Due to not shooting for the past few years may ability to draw my normal shooting weight has fallen off drastically. 70 years old. I don't really have a good place to shoot so I thought I would just try something. I had fallen down to about 53# being the max I could get back to 28. Last week I started shooting at least a dozen arrows a day which isn't much and this week I am up to 56#. My normal max is about 64#. I want to get to a comfortable 70# by next september.

What I am trying different this year is using a 70# for a workout bow. I do about a dozen as far as I can draw it shots. today it was 24 1/4". I plan to move the tape up about 1/4" whenever I am able to draw it to the shelf.

No matter what I do I can't seem to engage my back muscles. I have struggled with this for years. The only muscles I feel are those across the top of my shoulders and my neck. So after I get done shooting I lower the bow down a bit and just practice closing my shoulder blades while drawing the bow. It doesn't draw very far like this but it does activate all my back muscles as I can feel them pumped up when I am done.

I thought I would post this to give me an incentive to stay with it every day. I will report back about once or twice a week whenever and if ever I make gains.

Don't do it every day. Do it after shooting the 53 0r 56 every other day you won't get stronger if you don't give your muscles time to heal. Remember also you can't out train bad nutrition give your muscles good protein to feed off. Eggs eggs eggs and eggs

Shooting heavy is about technic, not necessary muscles. Find a way to engage back muscles earlier, not shoulders. You can do it if no matter how you draw - push pull or swing draw - you keep the string hand / forearm close to the upper body as much as possible during the drawing sequence.

Rotational draw will do it.

+1 on the rotational draw

Can you try a lower anchor point? Some folks report they can draw easier with the line of draw lower.

I would wait til I could do 50 shots with the 53lb bow before moving up.

Here is a pail full of incentive for you, Badger. This younger 58 year old archer looks up to you. I am excited first that you are interested in archery, more so that you are making a comeback, and I'm impressed how you are working up in draw weight.

Good luck learning to transfer that draw weight to your back muscles. Most archers level their elbow with their shoulder and rotate it back and around. Don't get hurt. I look forward to seeing more posts about your 70 at 70 experiment.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. Good luck though.

Well, I have boots as old as you, almost, and I believe that the best way to build up for archery is to shoot hundreds, nay, thousands of arrows out of light bows, say 30 to 35 pounds. I did that and could shoot 70# bows at your age.

There is no reason to. Any fool can see I am not the man I once was and a 50# will take anything on this continent. 40# will take whitetail or mule deer just fine. More might break you down and take you out of the game before you reach 75 years. - lbg

Longbow, I am only wanting to get to 70# so I can shoot in the 70# flight bow class this September. My every day shooting bows are about 52# @28 and my draw is 26 1/2, so under 50#. I just don't have much time for practice like I would like to. never did enjoy shooting a bunch of arrows either unless I am shooting them for distance or testing bows through a chrono.

Form practise your form and proper technique When you go up in weight dont be in a hurry time frame or not If ya go to fast,,and this is my opinion,,,,youll just develope bad habbits thatll hurt in the long run Ive built up my draw weight threw the years and tryd the lighter to heavyer bow route meaning 30-35# then go up 30-35# is good for form but is much different in the long run to heavyer weights Release and string tension along with bow arm angles will be much different

Blah blah blah,,,all i mean to say is pick a good weight to start as in what your comfy with as in not to light not to heavy And work your way up Now days i mostly bring two bows to the range with me and warm up good then go up in weight,,,and if i start to see difference in my form or release ill go back down Not big jumps in weight but enough to not wreak my form and release Like i shoot 50# and then goto 56# etc And when it all works out i go 56# to 60# till im where i wanta be

Wow! At 70 years old and attempting to increase draw weight to 70 lbs. My hats off to you. Keep at it! Your method might work.

Someone used the phrase "in the long run" with my mom when she was about 90 yrs old. She said, "Honey, long run for me could be a few days".

Mountain man, I have 4 months and I only need to shoot 6 arrows at that weight.

Do you your 70# bow you wanta use?

And whats the draw weight of the bow you do have thats closest to it? Or even the two next in draw weight

And here again,,,"In my opinion",,,,,even though its just 6 arrows id imagen you wanta make those 6 arrows count Itll take practice to get to and use 70# draw weight to effect Id would work it up is all im saying you have time,,,

Steve, I think that's a really bad idea. I'm 70 also and when you hit that age it's not easy to build strength. You're really risking injury that could end your archery career.

I don't like to make some sort of statement like that without backing it up somehow. I have not read the article about the Mary Rose in the current issue of TBM. I've mention the facts about the ship in articles I've written and one of them concerned the bodies they discovered. They could identify the archers from the seaman by skeletal damage.

