Archery Muscle Tone

[ET]

One of the key factors I see with Archery is specific muscle tone. I was wondering if anyone has any specific exercises they would recommend?
My understanding is that muscles can start loosing strength after 3-days if they are not used. When working and traveling shooting a bow is not possible.

Years ago there was a piece of exercising equipment my hunting partner used to use. It had a set of springs situated between 2-handles that he would use like drawing a bow. It no longer is available and I have never come across one at a yard sale. Am even contemplating of trying to build something like it.


Ed

[Harley]

Funny you should bring up this topic, Ed. Just this morning I set up my own strengthening device. Before I tell you about that, let me describe the apparatus I've been using for the last 10 years:

In my basement I suspended a pulley from a joist, then attached a second pulley to the wall at shoulder height. After running a rope through both pulleys I hung a weight from the ceiling pulley and attached a palm-wide length of large dowel (with an eye bolt) to the wall pulley. In use, just place the hand that would hold the bow grip against the wall and draw the dowel. You can vary the weight as you improve.

When I tore my rotator cuff the therapist supplied me with different strengths of "Theraband" stretching cable. This morning it occurred to me to tie a knot in the center of the heavy blue band, then make loops at each end. In use I close a door on the knot at shoulder height, slip the loops over my "pulling" wrist, place my bow-gripping hand against the door jamb and pull. I can vary the difficulty by standing closer or further away from the door.

This last device has the advantage of costing almost nothing and is completely portable if you travel.

Harley

[deadeye]

i was gonna mention the theraband also. i just finished refinishing my log cabin that took 3 weeks total with no time to shoot archery. 1st evening back on the range was rough- groups slipped,got tired quickly, due to the layoff,however after two evenings total approx 20 arrows each evening,& back in the saddle.

[ET]

Guys I appreciate the replies and the mention of the theraband.
This does give me a direction to go.

Thanks


Ed

[Harley]

Now, Ed, I KNOW you are disappointed with the idea of the Theraband; there's nothing to "tinker" with, here.

Harley

[deadeye]

just be real careful w/the therabands,some time ago many were tying these to doorknobs for workouts,depending on the doorjamb & direction some were(well you get the picture)knocking ;D ;Dthe hell out of the excerciser. ;D

[ET]

Harley

Actually there are times I don’t mind buying equipment at a reasonable price when time becomes a factor. For my current circumstances I have lots of time on my hands. But even here I have 2-projects in the planning and construction stage. One is the String and Cable building Jig. The other is a portable winch system for helping to haul our deer cart up some steep logging roads. We can’t use ATV’s on the farms we hunt. But back to the main topic.

Earlier I mentioned a piece of equipment that involved 2-handles and springs. If I could find this then no Tinkering required. This equipment will use both arms in unison like drawing a bow and that is why I’m gravitating towards this route.
Now the mention of the Theraband unlocked the mindset of using just metal springs. Also the length with a Theraband or 2 can be easily adjusted for tension resistance and fit. Maybe not totally tinker free but should be reasonably easy to accomplish, depending on how pretty I want it to look. ;D

Deadeye

I can imagine if someone from the other side were to open the door at the wrong time if you were doing this on the side that the door opened.



Ed