bolt should, for safety be screwed in at least the diameter of the bolt distance. So, you take out one of the limb bolts and measure its diameter. make a sharper mark that far up on the threads and then screw it back in, counting the number of turns it takes to get to the mark and then how many turns until the bolt bottoms out. The second number is the maximum number of turns the limb bolts can be backed out to make draw weight changes. Do not assume the limbs will fit into the limb pockets in all of these configurations, some of the adjustments are limited to limb fit, based upon manufacturing tolerances when the bow was made.
Bolts all vary as do thread pitches etc... I would never advise such an approach that leaves zero margin for error or backing out. If they don't address it, ask them, don't take the advice from random guy on internet...
It has been said: I rather have a 10 point hit from a 28lb draw bow than a 2 point hit on a 50lb bow. I bought several set of (USED) training limbs: 18lb, 28lb, 32lb, 38lb, 42lb
I shoot compound and feel comfortable at 70ib all day long. I'm buying my first flatbow and can't decide between 35ib or going straight to 50 option. I shoot on a 3d target range and the targets go out up to 100 yards and worried 35 won't cut it.
Would you still recommend find a decent draw weight? I was going to start with 65#, but I figured that would take a while to get used to, so I went with 50#
Interesting that you recommend pushups as the only non-bow exercise, since it's really only your bow-hand pectorals and deltoids being engaged. I would have expected some back and shoulder exercises to be recommended as well. How would you gauge accuracy with the bow when determining your current draw weight? I'm able to shoot a 45# recurve for 2+ hours just fine physically, but I can't hit the target for shit lol
what if you're 6'0, 180lbs and pretty fit, but find 45# (64" bow and I draw @30") a bit hard... can you simply work up your strength and practice to build the ability? Does't seem like something you can't get better with practice... ?
Yes you just have to practice to build up the strength to pull 45# it is completely possible. You may want to start with drawling the bow back without an arrow first until you are strong enough.
I would check that your bow is 'ok' to draw such an arrow length..as some shorter bows are suited to 28" draw and no more..(?)..however,if it is ok..(check bow details..)..it may just be 'stacking' at the back end (last 2" of draw).Some bows are inclined to..But good quality limbs are a smooth draw all the way..Also,I hit the gym regularly (190lbs and 5'8"..)..bench press,and front deltoids workout is good..also back...and core strength..It definatley helps..Good luck..ps.We can't rush archery..it's slow but progressive sport..Regards
For my training, I hold a full draw for 35 seconds for 10 times. Usually the last two or one rep is really shaky but it improves my strength a lot. People at my club said i stand like a statue.
I have a question. Isn't doing push ups kind of the opposite movement of what you need? Why not do any form of rows (Inverted rows, upright rows, dumbbell rows, etc.) and increase repetitions with that exercise?
+Miggy Cruz The workouts you listed are great. Push-ups are just a example of a workout you can do to get stronger. Some people go up in draw weight and struggle the whole time because they do not think about doing extra exercises.
I do realize though that push ups can help with the stabilization of the bow arm :) So I guess if you really want to improve, you have do them both hehe
I shoot a recurve bow and workout at the same time..i find that bench presses, rear deltoid lateral raises, all back workouts, shrugs, and core stabilizing exercises are helpful...
I can see how all these benefit archery :) I'm actually a sports science major but a novice in archery. I've only been really starting to shoot the past month and I realize how much all these muscle groups need to be in balance in order to be a better archer
Hi i'm traditional archer but i have question i'm advanced, i'm pulling my bow without big difficulty i can hold him quite long but my left arm is shaking this don't disturb but this is weird
- - it may be that the stress of pulling the bow back in the right arm is distributing unsteadiness and shaking in your left arm. Also depends what poundage of bow your maximum is and what type and style your bow is, some bows bend in the handles and creates the same problem you have my dude.
If your bow arm is shaking your need to strengthen all the muscle groups that stabilize the shoulder. This would be your front, side and rear deltoids and your lats. Secondarily would be your pecs.
This is a good video. It would be helpful if you make a video like for standard LBS which stablizer will give best results and on what base we should choose a particular stablizer because a person cannot buy all stablizer so, basically what should be the selection criteria. I shoot at 46.5lbs at 29" inch drawlength. Happy shooting, Greetings from India
I went to the gym and used a pulley set at draw height and pulled a MUCH higher weight than my bow. The bow feels like a feather after. Eg. My bow is 45lbs and I pulled 120lbs at the gym. Really gets you feeling the back engagement as you're pulling a weight that you will not be able to curl. PS I am NOT an archery expert!
