Homemade Archery Trainers

[fords4life]

After searching, I've seen a bunch of folks that have built their own trainers for release training and also for strength training. No real threads with details or photos though. Have a few ideas in my head, but would like to see what others have built and their pros/cons. Could be a great thread for future newbs like me to reference too. If you have links to the materials you used post those too.

 

[madgrad02]

Just a 6" piece of PVC, a length of paracord measured out to match my draw length, and a D-loop. Far from perfect, but works well enough to practice when I can't get out. I had some rotator cuff issues in my bow (arm) shoulder, so drawing the weight really of my compound hurt towards the end of the season last year. I can take a pic when I get home, but simple enough concept to get the idea.

 

[bojangles808]

i tried the md 50 shot trainer but i think its improtant to get something with tension when drawing with a hinge so ive stuck with the saunders firing line.

 

[nphunter]

I just use a piece of paracord with a couple of loops tied in it and put one loop around my bow hand and use the other to fire from. A piece of PVC or wood would work too and probably be better but I’ve just used the cord and it works well.
Slow controlled push ups work well to build back muscles. You can also do reverse pushups if you have a railing somewhere you can hang under and pull yourself up toward it. Like a pull up but your feet are out at a 45 or further. You could even use a kitchen table if yours is sturdy enough, lay under it, reach up and crab the side and pull yourself up. Think about pulling up with your back muscles and think about using those same muscles when drawing a bow.
Keeping your elbow below your shoulder level when drawing helps isolate your larger back muscles and keeps you from using your smaller shoulder muscles. Buying a cheap light draw recurve from a yard sale of the classifieds is also a great tool to build muscles, just make sure it’s light, a 50lb recurve is much harder to draw back than a 70lb compound.

 

[redtail]

also resistance bands tied to draw length.