Anyone spend time stretching before a practice with the bow?

Got some good stretches with just a 5' piece of PVC I learned and it limbers up tight shoulder pretty well. Just wondering if anyone else might do same.

I also practice cold turkey too, I know very well your not stretching in a tree stand as a deer walks in before the shot!! Just feel for a general yard shooting at 43 I am trying to take care of my shoulders long as possible! Wish I had paid more attention to them when I was younger but hindsight is always.....

Jason,

would you mind telling me how you do your PVC stretches? I'm curious.  I have a  shoulder that is starting to act up and anything I can do to prolong shooting trad bows is a  good thing.

Let me see if I can google them up, they are simple. Or I will take pics and get to you.

http://youtu.be/PhPzc4hCtBc

Well this is a "cross fit" video some folks like CF some can't stand it but disregard. Anywhoo the first TWO stretches are awesome and then skip to 4:53 and try that one. They are not really a CF thing but PTherapy thing.

The rest is cross fit stuff and I wouldn't try it unless you go to cross fit cause it is a "form" thing! Bad form will get you hurt in squats and overhead Movements.

The stretches are simple and they do limber up tight muscles. hopefully keep us folks in the field til we are 100 shooting 90# re curves!

Just watched the first minute or so of that video. I'm 72 and have no doubt that if I tried that first shoulder stretching exercise, I could kiss my trad shooting days goodbye. I do warm up before shooting, most days anyway, by simply drawing my bow a little farther from brace gradually from zero to full draw in small increments with some downtime in between each longer pull. As far as hunting situations are concerned, I will draw the bow occasionally after ascertaining, as best I can, that there are no critters nearby to catch the movement. So far, so good. Pulled muscles ain't no fun.

I have been bothered for decades. Joined a gym and concentrate on shoulder push pull routines. Voila, pains are almost gone now.

QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Jason,

would you mind telling me how you do your PVC stretches? I'm curious.  I have a  shoulder that is starting to act up and anything I can do to prolong shooting trad bows is a  good thing.

Google - PVC Shoulder dislocates.  If you can do them fully, great.  If not, just go until you feel a good stretch and hold it for 10-15 seconds.  Really a great stretch and a good way to get your shoulders loose for lifting, shooting, etc.  

Also check out some shoulder prehab (not rehab) videos.  Keeps you from needing the rehab!  Well that is unless it is an injury rather than over use.

I almost always do a simple, 5 minute stretch of arms and neck, prior to shooting.

Isometrics.  I don't want or need a contraption when simple stretches work fine.

A pre stretch goes a long way in limbering up before shooting.

I usually warm up by pulling my bow to about 1/3 draw several times, then 1/2 draw for several repetitions. Finally, I pull to full draw, which I hold for 8 to 10 seconds. I do this about 10 times. Maybe a few more if its cold.

Well no one do anything that will get ya hurt!    :D  I just posted a little what I do, not saying that IS the way! Just my way.

Right now I'll do my PVC thing, stretch a little with the bow, 1/2 draw each arm a couple times.

Warm up/limber up is all.

Shoot straight

J

Thank you for the suggestions and videos.

Here's my favorite chest/shoulder stretch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ooIhKYs7c

It seems really simple, but if you focus on keeping your arms completely against the wall it's a great stretch. I had shoulder surgery in 2008 and if it's feeling tight a lot of stretches actually make it worse. I find this helps.