Bow poundage

[Gold Flinger]

First set up last October was GM riser with GM Woodcore limbs (68") marked 28lb, so I had around 33lb on the fingers.
Upgraded the limbs to 70" Winacts marked at 38lb, so pulling around 43lb.
I know that sounds like a big jump, but I tried some Carbon Plus 70" limbs marked at 34lb with no problems (limb pockets right out) so I figured I should be able to start with 38's with limb pockets wound in, then build from there. I doubt I'll increase my poundage any more in the forseeable future.
I weight train 3-4 times a week and swim most days which I think really helps. I also tend to build my weight routines now with more "archery helpful" exercises!

[Jal]

Started in August '99 with a borrowed TD1 pulling about 28 lb, then in December same year I bought a second hand OK Match with 48 lb on my fingers and used it ever since. Can be very tiring if I do not shoot regularly though!

[mully]

Currently shooting 34 lb.

Let me throw a couple of penn'orth in here. Bear in mind, I'm a relative newbie, six or seven months shooting, so I certainly stand to be corrected.

I've seen mentioned in this thread the whole business of strength, damned weak muscles, and the like. I cranked my bow up a while ago to near its maximum, which is (theoretically) about 38 lb, and found it very difficult to steady and hold. Now, the thing is, I know my strength, I've trained with weights for years (though you wouldn't know it to look at me!), I can DB row 110 lb dumbells, so my lats, biceps, triceps, delts etc are certainly strong enough to pull a 38 lb bow, so why was it so difficult? My opinion - lack of good technique, not lack of brute strength, was/is the problem. So, I slacked off the bow again, and started from scratch, working on using the back muscles, working on a steady draw, working on the position of the bow arm, working on release....all the stuff I'm not so good at. The result has been that my scores have progressed very well, and I feel more comfortable generally with the bow. I brought the poundage up this week, just half-a-turn, and, although it took me a little while to adjust, by the end of the evening I was shooting well (for me!) again. So, in short - don't up your poundage too much or too soon, is my humble opinion.

Comments, folks? Positive or negative, both are useful.

Stephen

[Gold Flinger]

Definitely agree with your comments Stephen; have a look at my thoughts on the "Dreaded Clicker" thread. It's certainly more about technique than actual power. Working out certainly helps though!
You might already do these, but work in some rear-delt dumb-bell flies (seated on a bench, leaning forward with chest on knees).
It's not an exercise where you need much weight, but it increases your "feel" for your correct back muscles usage.