Newbie Hoyt user

[MITCH]

Hi guys, im new to the forum so go gentle with me, i hope i'm not asking a stupid question, but if it is, oh well stupid me .
here goes, I have just joined the ranks of archers with a Hoyt compound ZR100, the bow was the fith one i tried after spending around 2 hours of fit,draw length, axle this and riser that, with the owner and R.S.O. , long story short, i had a blast and hope to keep the sport up, hunting is something that may come along with time and experience, at the moment target is the way.

now to the question :- how in the hell do you build up enough muscle strength in your back to continue shooting without fatigue, honestly my back is killing me and my shoulder feels like its going to come apart, is there an exercise that will help me overcome the embarrisment of old age and stand me alongside those yutes that shoot all day, i would apreciate any help you guys can give me.

Thanks, Mitch

[Tarkwin]

IT will come with time, the required muscles will get used to the work and will develop as you progress...

Quicks (http://www.quicks.com) sell books specifically covering exercise programs/development...they also sell exercise equipment that should help you develop...

this link *may* work..

http://www.quicksarchery.co.uk/super...p?category=240

T.

[Thunk]

Originally Posted by MITCH

Hi guys, im new to the forum so go gentle with me, i hope i'm not asking a stupid question, but if it is, oh well stupid me .
here goes, I have just joined the ranks of archers with a Hoyt compound ZR100, the bow was the fith one i tried after spending around 2 hours of fit,draw length, axle this and riser that, with the owner and R.S.O. , long story short, i had a blast and hope to keep the sport up, hunting is something that may come along with time and experience, at the moment target is the way.

Thanks, Mitch

Mitch, I assume you are a UK resident. You should be aware that hunting with a bow is illegal in this country. The only legal targets are straw bosses with roundels for target, animal pictures in field archery and model animals in what the americans call 3D. Shooting anything living is a no-no.

[Little Miss Purple]

welcome aboard Mitch

As T said, you will build up with practice. I am aching all over from shooting my longbow on Saturday!! I'm sure you will get much more useful advice to follow though!!

[Radar_UK]

Welcome to the Forum

I've found that over time your muscles soon develop, I ached like hell at first !

There are several exercise 'bands' I've seen for sale but never bought one so can't comment on whether they are any good but I am sure there will be someone on here who has who could let us know.....

[Tarkwin]

Originally Posted by Radar_UK

There are several exercise 'bands' I've seen for sale but never bought one so can't comment on whether they are any good but I am sure there will be someone on here who has who could let us know.....

I have just 'invested' in one of these items - similar to the win&win item on the quicks link above...to tide me over when in March - I will be in the states for 2 weeks and couldn't justify taking my gear with me..even if I had a place to shoot...

T.

[Bald Eagle]

Hi Mitch,
You should not be aching from shooting your compound bow. I don't know what poundage it is but it sounds heavy to me. Are you from Stateside? If so, that explains a lot! The guys over there tend to like high poundage bows. Once you get the "knack" of pulling over the cam/s you will be o.k. but don't overbow yourself,especially with a compound. Practise and exercise is the key.

[Medoc]

Archery muscles take time to build, however the use of an excersize band and correct warming up are essential, if you dont warm up before any shooting (not just competitions) you risk injury.

[MITCH]

Thanks for the replys guys, Thunk sorry i hadnt filled in my profile, born and bred Bristolian been living here in Alberta Canada for 14 years, big into shotgunnig clay targets, handgunning still targets, a little hunting here and there, thought id try my hand at Archery.

Bald Eagle, the bow is a Hoyt ultrasport zr 100 set @ 56 lbs, i guess im getting a little soft with age, just need to get used to it, i find myself sat in front of the tube slow drawing the bow to practise, her indoors isn't impressed at the moment, might have to get her one too.

thanks again, hope to talk to you guys more, always get better answers from the English guys

Mitch

[jadlem]

Mitch

if you are having any difficulties with the bow at the moment you could wind the draw weight down using the limb bolts. Just be careful not to do it too much as the ultrasport doesn't have locking limb pockets!

It is far better to learn good technique with lower draw weights then gradually wind the bow up. I have done exactly this with my two hoyts over a period of 6-12 months. (beware that your draw length will change slightly as you do this too)

The Hoyt bows tend to shoot better when they are fully wound up, i'm guessing that you have a 50-60lbs model.

Again as everyone else has mentioned practise makes perfect, last night I had a chat with our county squad manager, he advises that 4 times a week with 100 or so arrows should do the trick!