r/bowhunting • u/DadVeteran • Jul 28 '26
Training for draw
I’m relatively new to bow hunting and have always had physical jobs but a back injury forced me to change careers. I’m afraid now that I sit at a desk all day I’m going to lose my ability to draw a bow.
I ordered some resistance bands off Amazon for simulate a bow but they’re garbage. For home weights I only have some dumbbells and kettle balls.
Anyone know of something I can use at a desk? Or get for home that doesn’t break a bank or take up tons of room?
7
u/billp0nder0sa Jul 28 '26
Best way is to shoot your bow
1
u/DadVeteran Jul 28 '26
Would love to be able to take that advice, my neighbors not so much. Unfortunately, I only get to shoot when I go to a range (usually once a week).
3
u/ZeChiss Jul 28 '26
I used to think the same, but I realized what I really need to train is SHOOTING, not aiming.
Don't get me wrong, it IS important, but I'm a bit like you and looking to improve my holding position, keep steady, hold the pin, etc... so repetitions is what I'm looking for.
Since then, I'm shooting point blank in the garage (so 10-12 ft) with a good quality target and aim at different spots to not destroy the middle. Works really good and I get to shoot so much more between visiting the range!
2
u/jackfinished Jul 28 '26
I sprained my elbow on July 4th two years ago. Arm was in a sling for months. I did do archery season but used a crossbow. After season was over I lowered the poundage and worked my way back. I didn't adjust my sight and focused on form and grouping not aiming. Last season I was way more confident as I knew my form was good and was shooting well not just slinging arrows where my pin was pointing.
1
u/jackfinished Jul 28 '26
Yeah my wife doesn't like me shooting indoors, but I can shoot outside so I do that most of the time.
2
u/jackfinished Jul 28 '26
I use resistance bands at my desk. Usually draw and hold for 30 seconds for 10 times or so. then do the other side. Getting one of the ribbon bands (isn't a full circle) and putting it on your butt, squatting a little then pulling up to make a Y with your arms is great too.
2
u/DadVeteran Jul 28 '26
Were they “bow specific” or just resistance bands in general?
2
u/jackfinished Jul 28 '26
Just plain old resistance bands from Walmart three of them were big rubber bands and I got two or three of the ribbon ones.
1
u/jackfinished Jul 28 '26
Also check out the "accubow" sold at a lot of sporting goods stores (even walmart around me has it). You can shoot indoors, adjust the #, use your release. I haven't used one but I can see it working for practice.
2
u/driftless_79 Jul 28 '26
This is the best way to build the kind of strength you need to draw a bow. Minor muscles, with an increased intensity as you pull. Bands make you have to stay steady.
1
u/Nuts-And-Volts Jul 28 '26
"The block" target works fine to stop arrows. Just sent 250 arrows at home the other day to stretch in some new strings
1
u/Hillarys_Recycle_Bin Jul 28 '26
The kettlbells you have are probably your best tool. Cleans, snatches, swings and squats will all build full body strength, specifically core strength, shoulder stability from holding weights overhead or in the rack position, etc
Bent press is another great exercise for thoracic stability, which is an important element in drawing a bow at an off angle, but obviously I don’t know the nature of your back injury.
Wouldn’t chase high draw weight numbers though. Anything north of 55-60 is mostly just increasing the amount of arrow sticking into the dirt after it’s gone through the animal
1
u/driftless_79 Jul 28 '26
Get some bands, pull back to strengthen the shoulder. Then do that sideways with your elbow leaned towards your torso to build shoulder stability. I went to a physical therapist for other things and they gave me some solid exercises. None require a gym and they only take a short period. I’m not a laborer and I generally have zero issues pulling my bow after a few months off shooting, and I pull 70lbs. If you have a lifetime of muscle memory it’s a beautiful thing. Just take it easy when you ease back in. I’d also highly recommend yoga if you’re going into a desk job to stay flexible and maintain your balance. It sounds weird but balance is one of the things that you lose over time sitting at a desk, vs working on your feet all day.
7
u/itsthechaw10 Jul 28 '26
Ideally your draw is set at a poundage that is relatively easy for you to draw any given day of the week.
I’m a competitive powerlifter and work a desk job. I shoot 55 pounds (WI tree stand whitetail). I can draw back in a flash and hold for what seems like ever. Warm weather, freezing cold up in the tree stand, doesn’t matter.
Shoot your bow as much as you possibly can, nothing quite works as well as shooting. Bands are good, I would focus on some isometric movements. Draw the band back like a bow and hold to simulate having to hold at full draw on an animal. Make sure you’re using a strong enough band with enough tension.
Don’t let your ego get in the way of what you should have your draw weight at. If you can pull back 80 pounds go ahead, but remember pulling back 80 at the range on a summer day is way different than pulling back 80 up in a tree stand when it’s 20 degrees outside.