If you can't engage your back muscles your not getting anywhere near bone on bone contact. That will not help your spine and shoulders. I'd start light until I got good alignment. That's much easier on your body.

Shooting 68 pounds for close to 20 years twisted my spine.

Bowmania

Bowmania, I am being pretty careful. I spent my whole life doing physical work and still do a lot of drawknifing making bows as well as other woodworking projects. I just haven't kept up my shooting. I think if I could train those back muscles to start engaging I might have a chance.

Let's see if this link works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjW6_60Vvp8&t=0s&list=LLNge9ZxOKFGFrIa-UL3RyXw&index=4

Rotational draw works with heavy bows works just if the bow and arrow are above shoulder height. In this case the bow hand and the string hand are above shoulder height and close to the line of shoulders. It's how the overbowed guys are solving the "problem" - you can see that for many compound shooters too. If you want to shoot #70 bow for flight bow class you should train to be capable to hold the bow at least 6 seconds at full draw - build the confidence that you can point it where you want without snap shooting. OR learn how to shoot based on English warbows techniques - in that case you push your body into the bow and advices here using static target stance is pointless.

Rotational draw works with heavy bows works just if the bow and arrow are above shoulder height. In this case the bow hand and the string hand are above shoulder height and close to the line of shoulders. It's how the overbowed guys are solving the "problem" - you can see that for many compound shooters too. If you want to shoot #70 bow for flight bow class you should train to be capable to hold the bow at least 6 seconds at full draw - build the confidence that you can point it where you want without snap shooting. OR learn how to shoot based on English warbows techniques - in that case you push your body into the bow and advices here using static target stance are pointless.

I picked up 3/4" today using the above the shoulders rotational draw which is what I use for flight anyway. That puts me at 59#. 2 weeks ago I was struggling to hit 50 so it is moving up pretty fast. I was only able to hit the 59# mark 3 times then started falling off.

I know this is a boring topic but I figure if I post on here I will have some incentive to stay with it. It doesn't take much to sidetrack me.

I think I will stay with the two or 3 times a day several pull thing after I do at least a dozen shots at 50#. If I hit a plateau I will consider some weight training.

I agree with the high draw idea, which helps engage the proper back muscles. Weight training might increase the chance of injury.

I again suggest that part of your training should be more reps with a lighter bows. Weight lifters and pretty much all athletes do light reps as part of their training. The rest day is when we go stronger and past age 50 two rest days are often helpful. You have got to rest and heal stressed tissues.

Whatever, kindly let us know how it goes and good luck with it. - lbg

I know many archers who are older that now shoot lightweight bows compared to the heavyweights that they drew when they were younger.I am not sure what the point is to shoot 70 #s at 70 years age.I think you might be asking for joint problems.I would want to preserve my joints as I age and already do that.I want to remain as physically functional in my latest years for just ordinary tasks.

I might do it if I was on a special hunt for some really big game that cost me alot of money

I would not want to short draw a heavy bow to work my way up to full draw.It can lead to shooting issues.Like short drawing and snap shooting or target panic type syndromes.

I shot mostly 65-70 pound bows in my 30s and 40s.I could pull and shoot 90#s.

I now shoot mid 40s and feel good about it.Joints feel good and I can shoot alot of arrows every other day.

If I had a big hunt for a big animal I could train for it and shoot heavier.But I don't have that kind of hunt planned.So I stick with what kills deer and I shoot accurratly and reduce wear on my body as well.

If you can do it that's fine!Be smart though.

Bowhunt, We have a 70# class in the broadhead flight shoot I want to compete in with my self bows. I only have to shoot 6 arrows or even less if I choose to. It might be my last flight shoot so it is kind of important. The 70# class is a new class.

That is the best tutorial in one video I've ever seen. Arne Moe has long been my hero. A rotational draw allows us to transition to the back much sooner than drawing straight back. I like Arne's term "fence post." I find the biggest road block to utilizing the back muscles is arching or curving the back. Try this: Stand straight (head and back like a fence post) elbows at shoulder level, fists against chest. Squeeze the shoulder blades together and then push them apart. Now, arch your back and do the same. You'll find it'll reduce your ability to use those muscles greatly. Now, do the same with your back curved forward. If you lean forward from the waist with the back straight, you'll regain the use of your back muscles. To control elevation, don't curve the back, keep the upper body like a "T", back like a "fence post." For fun, sometimes I'll have students shoot a few arrows kneeling or standing on one foot. They are surprised by their accuracy when they maintain upper body alignment. Now, the way to strengthen the back is to strengthen the core. I had a Huhh?!! moment when a doctor told me to do sit ups to prevent back injury. It works. Here's another concept that may help. Most of what we do, outside of archery, is repetative motions with our hands within a very limited area. Cell phone, computer, draw knife, kitchen duties, almost everything most of us do with our hands is within a 1' by 2' rectangle about belly level. This destroys the shoulders. I had a shoulder problem for over two years. Thaught I was doomed to eating Pablum and 20# bows. Started some simple range of motion exercises. Problem was non-existant within 3 months. I have to admit, though, birthdays are coming faster than increased strength. Rick

Daily update, slight improvement everyday so far. I bumped the 60# mark today and was able to get the 59# mark back 6 times instead of the 3 times I did yesterday.

