Premier League transfer windows, coverage of the Olympics, even the kids’ school football matches - all of them can make it seem like sport is a young person’s game. Turning up to an archery range, on the other hand, can give you a fresh perspective on things. Youngsters imitating their heroes of the big screen, young men and women preparing for competitions, and adults of all walks of life alternating between quietly developing their skills and sharing in the healthy atmosphere of a community of friends.
There are no upper age limits on shooting arrows from a bow. As with the other important things - and people - in our lives, our relationship with archery will change over time, allowing it to continue bringing us pleasure. ****
INCLUSIVITY IN ARCHERY
Although archery can be a competitive sport, it involves no direct contact or interaction with other competitors. This means that the limiting factors on performance are all personal, and can be controlled or influenced by each archer. An easy change to make is in the draw weight of a bow - that’s the force which is required to pull the bowstring back - while modern compound bows have variable draw weights. The shooting distance and type of target that are used can also be changed in relation to strength and eyesight.
There are many more examples of changes that can be made to the equipment and range configuration of archery which can bring in people of all types, children and individuals with limited mobility as well as more mature shooters.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Regularly practising archery brings a host of physical benefits that should make it a tempting pastime for almost anyone to take up. Shooting properly involves holding a balanced, upright posture for up to half a minute at a time, extending the shoulders and limbs of the upper body and using the muscles powerfully and precisely.
These actions, when repeated time and again, do wonders for both strength and mobility, whilst burning calories and giving the body a light cardio workout. On top of that, it’s a low-impact exercise that involves no running, jumping, or sudden movement (apart from releasing the bowstring with the fingers of one hand) making it suitbale for people wiht tyoes of arthritis. Finally, you’ll find your step count going up and up without you even noticing as you spend a couple of hours walking to and from the target to retrieve your arrows!
ARCHERY AND THE BRAIN
Successful shooting depends not only on strength, but mental fortitude. Focus and concentration are two of the abilities that people who take up archery see the most obvious improvements in, both on the range and in their daily lives. Some people also report benefits to their memory and recall skills.
Another huge boost comes in the form of confidence and self-esteem. Archery was notably used in the rehabilitation of injured and shell-shocked soldiers during the Second World War at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. The games that were held here eventually went on to become the modern Paralympic Games, one of the most empowering sporting occasions for people with disabilities and physcial limitations on Earth.
THE SOCIAL SIDE
What’s the point in becoming stronger, smarter and more confident if you can’t show it off? The social life of the archer will give you a lot of opportunities to do just that. Once you’ve taken a beginner’s course and got the hang of the sport, you can become a part of your local archery club - there are hundreds of them all around the UK. Most clubs shoot once or twice a week throughout the year and host competitions and events on a regular basis. Membership cuts across generations in a way that isn’t found in most other sports, so club archery is a fantastic way to broaden your social circle and spend time with a wide variety of people.
Apart from club shooting, there are archery competitions, training, historical reenactment and more that you can get involved with. Let your bow and arrow be the key the unlocks a world of opportunity!
Check out our guide to archery in the UK to learn more and to find taster sessions, beginner’s courses and other archery experiences in your local area. Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions!