I coach my students to hold at full draw for 7 seconds, and down for 2 seconds. Repeat 7 times as a gauge of bow fitness... for strengthening, use a formaster. Start off with reversals (holding for 30 seconds, relax for 30 seconds), 10 reps. To increase strength further, you can do this with clinibands/therabands attached between your riser and string.
+murrayelliot awesome thanks for sharing 😀
Hi,
So one thing I got taught recently was to do two things.
One was bow training with a form master doing interval training so increasing hold times or number of repetitions and decreasing rest period that has worked well.
The other was after this I was poundage tested so I had shoot a few arrows to warm up and then the initial poundage was check and then I was given 3 lives to shoot the bow with increasing strength of fitness bands added below the grip until I failed to shoot 6 arrows well. Loss of form -1 life, shaking -1 life and coming down -1 life until you have zero lives and the poundage was remeasured and then once a week I shoot about 40-60 arrows at 80% maximum to build the strength. It also a good way to see what breaks first in your technique
You know Its time to up your weight when:
1. You can make it through an entire practice session (which should be more arrows than shot during a match), with nothing more than normal fatigue.
2. You've addressed your form errors.
3. When 1 and 2 are completed and you NEED to increase your draw weight. If the weight you are drawing now gives you the range, accuracy and sustainability you need there is no reason (other than masochism/machismo) to increased your draw weight.
I'd never increase my draw weight by more than 10% at a go. More than that, you are going to get form errors and you may even get injured.
increasing draw weight may not be a necessity, but if you are able to shoot a higher poundage it is preferable especially due to the much cleaner release it gives
Your arms and body looks super cool and you have serieus power in your hole body...!!!
All the blessings my friend...
as a personal trainer and beginner at archery to improve on strength the Rows and Pullups are much better for the sport , u use the same muscles and mimic the movement
Really great advice, also it is a wonderful form of exercise for your upper body!!!!!!!
you culd also unwind the bowstring to make it lttlebit longer (max 1 inch is recomended i heard)
Started with a 45 pound bow, A recurve. Only trouble I have is when I overdraw it I tend to shoot high going to 30 arrows is not a problem for anything except my drawing hand. My fingers just haven’t gotten used to it yet. I come to archery via firearms and I looked at firearms as how much energy is actually going into the target the difference of energy on target from a 45 pound draw to a 60 pound draw with a bow is virtually nil so what exactly is the point in going to a significantly higher poundage at all? it is the head of the arrow that’s going to be doing the damage not just the energy of the bow. Making a 500 grain arrow go 30 ft./s faster is not going to yield that much more of an impressive result
Great job
thanks. bought a 50 pound re curve need some exercise to make full draw.
It was a bad idea, in archery bigger draw weight not means better 😉
Good luck, dude
How I have to know it's a right time to rising my bow poundages and how much I have to add on it?
This is what I'd suggest; you know Its time to up your weight when:
1. You can make it through an entire practice session (which should be more arrows than shot during a match), with nothing more than normal fatigue.
2. You've addressed your form errors.
3. When 1 and 2 are completed and you NEED to increase your draw weight. If the weight you are drawing now gives you the range, accuracy and sustainability you need there is no reason (other than masochism) to increased your draw weight.
I'd never increase my draw weight by more than 10% at a go. More than that, you are going to get form errors and you may even get injured.
Thanks for sharing the exercise!
I shoot an old suspension bridge and my arrows are telephone poles.
But, you've got to work up to that.
A couple of comments: one you rushed Coach Kim's test a bit, the idea is to hold for three seconds which you did for the first rep but ... The rule of thumb for reducing draw weight is you can take off about 10% of limb max, so those 46# limbs could be backed down to 42# to make a 2# increase from 40# (presumably bottomed out). And, if the bow literature does not tell you how many turns you can take off you can use a machinist's rule of thumb in the a bolt should, for safety be screwed in at least the diameter of the bolt distance. So, you take out one of the limb bolts and measure its diameter. make a sharper mark that far up on the threads and then screw it back in, counting the number of turns it takes to get to the mark and then how many turns until the bolt bottoms out. The second number is the maximum number of turns the limb bolts can be backed out to make draw weight changes. Do not assume the limbs will fit into the limb pockets in all of these configurations, some of the adjustments are limited to limb fit, based upon manufacturing tolerances when the bow was made.
Steve Ruis wow
I think he sped up that part of the video up for obvious reasons
You fool!
Bolts all vary as do thread pitches etc... I would never advise such an approach that leaves zero margin for error or backing out. If they don't address it, ask them, don't take the advice from random guy on internet...
