BowFit upper body exerciser

[firehunter48]

Last year I went to try and draw my bow (60#) and couldn't even budge the string. I am thinking it is because of the neck surgery and damage I have done to my neck and shoulders and the multiple surgeries etc. 

 

I would like to try to get my strength back to be able to draw it again, try being the key word there. I think it could be a good type of physical therapy for me as well as getting closer to being able to bow hunt again. I have been told many times by a couple of my doctors who hunt that when you draw a bow, it is the ONLY time that you will use those muscles. Meaning that the muscles you use to draw your bow are ONLY used for that purpose. So it's one of those use it or loose it type things and I have more than lost them at this point.

 

I was doing some good old surfing on this here inter web and came across this thing. Does anyone know anything more about it? Anyone here ever use it? Does it really work?

 

I have read the reviews and from what the people say, it sounds pretty good. But I am still unsure about reviews posted on a seller's website so here I am asking the people on here that can be trusted not to be partial

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/BOWFIT-Upper-Body-Exerciser/745482.uts#BVRRWidgetID

 

 

[sweet old bill]

I went thru rehab a few years ago and started with a kids bow of 20 lbs and worked back up to a 60 lb compound over time. Now 74, I still shoot almost every day but the bow is now set at 53 lbs. The new bows seem to store  foot lbs and are very fast. You do not need the high draw weight as in years past. I use carbon arrows and 100 grain fixed blade BH for deer.

[growalot]

Sweet bill is correct I had to go down to 49 #'s due to dislocating my shoulder(several times) and my Mission Venture has cleanly killed a few deer out to 35 yrds, dropping 2 where they stood.

I do my shoulder exercises at the gym but we also have bands and tubing at the house...for the price I see on your link...you may want to Google exercise tubing...to get a better price...for they do wear out after a time especially if used regularly. Also you can conform them to many different routines and weight resistances.

 

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aexercise%20tubing

Edited July 14, 2015 by growalot

[Doc]

It might do the job, but I would first try to drop the weight down on your bow as much as possible and see how that works. You can't beat archery equipment for building back archery muscles.

 

By the way, back those limb bolts out carefully and make sure that you stay within the minimum design draw weight of the bow.

[The_Field_Ager]

Does it really work?

 

 

A similar thread was started recently. It looks like it will do the job. Exercise bands can be purchased for less money and will also work. The bands come in different degrees of resistance, which will allow you to work up to the harder resistance levels.

 

It's true that most sedentary lifestyles will not work the bow draw muscles much. This could be said of most of our muscle groups tho. 

 

Dumbbell row exercises will also help

[fasteddie]

I had some of the exercise bands several years ago . You could hold them and go through drawing a bow motions . I would sit in my office and use them a few times a day a couple months before Bow Season . It helped quite a bit .

[Five Seasons]

For $30 it's probably not a bad idea if it doesn't work you're not broke. There's plenty of good free exercises too. Talk to you PT they should have some for you. My wife's a PT and I can ask her if you don't have any luck. Let me know.

[Elmo]

I sometimes use my wife's pilates resistance bands.  Not much resistance as I would want but you don't need heavy resistance to exercise plus it's already laying around in at place.

 

http://www.modells.com/product/strength_training_loops_3_pack-5860.do?sortby=bestSellers&from=Search

[Jaeger]

I've had the light and medium versions.  Both work well and have the handle and ring to simulate actual bows.

 

My only problem with them was, because of my short longbow drawlength of 25", I had to use the medium and then the heavy to get enough resistance.

 

But they do work well if you have a normal draw length.  The light is I think 10-30lbs the medimum 30-50 and the heavy 50-80lbs.

 

The big advantage is you don't have to worry about a dry fire if it slips out of you hands and you can let it "down" as fast or as slow as you wish.

 

Get the light or medimum for rehab work and I think you'll be happy.

 

I also purchase a black rhino 20 lb bow to practice form and to get in initial shape before the season.

[ATbuckhunter]

It seems the same as a resistance band. I have no doubt that it would work well. I personally would rather hit the gym and hit the muscles like that but I see nothing wrong with this. Get it as soon as possible so you can get those muscles back up. 

