Best Conditioning Exercises for Archery Warmup

Best Conditioning Exercises for Archery Warmup
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Stretch Arms and Chest

The Centenary Archers Club recommends beginning with some arm and chest loosening exercises. Stretch your arms in front of you, palms outward. Lock your fingers together and lift them above the head. Hold this position for ten seconds and repeat.

Another good conditioning exercise for archery is the chest and arm stretch. This is more for advanced archers who have long arms and a lot of flexibility. Bend one arm behind the head, as if you were going to scratch your back. Reach the second arm behind the back and grab the fingers of the first hand, making an angle behind the back. Hold this position for ten seconds.

Loosen Back

It’s not difficult to throw your back out during any sport or lifting activity, so it’s always a good idea to stretch your back in addition to your arms. Begin by crossing both arms in front of your chest in a self-hug. Crawl your fingers along your back until they reach their full extent. Hold this extended position for ten seconds and repeat.

Prepare Your Shoulders

Your shoulders can get injured during archery, so your shoulders should be included in your conditioning exercises for archery. Extend both arms out in front of you and clasp them together. Twist your arms and torso from side to side as far as your torso allows. Do so slowly, and do not make sudden, jerking motions.

Condition Shooting Muscles

There are many small muscles in your fingers and arms that don’t get stretched with each regular exercise, but these are some of the same muscles you’ll be using to pull the bowstring and release the arrow.

Devise a shooting implement to mimic your bow. Use a rubber band or rubber loop of some kind that is tied in a loop. Hold the front of the loop in front of you, as if you were shooting an arrow. Draw the back of the loop up to your ear, imitating the position of a drawn bow. Do not release this grip! Hold it for ten seconds and gently bring it back to the original position.

Exercising with the Bow

You need to exercise with your bow just as much as without it. According to KSL International Archery School, bow exercises help shooters build strength, gain flexibility, and improve your shooting structure.

One of the best conditioning exercises for archery is the structure stretch. Hold your bow as if you were going to shoot, but instead of drawing the bow, grip the bow above the area where you usually hold it, so it’s near the top. Reach your drawing hand behind your head and grab the bowstring. Pull the bowstring gently, not as far back as you would to launch an arrow, but enough to create an angle. Hold this position and release it gently after ten seconds.

Sources:

Centenary Archers

KSL International Archery