Back muscles near the shoulder blades are starting to engage more using the over the shoulder flight stance type draw. I can feel the muscles pumped up after the workout.

I would use a chest pull to develop shoulder and back muscles, slow reps. I have an adjustable position weight bench for working out with dumb bells. there are a number forward motion exercises that can be best done with dumb bells that keep the shoulders healthy, slow reps. I am almost 67, last summer the young guy that I gave my 89 pound big 5 to stopped by to shoot a few with with me. I can still shoot the heavy bows, but it is not something that I should do on a regular basis. The heavy stuff tends to take its toll. Like my high school friend Vern Den herder said, when he started playing with the Dolphins, he would feel beat up the next day after game, but a couple of days later, he was ready to go. His last years with the Dolphins, he felt beat up the whole next week. I take lots of high grade supplements, over time things like Bodease turmeric, Physiotru fish oil and Alpha Male can help reduce inflammation and help with cell regeneration.

At 65, I did what you want to do. I read all of the threads in the archive on shooting heavy bows. I finally bought a very heavy bow to practice with every time I shot my regular bows(55-65#). After 9 months I could shoot 97# once, holding, aiming, and releasing, in one, controlled shot. I now shoot 70-77# 90% of the time, 60# the rest of the time. Obviously you feel you can do it, or you wouldn’t be attempting the jump in weight. I applaud your effort. This guy, Wolfie Hughes, helped me understand shooting with back tension.

https://youtu.be/Wu8PSs-4HCg

Rested up over the weekend and slipped back 1 pound for my morning workout, going to try again in the afternoon. Bow arm seems to be my weakness. I had a paralyzed tricep that surgery helped quite a bit but never went back to normal. going to try push ups to see if that will help strengthen it.

Do the push-ups on the wall not on the floor and do them on your fists, knuckles making at a 45 angle. If you hold the arms in front, fist level to your nipple level and each thumb knuckle in line with the edge lines of your torso you are set - your shoulders will be low and you will favour the triceps work and back work vs pectorals.

Yep...what Draven said. You can isolate the muscles you want to strengthen by moving your hands around doing push ups. You can actually work every muscle in your upper body doing different types of push ups.

Stick to your path, though many will present reasons not to do it, realize your goal.

I payed off my heavy bows(85 +) and went light,56 # self bow,that was fine ,but when I tied my 71s,(my favorite weight) it was tough,so I stayed at 56,shot a two day tournament,then after the tourny,I stated to pull back my 71every day a dozen times,and did it lefty too,now I am back in the driver's seat at 71#,all day..I am 60 years old,and sling steel everyday,welding and fabrication,strength and technique are two separate things,and the further they get away from each other,the more you need to do to get back

I laid off for a couple of days and just drew lighter bows because of shoulder pain. Pain let up a little this morning so I started back on my 70#. I got 63# back 8 times before I started falling off so I am still getting stronger. Going to start training drawing a left hand bow just in case I don't get to where I need to be by september but it does seem to be advancing regular. Doing a better job of engaging back muscles. I still can't draw worth a darn in the target stance so I am only training in the flight stance at 45 degree angle. I got to within 2 1/2" of full draw on the first couple draws. Report back in a few days.

shooting lots of arrows with lighter bow is good idea,, I do that, and can draw the 70#,, even though I dont shoot that bow much,,

wanted to add,, I know you gonna make it,, good luck on your shoot too,,

Depending on the shoulder pain, I find push-ups recenter the joint, as they are the opposite motion. For the purpose of archery I never find I need many of them. 5 would probably do it.

--------------------------

I was working on weight earlier this winter, and I mounted a laser on the bow. So that it hit pretty much center of target for where I would aim the bow, since I didn't have an arrow in the bow, I needed to make sure I wasn't practicing pointing it in the wrong direction. What I did was draw the bow, and I had a CD mounted (just a convenient size object, beware of laser reflection) 40 feet away on a wall. I would draw the bow, and hold on the hole in the CD, then let down when the laser dot was no longer controllable on the disc. So I was holding past the point of steady hold.

Worked great. One can also practice form that way. I can see what makes the dot dance.

