# Strength building question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 3, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102 "2019-08-03T04:01:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/1 "2019-08-03T04:01:40Z")
I have an archery event coming up in 30 days. The past two years I have really let down on my activities and have lost about 30% of my bow drawing ability. I should have started training earlier but I am starting now. I need to get about 10% stronger in less than 30 days. Is this realistic? I don’t plan on lifting weights or anything, just shooting bows as I will be doing in the event. One of the guys who is into physical training quite a bit had mentioned a couple of years ago to find a bow weight that I could draw and hold for 5 seconds and then do this at least a dozen times a day. And then do a couple dozen more regular shots. So this is what I am planning to do. The bow weight I can do this with is 6# lighter than I will be shooting in the event. I need to add about 5# to my strength. I also started doing a few push ups which was very hard. 10 years ago I could still do 40 now 10 was a struggle. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/2 "2019-08-03T04:23:08Z")
I’d say “maybe.” A lot depends on how close you are to your genetic limits, and how old you are. If you were 20, it would be a lot easier than at age 60. If you eat well - giving yourself a slight calorie surplus, I think your training idea could work. Keep a record of your results - instead of just drawing the bow and holding it for a fixed number of times, try to increase this number each time (if you do 12 the first day, try 13 the next). I’d also give yourself a few days of rest before the event. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/3 "2019-08-03T04:27:50Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I’d say “maybe.” > A lot depends on how close you are to your genetic limits, and how old you are. If you were 20, it would be a lot easier than at age 60. > If you eat well - giving yourself a slight calorie surplus, I think your training idea could work. Keep a record of your results - instead of just drawing the bow and holding it for a fixed number of times, try to increase this number each time (if you do 12 the first day, try 13 the next). > I’d also give yourself a few days of rest before the event. 70 now, genetically I have always been very strong but started noticing more rapid declines in my sixties. In my forties I was drawing double what I can draw now and I wasn’t even training. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/4 "2019-08-03T04:35:41Z")
I think you will know pretty quickly if the regimen is working - good luck! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/5 "2019-08-24T21:46:28Z")
How’s the progress? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2019, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/6 "2019-08-24T22:21:59Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > How’s the progress? Thanks for asking. I got lucky, it seemed to come back sufficiently after only about a week. Not as strong as I was but strong enough to pull what I need to pull. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/7 "2019-08-25T00:21:26Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Thanks for asking. I got lucky, it seemed to come back sufficiently after only about a week. Not as strong as I was but strong enough to pull what I need to pull. Glad to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-building-question/838102/8 "2019-08-25T00:26:36Z")
I am curious ------ what/which events and what draw weight are you shooting?