How to Improve Your Draw Strength For Bow Hunting 

If you’re an archer, you know that a solid draw and anchor are vital to accuracy. Before muscle fatigue sets in, or shoulder aches and pains begin to plague you, take some time to strengthen these pillars of your bow and aim. 

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Practicing your bow draw and aim will build muscle memory, making it easier to improve your strength over the years. It will also help keep your back and shoulders healthy, as the muscles that draw a bow are often prone to injury. 

Improving your draw strength is a slow process that requires patience and consistency. By increasing your draw weight gradually, you will be able to avoid injuries and get the most out of your archery exercises. 

To increase your draw weight, start by shooting a target several times a week. This will allow you to shoot lots of arrows in a short amount of time and will help your muscles become used to drawing your bow. 

Your draw weight will affect how much force you can use to pull an arrow back, which affects the speed of your arrow and how accurate it is down range. Increasing your draw weight will give you more “oomph” in every shot and make bowhunting more fun. 

1. Exercise the core 

Your core is your foundation, and a strong one can help you stay upright while shooting. This will keep you stable while aiming and ensure that your form is correct. You can do a lot of work on your core with simple exercises, such as the plank. 

2. Exercise the legs 

Using squats and lunges is an effective way to condition your legs. Performing this exercise multiple times a week will also increase your strength and stamina, which will also help you improve your draw weight. 

3. Improve your anchor 

A good anchor point is a place where your chin, thumb, or index finger can be pressed into the bow. This will provide a natural point of impact for your arrow, and it will align your aiming eye with the bowstring. Choosing the best anchor point for you will depend on your preferred method of release, but more or less it should be in line with your chin and slightly below it. 

4. Improve your pin movement 

Your pin should move gently and firmly within the center of your arrow’s flight path. A draw length that is too long can cause your pin to move in wide, slow arches or sporadic, fast movements. 

5. Focus on a specific archery muscle group 

The shoulder, upper back, and rotator cuff are the most important muscles to strengthen for drawing and anchoring your bow. You can focus on these areas in your workouts, or you can simply practice focusing on these muscles as you draw and aim your bow. 

6. Develop a comfortable anchor 

A draw that is too long can cause your limbs to become strained, which will result in poor accuracy and potential injuries. This is especially true for compound bows that can be very heavy.