Embarassed Myself At The Bow Shop Today...

[BuickBoy]

Well we went shopping today. I havent gotten a new bow in about 6-8 years (I'm only 19) and the bow I have now is an early 90's competition womens (although I'm male) Golden Eagle bow. Red riser, white limbs, red sight arm, red 3' stabilizer, 1916 arrows, target rest. Well, I only draw about 30-35lbs and have all of these years. I have shot nothing but this bow, so today was rough.

We get to the first shop and I talk to a kid who I know from work because he comes to my shop once in a while. He pitches a few bows and it became time to test shoot. I could not for the life of me draw a 60# bow! I could get it back and not climb the last little bit to get over the top of the cam.

I also hurt myself. I got a hoyt vectrix all the way back but I hit the solid stop and my hand moved back forward just enough that it snapped back down pulling a muscle in my shoulder. :(

I for the life of me could not get any of the mathews bows back. I tried a switchback and a year old drenalin and a new drenelin. I COULD NOT DO IT :(. Talk about embarassing.

Oh, and then it gets even better. My old archery league COACH walks in. I though OH S(*& because I was even more embarassed. I had actually bought the bow I have now from him, as it was his wife's.

Next we left with me in shame, and went to another shop about 3 miles away. They had bowtech as their main brand and also Diamond of course. Now I have been in love with the Guardian since I saw it on their site. We werent even going to talk to the guy about bows because the shop is no where near as nice so we felt kind of weird. Well he started in with me about bows.

I wound up with his guardian in my hands. I told him what had happened at the last shop and he said "Listen, this is a 60# bow and I am 64yrs old, now I'm not saying anything about age here but I'm sure you can handle this." I thought GREAT.

We went back to his indoor lanes, where I tried and tried but couldnt get it back. Eventually my dad helped me a bit and OH MY GOD the letoff is AMAZING!!! I shot. DEAD CENTER. I could not believe it! Another arrow, needed help again.

I turned around and he was standing there with a General in his hands and all I thought was OH NO. Well the General was at about 53# and I could handle that with no problem once so ever. Made me feel better. Well after I shot the General I am sold. ABSOLUTELY FREAKING AMAZING BOW!! It killed anything Mathews, PSE, HOYT, Diamond that I had heard and seen today.

Guy that was there said that his guardian put 4 arrows in a 4 inch block at 80 yds. Granted he was pulling 80# or so, the block was in the store with pictures.

Long story short, as we left the shop I told the guy, I think you just caused us to spend more money than we were planning on. He just smiled and said he would see us soon.

I guess he got in 8 Generals and 6 Guardians a week ago and only had three bows left! The guy coached me, and gave me tips and was a great help.

I'm going to be getting a General come spring, and until then I am getting one of those bow exercisers. I definately only shoot about 10-30 arrows a year now. I used to shoot youth leagues which had me at about 200-400 arrows a week. I'm WEAK. And Embarassed.

Sorry so long but, I had to share.

[det07]

just take it slow and don't hurt yourself. You wont get stronger over night. I don't know if you have ever lifted weights before but that would help build strength. Dumbbells are great for shoulders, you can do just about all of the exercises with them. (front raises, side raises, seated presses, and seated lateral raises) I think you use your back and triceps as well when drawing a bow. Just do some reading online and practice and you should be all set.

[BuickBoy]

just take it slow and don't hurt yourself. You wont get stronger over night. I don't know if you have ever lifted weights before but that would help build strength. Dumbbells are great for shoulders, you can do just about all of the exercises with them. (front raises, side raises, seated presses, and seated lateral raises) I think you use your back and triceps as well when drawing a bow. Just do some reading online and practice and you should be all set.

Yessir and Thanks! I'm determined. I'm a cyclist (I run a bicycle shop), so all my muscle is in my lower body. I powerlifted when I was 13-15, and at college lately I've been so busy I havent been able to get to the gym. I'm usually there every night and cant hardly walk out. I guess I just focus on the wrong areas for archery. I just have to use those muscles more. We discussed today that because of my target bow I am used to using only my arms and no back/shoulder to draw. I just have to change my technique for one and bulk up for two.

[Reel_Screamer86]

They actually make a piece of exercise equip that is similar to pulling back a bow for this reason.. Look around or call the local pro shops to see if they can point you in that direction.........

[BuickBoy]

They actually make a piece of exercise equip that is similar to pulling back a bow for this reason.. Look around or call the local pro shops to see if they can point you in that direction.........

Yes, we were looking at one they had there but it was $19.95 (seems cheap) and I figured I could find one that was nicer.

[BuickBoy]

double post.

[det07]

Yessir and Thanks! I'm determined. I'm a cyclist (I run a bicycle shop), so all my muscle is in my lower body. I powerlifted when I was 13-15, and at college lately I've been so busy I havent been able to get to the gym. I'm usually there every night and cant hardly walk out. I guess I just focus on the wrong areas for archery. I just have to use those muscles more. We discussed today that because of my target bow I am used to using only my arms and no back/shoulder to draw. I just have to change my technique for one and bulk up for two.

I just got back into lifting this week and I am very sore. I am planning to head out in the a.m with my bow but I am not sure how I am going to get into my tree and pull my bow back on a deer. Especially dressed with every bit of camo that I own. gotta love late season bow hunting. It sounds like you know your stuff. If I ever decide to get into riding I'll know who to talk to.

