Heavy # effect later in life?

[Curveman]

I do. I'm not going gently into that good night. Why live as though you're an old man until you are?  Why accept mediocrity from or bodies or anything else? Can we at least get in the shape that our forefathers were in?! If you WANT to shoot a light bow -that's fine! If you HAVE to shoot a lightweight bow because you're out of shape and not old or injured then ALL the research indicates you are MORE at risk of damaging tendons and joints, getting osteoporosis etc. I strongly recommend a conditioning program. Then if you want to shoot a lightweight bow after a heavy weightlifting day-you can!   :D  Have a great weekend everybody!  

[dan ferguson]

Mike, when I was 21 I was shooting bows close to what your,e shooting today I,m in the mid fifties and shooting the same weight, during this time I had no injuries, I do now have a bow around sixty that is starting to grow on me. still shoot the heavier one alittle better but the day will come when I will like the sixty better. Just keep shooting until YOUR body tells you different.

[buckeye_hunter]

As an example, overweight people tend to wind up with bad knees and/or hips...to the best of my knowledge that is.

Theoretically, our shoulder joints are made to "withstand" a certain amount of weight as well as our knees and hips. If we exert extra weight  consistent on our elbows/shoulders, then shouldn't they wear out faster too?

That could make a case for a lighter 60# bow ....?  

Just thinking and stirring the pot,    
-Charlie

[Steertalker]

Theoretically, our shoulder joints are made to "withstand" a certain amount of weight as well as our knees and hips. If we exert extra weight consistent on our elbows/shoulders, then shouldn't they wear out faster too?

And just what would that weight be, might I ask????  Honestly, and this is just me speaking, I don't think 70-80 lbs is all that heavy and that it correlates exactly to that analogy.  Now you boys shooting bows over 100 lbs.....hmmmmm....that might be a different story.  But again....what [is] too heavy?

To make blanket generalizations that shooting heavy(?) weight bows is going to cause shoulder problems for everyone down the road is just plain silly and shortsighted.  I'm sure as heck not going to depend on someone else to tell me what I can and cannot do.  Way too many nay sayers in this world!

Again....I think it all has to do with form.  Learn to shoot a bow correctly and you should have no problems, regardless of the weight.....within reason, of course.  

The main thing is that you're having fun.  Some of us just enjoy the feel of heavier weights.  Nothing neanderthal, macho, adolescent or nuckle dragging about it.

Brett

[Curveman]

Originally posted by Steertalker:
[QB]

Theoretically, our shoulder joints are made to "withstand" a certain amount of weight as well as our knees and hips. If we exert extra weight consistent on our elbows/shoulders, then shouldn't they wear out faster too?

It depends what they extra weight is. All fat with little muscle to carry it? Then yes, you have problems as you are not walking correctly and the weight is not being supported well. Athlete weight? Then no, as you have strengthened all the muscle and connecting tissue by the process you used to get that "extra weight." ALL studies indicate that stress/weight training improves the body-it's inactivity then lifting a weight that's too much for you and/or in the wrong way that will cause problems. You don't protect the joints by staying light. You increase the change of injury if you do have to exert yourself and your body/joints aren't conditioned to handle it.