Age heavy poundage, and shoulder problems?

[moleman]

Ive seen a number of comments that tend to link heavy poundage to shoulder problems as we become older, so with that in mind, how many of you folks over 50 are still shooting bows 60lbs and over with no ill effects on your body?
If you do, what are your conditioning secrets... if any?

[Doc Nock]

Paul,

I'm not, but I'd say if they are, conditioning is only part of the equation...a Good Gene Pool is the other 1/2!

I got a cesspool, not a gene pool...

[DennyK]

Not Me

[magnus]

I'm in my 40's and can't shoot 60+#'s. can't shoot at all right now. I think it's more mileage and wear and tear than age or bow weight.

[pruiter]

Still shooting 71 pds,  But now own a 55 pd as well. 51 years old here

[Cool Springer]

I'm 51, so I guess I'm at the top of the downhill slope.
I have two 62# bows, a longbow and a recurve.  I shoot both during the summer, but once it gets close to October, I go with my 56# Foley recurve.  Practicing with the heavier poundage makes the 56# bow feel great.
I do try to stay in shape year round, always with shooting my bow in mind.  Lately I've been shooting very little, but working out a lot.  I have to say though that nothing beats shooting your bow for keeping those important muscles strong.

[Andy Cooper]

I'm 57 and the heaviest bow I still shoot is 69@28. I mostly shoot 50#, but my favorite bow is 62#. When I get to shoot a lot, the 69 pounder doesn't seem heavy. If I go a couple of weeks without shooting (which doesn't happen very often thank God!)even the 50's seem heavy the second time back out. The first time back out, I'm so glad to be shooting again that I don't notice!

[siwash]

Heavy bows and aging can cause blown rotator cuffs; myself and my orthropedic surgeon can verify!!!

[Justin Falon]

I am 41 years old. I normally shoot my 85# longbow. The only thing I have noticed is that if I don't shoot it for several months, I become fatigued more quickly.  I am not a guy that shoots dozens of arrows so I am okay only shooting every few days or weeks. I never noticed any pains except when shooting really heavy weights without proper muscle conditioning. Been shooting heavy bows all my life.

[HARL]

Mid 50's now and still shoot 65-68# bows. Have always been fairly active but have dropped 10-15 #'s in the last few years .

[Stumpkiller]

I got pretty sick (sepsis and bacterial lymph infection) at age 49 (was 6'3" & 155 lbs - down from 210 lbs in a few months) and never got back to the 60-65# bows I had been shooting.  I now weigh 175 and I'm happy at 50-55# at age 53.  No shoulder problems.  My knees are happier, too.  I have some arthritus starting and my right elbow occasionally reminds me after a shooting session.  

My Dream Catcher draws 58# at my draw length and that is as much as I care to shoot.

[joe skipp]

I'm heading in next Friday to have my rotator cuff and cyst taken care of in my right shoulder.

Heaviest bow I shoot is 58#. All the rest are 52/55 and I'm more comfortable with the lighter poundages. I'll be 61 this August...I still work out pulling back a 65# bow for excercise only. After this surgery and rehab, will use the 58# bow and discard the heavier one.

[coaster500]

I have to shoot 50 pounds or so. My bow arm shoulder just won't take any more...  hope I can continue.........

[DamselflyFarm]

51 here. I still shoot, on occasion, my 60# Hill-style Longbow, but I don't hunt with it any longer. I'm much happier with my new 50# recurve.

[njloco]

I have noticed that the lower the grip on the bow the less it bothers my bow shoulder.

[Knawbone]

I'm soon to be 54, never weighed more than 130 until I hit my late 40's. Still shoot up to a 54 lb bow but less stress on my small frame to shoot 50. No shoulder or arthritis problems and I intend to keep it that way.Just because you have the strength to draw heavy bows, doesn't mean you should.Listen to your body.  

[stykshooter]

I'm 59 and shoot 65# which is the same #'s I've shot since I was 30

[mtnman1945]

I am 68 and I shoot mostly my 70# Turkish horn bow and my 1960 Bear Alaskan 65#.  I have quite a large garage with a set up for shooting in bad weather.  I keep fit by shoot almost every day.  Most people I know only use their bows a few months of the year and have a difficult time getting the necessary muscles to adjust without some muscle stress.  As I shoot on a regular basis I hardly notice the draw weight at all.

[MnFn]

Gave my 60# recurve to my son. If I warm up right I can shoot my 56# longbow, but just in case I bought a 48# longbow. I was 60 this past year.

[Pat B.]

I'll be 59 in a couple of months and am shooting a 63# Hill that's 68" long. I'm more comfortable with my 57 pounder but if I shoot daily the heavier bow is just fine..  For the last several years I'd been shooting bows in the mid to upper 40's..  Just decided to get back into some heavier weights..