[BuickBoy]

Sounds Good! Its what I do!!

I just need to shoot. I think if I shot for a couple weeks at 55lbs I would be ready to move up to 60lbs or a little higher given the bow allowance is there.

[SPITFIRE]

try doing bent over dumbell rows over a bench will help you big time on archery strength. Just dont go too heavy till you build strength and I promise, you will be pulling enough weight back on your bow to make pass throughs with an expandable head. (shoulder blade excluded)

[Bowslayer]

If you're that worried about 60#'s, DON'T BE! There's no need to shoot that much weight at any animals in MI, except for an elk, which probably wont' happen anyway.:( I got a clean pass through a doe I shot, it broke ribs on both sides and was stuck in the ground 4 inches. I only shoot 54 lbs! 60 is not necessary. So you can get a lighter bow, get one w/ an adjustable weight from say 45 to 60 and slowly work up to 60. If you hurt yourself trying to pull back 60, you may not be able to do so for a very long time, or ever again. Good luck

[mmac1318]

I am sure it is not because you arent strong enough. It sounds like you are in good shape and even with a cyclist physique it should not be a problem for you to pull back 60#. I am sure it is a combination of form and muscle memory. You most likely dont use those muscles in that direction very often so they were shocked when you tried today. I agree if you just exercise for that motion in lower weights and gradually bump up it wont take you long at all to pull back what ever weight you want to. I can bench over 350 but in the beginning of the season when I first start shooting I definately notice my muscles struggling and quivering for at least a week or 2 of shooting. Stay with it and good luck.

[aquaticsanonymous]

don't be drawn into the he man complex where you feel that you have to draw a higher weight. As stated earlier, you don't have to pull alot of weight to kill a deer. My son killed one this year with 30lb draw weight. Shoot what you are comfortable with, and who cares what others think!

[BuickBoy]

don't be drawn into the he man complex where you feel that you have to draw a higher weight. As stated earlier, you don't have to pull alot of weight to kill a deer. My son killed one this year with 30lb draw weight. Shoot what you are comfortable with, and who cares what others think!


haha thats about how much I shoot now and I definately know what youre saying.

I'm going to be getting a General I think. That bow blew me away!


Thanks guys, the owner of the second shop said he has 6'5 guys walk in and cant pull bows that are 60#.

I just need to use that motion more!

[donahue5668]

Sounds Good! Its what I do!!

I just need to shoot. I think if I shot for a couple weeks at 55lbs I would be ready to move up to 60lbs or a little higher given the bow allowance is there.

it wrked for me i started pulling back 50lbs at the begening of the season and i had it maxed out at 70lbs in a pretty short time

[solohunter]

its like one certain muscle that pulls the bow,, i am a 47yr old who really needs to lose about an extra person,, but still pulls 77lbs on an old darton viper, weight training ect might help but pulling the bow/practice is the best remedy for a bow weight issue, keep pulling what ya can, work up,, i end up holding the bow on target, pulling straight back to minumize movement from from the deers point of view, practice as ya hunt :) but keep hunting,,,,

[jdawg240]

You would be suprised. My good buddy in college was a weight lifter. He couldnt pull back my 70lb pse. I was 165 pounds soaking wet and could shoot it all day long. My brother is a big guy and since he shoots very little he struggles with his 60lb bow. He works out everyday and lifts weights as well. Shoot that General all year at 50lb and work your way up slowley. After several months you will be able to shoot 70 if you feel you need to.

[BuickBoy]

You would be suprised. My good buddy in college was a weight lifter. He couldnt pull back my 70lb pse. I was 165 pounds soaking wet and could shoot it all day long. My brother is a big guy and since he shoots very little he struggles with his 60lb bow. He works out everyday and lifts weights as well. Shoot that General all year at 50lb and work your way up slowley. After several months you will be able to shoot 70 if you feel you need to.



haha I've been hearing many similar stories from the bow shop. I dont think I'll go 70. I dont want to hurt anyone in china when they get pricked from the arrow going through the earth and the deer!!

I cant wait until I get the bow.

[skittishdeer]

I personally shoot 70# and always have a pass through. The one time that I didn't I hit a shoulder but the muzzy shatterd it! And its cool your a cyclist ...road bikes? I race BMX and am currently state champ for 30-34 yr olds I've been doing it for like 25 years.

[BuickBoy]

I personally shoot 70# and always have a pass through. The one time that I didn't I hit a shoulder but the muzzy shatterd it! And its cool your a cyclist ...road bikes? I race BMX and am currently state champ for 30-34 yr olds I've been doing it for like 25 years.


Yessir Road. I work at Rock N Road Cycle of South Haven. One of our reps was semipro bmx for a while both in dirt and vert. Great sport.

[BeWild]

i wouldn't worry about pulling alot of weight anytime soon. If you are going to bowhunt, remember that the range and hunting are alot different. I had mine knocked down a few pounds because after a few hours on stand, it was alot harder to pull back than it was at the range. Single arm bent over rows make it easier, just shoot alot like everyone else said and you will be fine. If you get the right arrow/ broadhead combo then pass throughs are no problem with lower draw weights.