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How to "shoot in" a bow when you cannot shoot?

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JW_Halverson:
While I have never really enjoyed shooting the bows I make, I used to be able to force myself to take a finished bow to the range a few times and shoot it for at least a few hundred shots. But now my left shoulder is out of the game and I cannot even pull the 20# lb kids bow I finished up.

Can you replace actual shooting where the string is released and the limbs work against the load bearing arrow with just exercising on the tiller tree?

Pat B:
John, I think shooting a bow is the only way to shoot one in. There are things you can do that will help without actual shooting. Exercising on the tiller tree, gradually out to full draw is one. Sweating the bow, leaving it braced for periods of time, starting with an hour and gradually extending that time to as much as 6 hours over a few days. Both of these things help to educate the bow to bend and recover and let you know that the bow can be braced for a while, like while hunting, with minimal loss of energy. I think the only difference is the effects your bow hand has while shooting.

bassman211:
We will all be there some day. It is just a fact of life. I feel for you. I shot 55 bows most all of my life. Now I am down to 25 to 35 lb bows. Not from muscle strength, but from bone joints. What Pat said.

Del the cat:

--- Quote from: bassman211 on November 06, 2025, 12:24:20 pm ---We will all be there some day. It is just a fact of life. I feel for you. I shot 55 bows most all of my life. Now I am down to 25 to 35 lb bows. Not from muscle strength, but from bone joints. What Pat said.

--- End quote ---
Yeah, I had a lot of elbow trouble. A while back I found I couldn't even do one push up  :o
Gradually got back to doing 12 but with my knees on the floor. A good thick neoprene elbow support helps while shooting.
I really wanted to use my flight bow to push out my PB.
Its hard work keeping even passably fit.  :(
Keep on keepin' on guys.
Del

bjrogg:
I hope you can get shooting again JW

A little over ten years ago my shoulder was killing me. I couldn’t work with my arms above my shoulders.

I had to go to physical therapy first, before any surgery or treatment.

My therapist said he was sure I had a torn rotator cuff and that the other muscles would take over if I trained them.

He had me do several exercises and then gradually some more. I wasn’t really expecting much but my shoulder is good.

I went for my back about a year and half ago. It’s helped and I have gotten back in better shape, but my back still hurts.

I definitely would recommend physical therapy if you haven’t already tried it.

Bjrogg

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