I’m doing the same thing this year. I’ll be 69 soon and I’m starting to shoot my 68# prairie falcon that I haven’t shot in years. Working up to it little at a time.

Arne Moe is a great coach. He possesses a rare gift of being able to quickly analyze your shot and identify areas in need of improvement. Further, he is able to effectively communicate how to achieve that improvement.

I watched the Arne Moe video, he is good. I plan to keep going back to it.

I'm 66 and I have a 73@28 Talon longbow. This thread got me to practice draw it for exercise. 27 in. draw on it so far. Haven't tried to shoot at anything yet.

You almost have it Norm!

I ordered some of those rubber bands that Art Moe recommended in his video.

I'm in the "why" camp. I read your reasons and if I was your close friend I would be telling you it is a bad idea everyday. Not worth it. Oh...imho

I have good friends who were very strong in their younger days who are mucho sorry they kept shooting bows that didn't gain them anything. The cost analysis doesn't add up to me.

Please be careful if you continue.

In addition to pulling the bow I try to get to the gym 2 or 3 times a week. Mostly back and shoulder exercises with push ups.

BTW If you set your goals low enough you are bound to achieve them.

My left shoulder has been my Achilles heal since I was a teenager. Doesn't seem to get worse or better it just doesn't tolerate much strain. I used to go out for weeks at a time but now it seems to resolve itself in less than week most of the time. I am not going to baby it, just going to pull as hard as I can and if it works it works if it don't it don't.

Been about a week since I checked in, yesterday I got back 64# but it wasn't pretty. I have been exercising with the rubber stretchers more than shooting. The pain in the left shoulder has gotten better in some respects in that it no longer hurts in my everyday activities, now it seems to only hurt when I draw a bow and that seems to be improving and lets up much quicker once I am done working it. I am a little surprised that my ability to draw hasn't bumped up more than it has because my physical strength has greatly improved and my shirts are even fitting different so I am adding muscle. Going to stay with it, 70# or bust! I hope it aint bust.

Badger, Good for you! Never ceases to amaze me that people give advise based on what motivates or would motivate them, as opposed to what motivates you. People tell me to lift lighter weights to prevent injury, but the thing is, I like pushing heavy weights. I wouldn't even go up to the gym in the first place if it was just to lift moderate weights and stay fit. With that in mind, you may want to incorporate a tennis ball into your routine. Put the ball between your shoulder and a wall and find the sore spots. Gotta break up the knots and get the blood flowing before stuff locks up. Hope this helps! Jim

Good luck Badger, playing through pain can work, but sometimes not. I hope yours is a good plan. I can remember shooting a 68# recurve for awhile in a previous century, but it's not in my future. Stay well.

Thanks George, handle, that tennis ball is a great idea.

Livin life. Go Badger.

Thy this, dead simple...

Sorry, didn't embed...

Try again, hope it's simple this time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9d9kgQOJO0

That technique is helpful, it takes a little practice.

Thank you George. This helped me get lined up straight, the big azimuth errors went away and the whole thing is more relaxed and natural. I'm still a lousy shot but it's more fun.

Good luck Badger!

Does it look like that guy with the warbow has more flex in his bow arm elbow when he pulls it back behind his ear?

I applaud your efforts to achieve your goal. I hope you succeed without causing irreparable harm. Your objectives are very different from many of us and that results in the varying advice you are receiving. I am 71 myself and have been through some health issues that prevented my from shooting at all for about a year and a half at a time on three different occasions. I have struggled to get my strength back after the most recent episode but I am finally up to shooting my favorite longbow again. That one is "only" 52# @ 28".

But for me it is about the shooting. I want to be able to shoot 50 or 60 arrows at a time at least and maybe even more on occasion. That is drastically different from trying to launch 6 arrows tops. I also hope and pray that my ability to shoot doesn't result in permanent damage to what is left of my muscles. If I have to I will reduce the draw weight of what I shoot the most. Like I said, for me it is about the shooting.

Best of luck in your efforts.

I would quit archery if I found myself wanting to prove myself with bow weight. 74yrs, same bows as at 60, more accurate. None of the aches/pains I had even 5 years ago, much better form.

If pain's the game, banging one's head against a wall is more convenient.

"Does it look like that guy with the warbow has more flex in his bow arm elbow when he pulls it back behind his ear?"

No. He is doing two things: 1 He pushes his body into the bow when he is planting his front foot that way. 2 He draws the bow using a swing instead just trying to pull with his string arm muscles.

Jk, has nothing to do with wanting to prove myself with bow weight, I simply want to be able to shoot in the 70# class. It is a new weight class and I would like to be able to get an entry in there. If I had wanted to prove myself I would have been shooting heavier bows along.

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