[dbHunterNY]

if you went through what you said with your shoulders and neck gaining strength back is only half of it.  from being laid up you probably lost range of motion.  so I'd work on that too.  googled PT exercises are fine just remember to not over do it.  Way back when I saw a PT doc.  he said slight soreness and aching might be fine but should go away after a couple hours or less.  discomfort should go away immediately or within 10 minutes.  if this isn't the case you're pushing too hard.

I think more people don't realize the damage they can do to there shoulders with a 70 lb bow even if they don't have difficulty drawing it.

 

[Nomad]

Ok I've had neck surgery and been to PT for my shoulders ,( two impingements, bone spurs and frozen shoulder ). I also just finished pt for a pinched nerve in my neck making my arm and hand numb as well as limited neck movement .

I would recommend seeing a PT to learn the correct exersizes and the correct form, weight ,amount, and order for you and your specific case.

Picking random movements off google or what others do could make it worse.

[dbHunterNY]

Ok I've had neck surgery and been to PT for my shoulders ,( two impingements, bone spurs and frozen shoulder ). I also just finished pt for a pinched nerve in my neck making my arm and hand numb as well as limited neck movement .

I would recommend seeing a PT to learn the correct exersizes and the correct form, weight ,amount, and order for you and your specific case.

Picking random movements off google or what others do could make it worse.

 

maybe I should've said it different.  I agree googling random PT exercises isn't a good idea in that context.  however, with his problems I'm sure he's already seen one for his specific issues.  if he's anything like the rest of us he's lost the papers explaining each exercise but still remembers the different types he did and for what.  googling them will kick the rust off the memory and make sure he's still going to do them right.

[dbHunterNY]

of course if he has good insurance and can go in for a PT consultation that'd be ideal.

[growalot]

As I've said I dislocate my shoulder a lot I have a condition that causes weak ligaments...thus all my injuries over the years...shoulder exercises are fine but  PT starts one out on 2-5# weights and work up ...it takes months...that said it isn't just the shoulder you have to have great chest and back strength as well...I have worked up to 70# cross overs and now my shoulder is feeling great!  I do curls and pull downs to build my arm muscles and I bench press 100#'s now with out even a twinge in the shoulder...took 6 months though. PT is slow and steady as the turtle to win the race.....

[The_Field_Ager]

 I have a condition that causes weak ligaments...

 

 

Get some Great lakes Gelatin in your diet. I bet you will see improvement. I add some to my morning coffee, ice-cream and most cooked meals. It helped me get over a serious tendon rupture once, and cured my post martial-arts knee injuries.

Edited July 16, 2015 by Papist

[firehunter48]

I agree with Googleing some exercises.

I think I am going to go over to cabelas this coming week and use that $20 gift card I've had hating around so it'll only cost me $10.

I can live with $10 to try something. If it doesnt work for me I can give it to the wife as a "gift"and tell her I was thinking of her when i seen it and wanted to help her build up her bow muscles so I could get her a new bow and get her out of that shitty alpine I made the mistake of buying her years ago

Win win right?

[dbHunterNY]

As I've said I dislocate my shoulder a lot I have a condition that causes weak ligaments...thus all my injuries over the years...shoulder exercises are fine but  PT starts one out on 2-5# weights and work up ...it takes months...that said it isn't just the shoulder you have to have great chest and back strength as well...I have worked up to 70# cross overs and now my shoulder is feeling great!  I do curls and pull downs to build my arm muscles and I bench press 100#'s now with out even a twinge in the shoulder...took 6 months though. PT is slow and steady as the turtle to win the race.....

 

I was in a car accident and then did something to messed up my release arm shoulder.  I saw a PT.  he and I were completely honest with one another.  he basically told me it might seem like little weight and not worth my time but to stay with it.  he said most think they're better and stop too early or push too much and do more harm than good.  I did exactly as he said.  I'm young at almost 32, but I went from not even moving a 60lb string to now I could pull more than 70lbs from the baddest speed bow out there if I wanted to.  no one is above an injury.