poundage jump

[fireball31]

For me jumping from 50lbs to 55lbs is a waste

Yup. unless i had the money to buy a ton of bows to go up slowly.  I made the jump from 50 to 60 with no issues whatsoever.  in fact i then jumped to 70 again with no negative issues.  i just can't shoot the 70lbr all day.

[lpcjon2]

Howard Hill conditioned himself to be able to shoot 80# bows comfortable  all the time and so can you  if you do it correctly.you need to condition yourself

[Arrow4Christ]

I think the best thing is to draw some bows of different weights and see what feels good.
I shoot so much that my mid-to-high 50s bows start to feel like absolutely nothing at full draw. I like to feel some tension at full draw as I feel it helps me come off the string better and find my conclusion. I believe being able to hold on target without creeping for 10 seconds repeatedly throughout a practice session as Wingnut said is a good test to see if you're overbowed.
It's really best if you can at least draw back a bow like the one you're looking at in a similar weight to see how it feels. I need to be able to draw back the bow using only my back without feeling any tension in my arms and very little in my shoulders.

Craig

[LV2HUNT]

Ten is a big jump. Five would be more conservative and would a 60# provide a real advantage over a 55#? Additionally I would suggest that it is easier to sell a lighter bow to move up than vice versa (IMO).

If you are hunting with it consider how that bow will feel on a cold morning when you have been sitting for hours and are just about to quit and your intended target shows up. I personally learned that the hard way.

[E. Texas HillBilly]

Bowmaster,
      How easy are you shooting the 50? If it is very easy then I think the jump to 60 will be easy for you. I personally jumped from 48# to 85# and did just fine and still shoot that bow today. I had cancer surgery on my shoulder and had chunks of the humerous bone removed and replaced with cadaver bone, then I dropped to a 70# bow. I worked with it until I was able to shoot it with ease for as long as I wanted, then went back to the 85# bow. I still shoot both though I tend to lean towards the 70#er because I like the bow better. It is a Howard Hill. I plan on having Craig make me an 85#er as soon as I can though because I prefer the heavy bow weight. I may be the exception to the rule, but if you shoot the bow with ease, for as long as you like, then by all means move up 10#.
                                        Hillbilly

[Richie Nell]

Since you asked...

What's the big deal?

Some people make this a big deal because they  don't want to mix muscle strain and strengthening with shooting their weapon.

If you are changing bows because you just want to buy another bow then get whatever you want.

BUT if you are getting another bow because you want to increase bow weight then I highly recommend not moving a small increment like 5 lbs.  Make it at least 10 or more lbs. OR don't do anything.

It not a big deal in effort to pull another 10 lbs. unless your afraid of a little muscle strain and build.

All you have to do is get the bow, pick it up and pull it everyday, every time you walk into the room.  In a matter of no time flat you will be able to pull it to your intended draw with no problem.
It will help some but...you do not have to go work out with weights, do push ups, etc.  You are using totally different muscles when you do totally different exercises.  If you want to strengthen your bow pulling muscles then pull the stinkin bow back.

There are plenty of free weight "strong" men that can not efficiently draw a 60 lb. recurve bow.  They have been living and exercising on a different planet with different muscles.

If you want to draw and shoot a heavier more powerful bow then get it and pull it.

And for hunting, you are much better off by NOT using a little weight as you can get by with.

[bowmaster12]

thats for all the good advice and everyones thoughts i dont really hold my draw when i shoot so im not sure how long i can hold without creep or shacking i hit my anchor and let fly.  Im thinking of buying a whisperstik but im worried about getting a bow that i cant shoot, (been readign alot of threads about being over bowed) I know a lighter bow has plenty of killing power its all about shot placement but for some reason 60 lb is in my had as the perfect bow weight.  I guess right now im leanign towards a 5lb jump to make sure i can shoot and enjoy my new bow