Bow ProShop
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Selecting a Draw Weight
Selecting a Draw Weight
There are several factors to consider here, beyond just brute strength. First and foremost, we
strongly recommend that you choose a draw weight that is COMFORTABLE for you and suitable for
your particular purpose. Particularly for the purposes of recreational archery, a bow with too much
draw weight will simply make you less successful and the sport less enjoyable. A good rule-of-thumb
is to choose a draw weight that requires about 75% of your "maximum" strength. If your bow is too
heavy, and you can only shoot a few times before you're fatigued, then you'll be reluctant to practice
and improve your game. But you also want your bow to shoot with as much speed and power as
possible, so you shouldn't choose too little weight either. Again, the right balance between comfort
and performance - for YOU - will probably be at your "75%" mark.
Heavy Draw Weights
If drawing your new bow makes you appear to be on the verge of a hemorrhage, it's unlikely you're
going to enjoy the sport. While most of us guys understand the importance of preserving machismo,
the truth is, shooting too much draw weight won't provide any benefits at all. Some compound bows
are actually available up to a 100# draw weight. And while there may be some specific applications
where such a bow may be necessary (African big-game hunting perhaps), for the vast majority of
bowhunting and recreational archery applications, a super-heavyweight bow is completely
unnecessary (commonly referred to as being "over-bowed").
All things in Moderation
However, you may not want to choose an excessively light draw weight either (being "under-bowed").
Heavier draw weights will undoubtedly yield better kinetic energy (penetration) and quicker arrow
velocities with less parabolic arc in flight. In fact, some states require a compound bow to meet
certain draw weight minimums in order to hunt large game like Whitetail Deer. Check with your
state's governing agencies, and always observe the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game
in your state.
The "archery muscles" used to draw a bow are primarily large muscle groups in your upper back (the
same muscles you use to row a boat or pull-start a lawn mower). Most people don't specifically
work to exercise these muscles. So you will probably find that once you do put them to work, your
"archery muscles" will gain strength quickly and drawing your bow will become easier over time.
Fortunately, most bows come with at least 10 lbs. of draw weight adjustment. So if you are a new
shooter, you may wish to begin with your bow set at a lower draw weight - and gradually "crank-up"
the draw weight as you become more conditioned.
General Recommendations
Here are some general guidelines for choosing an appropriate draw weight. Of course, each
individual is different. You should apply your common sense here and interpret this chart with due
respect to your own age, general physical condition, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Recommended Draw Weight Ranges (Modern Compound Bows)
Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs.
Small Child (70-100 lbs.) 15-25 lbs.
Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs.
Athletic Older Child (Boys 130-150 lbs.) 40-50 lbs.
Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) 55-65 lbs.
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) 65-75 lbs.
Note: Not all bows are created equal regarding draw weights. High-performance compound bows
with hard-cams and high IBO speeds will "feel" as if they are heavier, since the bow's powercurve is
more aggressive (ramping to peak weight more quickly and letting-off later). Bows with
round-wheels or soft-draw cams will similarly "feel" a little lighter, as the bow's powercurve is
smoother and more gradual.
Please email us: admin@bowproshop.com if you have other questions regarding draw weight or
length. We will be glad to assist you in any way we can.
There are several factors to consider here, beyond just brute strength. First and foremost, we
strongly recommend that you choose a draw weight that is COMFORTABLE for you and suitable for
your particular purpose. Particularly for the purposes of recreational archery, a bow with too much
draw weight will simply make you less successful and the sport less enjoyable. A good rule-of-thumb
is to choose a draw weight that requires about 75% of your "maximum" strength. If your bow is too
heavy, and you can only shoot a few times before you're fatigued, then you'll be reluctant to practice
and improve your game. But you also want your bow to shoot with as much speed and power as
possible, so you shouldn't choose too little weight either. Again, the right balance between comfort
and performance - for YOU - will probably be at your "75%" mark.
Heavy Draw Weights
If drawing your new bow makes you appear to be on the verge of a hemorrhage, it's unlikely you're
going to enjoy the sport. While most of us guys understand the importance of preserving machismo,
the truth is, shooting too much draw weight won't provide any benefits at all. Some compound bows
are actually available up to a 100# draw weight. And while there may be some specific applications
where such a bow may be necessary (African big-game hunting perhaps), for the vast majority of
bowhunting and recreational archery applications, a super-heavyweight bow is completely
unnecessary (commonly referred to as being "over-bowed").
All things in Moderation
However, you may not want to choose an excessively light draw weight either (being "under-bowed").
Heavier draw weights will undoubtedly yield better kinetic energy (penetration) and quicker arrow
velocities with less parabolic arc in flight. In fact, some states require a compound bow to meet
certain draw weight minimums in order to hunt large game like Whitetail Deer. Check with your
state's governing agencies, and always observe the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game
in your state.
The "archery muscles" used to draw a bow are primarily large muscle groups in your upper back (the
same muscles you use to row a boat or pull-start a lawn mower). Most people don't specifically
work to exercise these muscles. So you will probably find that once you do put them to work, your
"archery muscles" will gain strength quickly and drawing your bow will become easier over time.
Fortunately, most bows come with at least 10 lbs. of draw weight adjustment. So if you are a new
shooter, you may wish to begin with your bow set at a lower draw weight - and gradually "crank-up"
the draw weight as you become more conditioned.
General Recommendations
Here are some general guidelines for choosing an appropriate draw weight. Of course, each
individual is different. You should apply your common sense here and interpret this chart with due
respect to your own age, general physical condition, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Recommended Draw Weight Ranges (Modern Compound Bows)
Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs.
Small Child (70-100 lbs.) 15-25 lbs.
Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs.
Athletic Older Child (Boys 130-150 lbs.) 40-50 lbs.
Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) 55-65 lbs.
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) 65-75 lbs.
Note: Not all bows are created equal regarding draw weights. High-performance compound bows
with hard-cams and high IBO speeds will "feel" as if they are heavier, since the bow's powercurve is
more aggressive (ramping to peak weight more quickly and letting-off later). Bows with
round-wheels or soft-draw cams will similarly "feel" a little lighter, as the bow's powercurve is
smoother and more gradual.
Please email us: admin@bowproshop.com if you have other questions regarding draw weight or
length. We will be glad to assist you in any way we can.
Copyright @2006 Bow ProShop.com
