strength help

[rluttrell]

I am a right handed person that is learning to shoot left handed. What suggestions do you guys have to help me get my dumb arm in shape?
Thanks

[Raging Water]

Shoot a bunch of arrows lefty. You will build strength quickly.

Matt

[horsehairhunter]

Robert-  Can I ask what you mean by "get in shape"?  There is a difference between the raw strength to pull a bow repeatedly during a practice session and the skill to place the arrows in the X ring.

[Javi]

If you are asking from a strength issue then
look into a BowFit and the accompanying DVD with exercises.. it really does work.. I used it to rehab from 3 surgeries.. Next best thing to actually shooting..

[PEARL DRUMS]

I second Matts idea......shoot the bow.

[Stumpkiller]

It ain't de arm, it's de back.

[seven crows]

pull ups,  push ups,   hand stand push ups, dips, and sport specific work. ie: shoot the bow, and breath.............

[rluttrell]

I am sure like most people your strong hand is more coordinated. What I meant about getting in shape was to teach my less coordinated and weaker arm what to do.

[chanumpa]

Those rubber excercise bands work good and you can pull on them while you are sitting around.Cheap and can get them at about any place that sells work out stuff.A bicycle iner tube would probably work good too.

[Friend]

Good chance that the awkwardness of shooting left handed could be the biggest challenge.

Consistent and committed practise while using a lighter draw wt will get you there much quicker.

I suspect after several weeks of numerous practise session that shooting left handed will start becoming more natural.

[kawika b]

Like Friend said... Strength will be developed while practicing keeping your form in check with a lighter weight bow... strong and horrible form is bad... go slow.

Or you can buy one of Matt's bows... step on the string with both feet and use both arms to do some rows and bicep curls... lie down on your back with the string under you back and do some presses.... jus funnin.

[njloco]

Indian clubs, and kettlebells.

[Roots]

I had a Gary Sentman video and he recommended using a spring chest expander to build up bow pulling strength.

[lpcjon2]

Go old school and do push ups every morning and night.

[bsoper]

In addition to pushups/pullups, I got 3 of those rubber exercise bands and braided them together and tied a knot in each end. It pulls about 50#, I draw and release that. I am in the same boat as you, a righty learning to shoot lefty  

[CEO]

Make/buy a Form Master. Start with long string on Form Master and draw and hold bow for several seconds using only back. (No fingers on string.) As strength increases gradually shorten Form Master string. This will increase actual length of bow draw and increase resistance. With this method you can control the amount of training resistance. It also has the bonus of training the right muscles to draw the bow. I know that this is not very clear. Maybe someone else can better explain.