wanna draw 50# like it is 30#???

[mjdglobal]

do lots of rows. a couple of other people mentioned this.  do seated cable rows, dumbbell rows and standing barbell rows.  Reverse flyes or reverse pec deck flyes are more for shoulder than back but these would also help.

[brumski]

ok,gonna take bits and pieces from everyone!! after two years gonna, sell my bow on ****!!and enter the MR ENGLAND,bodybuilding comp!!!!lol.

thanks fella's (only a bit of fun), you've been a big help.

brumski

[Tsalagi]

Well, when I started in tradarchery, I jumped in with both feet. I walked in and bought a Martin Hunter in 50#. That's what I started with. It was never an issue drawing the bow because I worked in repair and used my hands always.

I found that some of the machines at the local gym can be adapted to exercise your "bow muscles". Basically, just make a mental note of the muscles that feel weak when pulling that 50#er. When you go to the gym, use the machines you feel cause that same sensation. Stick with those machines. Don't neglect the others, though, because you need a full-body exercise. Diet plays a big role here, too. If you're not feeding your body quality fuel while you're trying to build muscles, it just won't happen. Kick the "junk food" habit and eat real food. In other words, if your great-grandparents wouldn't recognize it as food, don't eat it. Plenty of protein (fish or meat), milk, and lots of fresh or frozen vegetables. No crap. No sodas. It's a committment. Believe me, diet is a big part of building those muscles. You don't need to look like a body builder because it isn't necessary. But you do need to build your muscles.

I'm barely 5'7" and weighed about 120lbs when I started in tradarchery. It isn't size as much as it is how often you're using those muscles and how well you're taking care of the overall body itself.

Well, pushups will not make your bow pulling muscles stronger they do a very important job of keeping your shoulder joint from jamming back by balancing the shoulder muscles and strenthening part of the stability muscles in your bow arm.  I was advised to do butterflies with moderate dumb bells for my shoulders, it worked wonders for my shoulder problem I had at the time.  Bow pulling gizmos can be made with bungee chords and wood dowels or anything else that you can get two of them safely tied to.  Remember to do the left and right to keep your C7 andT1 joint at the base of your neck from pulling sideways.

[preflex]

push ups, hammer curls, seated rows, id guess that any upper body work out would help and just keep shooting the bow and dont shoot lower poundages i bought a 40# just for shooting and it has made it harder for me to shoot my 60# bow cause i got used to the lighter weight and where it shoots

[TheFatboy]

Preflex,

Hammer curls are a great biceps and forearm-builder that I also use myself, but should definetely not be prioritized over any pulling exercise, unless topicstarter wants to pull more with his arms. Not saying he should focus solely on rows, but hammer curls should only be used as a secondary exercise.

I also disagree with you on not shooting lower poundage bows. I warm up shooting a lower poundage, and I warm down shooting a lower poundage. So it should most definetely not be neglected.

[mczilla]

Don't know your personal history, but if you're down that low and still having difficulty I have to assume you never had much opportunity to use & develop your muscles. Six months isn't a long time if you're older and starting from scratch - a good, consistent exercise program ought to move you ahead, assuming there is no disability to overcome. Meanwhile, enjoy what you can handle. Perseverance furthers!

[Hud]

Here is an exercise with the 30#, then next week with the 40# then a few weeks later the 50#. If your right-handed, pull the bow back 12", pause then pull to 24" pause and then pull to anchor, without letting down. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Switch to the off hand and do the same thing. You will notice it is easier to pull with the right hand than the left, unless you are left-handed. Repeat this exercise daily, but not to the point of straining. With time, you will gradually increase the amount of weight you can handle from both sides. You can gradually increase the number of reps from 3, to 5, 7, 9 etc. Good luck.

[Hud]

Once you are comfortable with the above exercise, then continue by repeating the pause from full draw to back to 24" pause, then 12" pause and down. Repeat 3-5 times each side.

[LongStick64]

Don't forget to use a bow that works for you. A bow that is stacking after your intended anchor should feel relatively smooth, making it easier to "handle" the weight.

Also learn how to draw the bow without initial tension at the shoulders and arms. I've seen way too many guys tense up at the pre draw when they are shooting heavier bows. They are trying to compensate for the weight. In my opinion if you can isolate the pre draw tension to your mid back, away from your shoulders, you will feel stronger on the draw.