It has been said: I rather have a 10 point hit from a 28lb draw bow than a 2 point hit on a 50lb bow. I bought several set of (USED) training limbs: 18lb, 28lb, 32lb, 38lb, 42lb
I shoot compound and feel comfortable at 70ib all day long. I'm buying my first flatbow and can't decide between 35ib or going straight to 50 option. I shoot on a 3d target range and the targets go out up to 100 yards and worried 35 won't cut it.
Would you still recommend find a decent draw weight? I was going to start with 65#, but I figured that would take a while to get used to, so I went with 50#
50# was probably a better starting weight then 65#
Interesting that you recommend pushups as the only non-bow exercise, since it's really only your bow-hand pectorals and deltoids being engaged. I would have expected some back and shoulder exercises to be recommended as well.
How would you gauge accuracy with the bow when determining your current draw weight? I'm able to shoot a 45# recurve for 2+ hours just fine physically, but I can't hit the target for shit lol
what if you're 6'0, 180lbs and pretty fit, but find 45# (64" bow and I draw @30") a bit hard... can you simply work up your strength and practice to build the ability? Does't seem like something you can't get better with practice... ?
Yes you just have to practice to build up the strength to pull 45# it is completely possible. You may want to start with drawling the bow back without an arrow first until you are strong enough.
I would check that your bow is 'ok' to draw such an arrow length..as some shorter bows are suited to 28" draw and no more..(?)..however,if it is ok..(check bow details..)..it may just be 'stacking' at the back end (last 2" of draw).Some bows are inclined to..But good quality limbs are a smooth draw all the way..Also,I hit the gym regularly (190lbs and 5'8"..)..bench press,and front deltoids workout is good..also back...and core strength..It definatley helps..Good luck..ps.We can't rush archery..it's slow but progressive sport..Regards
Always wanted to know what that shoulder thi ng is for . And why one would use it . I'm new to this .
+RoseAnn Warren do you mean my chest protector? I wear it to keep my shirt flat and away from my string.
Im shooting a longbow that is to havy for me so im going to 25#
For my training, I hold a full draw for 35 seconds for 10 times. Usually the last two or one rep is really shaky but it improves my strength a lot. People at my club said i stand like a statue.
I have a question. Isn't doing push ups kind of the opposite movement of what you need? Why not do any form of rows (Inverted rows, upright rows, dumbbell rows, etc.) and increase repetitions with that exercise?
+Miggy Cruz The workouts you listed are great. Push-ups are just a example of a workout you can do to get stronger. Some people go up in draw weight and struggle the whole time because they do not think about doing extra exercises.
I do realize though that push ups can help with the stabilization of the bow arm :) So I guess if you really want to improve, you have do them both hehe
I shoot a recurve bow and workout at the same time..i find that bench presses, rear deltoid lateral raises, all back workouts, shrugs, and core stabilizing exercises are helpful...
I can see how all these benefit archery :) I'm actually a sports science major but a novice in archery. I've only been really starting to shoot the past month and I realize how much all these muscle groups need to be in balance in order to be a better archer
My bow is a decommissioned arch bridge and my arrows are telephone poles.
To much?
Fine for indoor :P
Thanks, I thought the poles might be under spined.
PHa!..Telegraph poles are my nocks..and Tarzan and Jane are my nocking points on a string that he actually swings on sometimes..
Your bow makes a creeking noise when you draw it.
Hi i'm traditional archer but i have question i'm advanced, i'm pulling my bow without big difficulty i can hold him quite long but my left arm is shaking this don't disturb but this is weird
- - it may be that the stress of pulling the bow back in the right arm is distributing unsteadiness and shaking in your left arm.
Also depends what poundage of bow your maximum is and what type and style your bow is, some bows bend in the handles and creates the same problem you have my dude.
i have 38 punds laminated flatbow, but i thing handle is not bending
If your bow arm is shaking your need to strengthen all the muscle groups that stabilize the shoulder. This would be your front, side and rear deltoids and your lats. Secondarily would be your pecs.
This is a good video. It would be helpful if you make a video like for standard LBS which stablizer will give best results and on what base we should choose a particular stablizer because a person cannot buy all stablizer so, basically what should be the selection criteria. I shoot at 46.5lbs at 29" inch drawlength.
Happy shooting,
Greetings from India
+Shubham Agrawal Thank you I will work on that.😀
Australian push-ups
7 seconds for 7 times!
As you say An, this is my method. Works well. 3 seconds is not enough.