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Enjoying archery practice as a family sport in 2022

archery practice

Do something as a family that builds relationships and keeps you fit

Archery is a great family sport because it teaches children patience, focus, and discipline. You can do it anywhere, anytime, and it’s fun! There are many types of bows, but you don’t need to spend thousands of pounds to get started and the benefits you and your family could get mean this will be a lifelong sport and family activity you will want to return to time and time again. 

This month, Chiltern Archery look and how you can get into archery practice as a family sport, what you will need to consider and the benefits that this newfound activity could bring to you all. Chiltern Archery is a specialist archery centre based in Buckland. With an indoor and outdoor range, we have ample space for you and your family to get to grips with archery practice and our shop has everything you could need to get fully kitted out. 

Health benefits of archery practice

Archery is a fantastic sport that offers various health benefits to any who practice – young or older. Regardless of age, disability or gender, archery practice can offer a host of physical and mental health benefits. This sport needs concentration, control and focus – exercising your mind and helping with patience and determination. Successfully hitting your target releases a burst of happiness, whilst failure to hit the target gives you the chance to reevaluate your stance, posture and how you are aiming your bow. 

Archery is an exercise that requires short bursts of energy involving your core muscles – archery practice helps to work and improve your core muscles including your chest, arms and upper back. The more your shoot your bow, the harder these muscles work and strengthen. Other muscles that get a workout are your legs and surprisingly your fingers! Practising archery as a family can also bring you a host of benefits, including bringing your family together as a team. 

The benefits of archery practice as a family sport 

Play year-round – with no seasonal strings attached to archery practice, you and the family can attend your local range all year round (providing they have indoor and outdoor space). Shoot indoors during the winter months and hone in on your accuracy skills. Move outdoors in the summer months to get to grips with different surroundings and how the wind affects your shooting. 

Reduce injury potential – archery is a sport that is more about concentration and precision rather than high energy, endorphin inducing exercise. For this reason, once you have learnt to shoot your arrows safely and effectively, the risk of injury is lower than other activities such as running or climbing. Ensure you are wearing your armguard when releasing your arrows to prevent catching your arm on your string! 

Learn and play as a team – there is nothing better than learning to do something as a family, cheering each other on when you succeed in hitting your target and giving each other pointers for correct stance and posture. Learning archery practice together means you will all become knowledgeable quickly and the family will benefit from playing a team sport. 

No age limits – archery is one of the few sports that doesn’t have an age limit! Start as early as you are able to – safely of course – and keep going until you are happy to hang up your bow once and for all. This is a great family sport as it welcomes all ages along – meaning no one gets left out. 

Solidify your relationship and make memories – one of the most important things for families is having a solid relationship. Making memories is just as important so you can look back and laugh at funny times, reminisce and share with extended family. Archery practice is a great way to build your relationships and to create memories. 

This may also interest you:

Get fit in 2022 with your favourite archery hobby

Maintaining your archery bow for ultimate performance

The benefits of private archery tuition with Chiltern Archery

Join Chiltern Archery as a family and practice together this year

Chiltern Archery is a family run business that has been supporting archers with their practice, purchases and competitions since 1963. We have a lot of experience in archery and our mission is to provide a first-class service to everyone who walks through the doors, whether that’s someone who has never picked up a bow before, to those who are seasoned archers who need replacement parts for their bow. 

Our group coaching sessions are perfect for families who want to learn the sport together, and our trainers are experts in the field so you can have peace of mind that no matter the ages of your group, you will all learn how to safely handle and successfully shoot your bow over time. Archery is quick to learn but takes a long time to perfect and with Chiltern Archery supporting you through your archery practice journey, you can be sure that you will pick up techniques and skills that will help you become a better archer. 

We look forward to seeing you and your family at Chiltern Archery soon! Give us a call to book an appointment or book a group coaching session through our website. 

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Get fit in 2022 with your favourite archery hobby

Archery hobby

There are incredible health and wellness benefits to taking up archery in 2022

Its January. The time of year where many of us are looking to find a new sport or hobby where we can let off some steam, get fit and socialise at the same time. Whilst there are not many sports that will allow you to accomplish all three, archery is something that sets itself apart. The health benefits of archery are often overlooked or not thought of, but Chiltern Archery is here to give you a full low down of just how much archery could benefit you in 2022. 

This month, we take a look at not only the health benefits of archery but how it can positively impact your mental health. Chiltern Archery are your local archery specialists in Buckinghamshire. 

5 health benefits of an archery hobby

Calorie loss

Archery is a great way of burning calories without even thinking about it. The time spent walking to collect arrows, using muscles and building strength can all support burning calories and practising your technique at the same time. 

Hand-eye coordination

Steps required to make a good shot include combining to form a high-performance routine. This routine must then become ingrained into your muscle memory and subconscious. You need to coordinate many things at once and you have very little room for error. Your coordination will become almost automatic.

Balance improvement 

Archery is an activity that requires concentration and discipline. This helps people in other aspects of their lives as well. Part of this concentration will also support balance improvement, as you need to be perfectly still in order to shoot with accuracy and perfection. 

Muscle strengthening

Drawing a bow causes tension in the chest, arms, and large upper back muscles. These muscles strengthen when you draw a bow continuously. Rotator cuff muscles also get stronger by doing this exercise.

Patience and calming 

One of the best assets an archer can have is to remain patient and calm when firing an arrow from their bow. Managing their breathing, concentration and any trepidation they may have just before they let their arrow fly. This is a great transferrable skill, particularly if you have a demanding career that needs you to remain calm under pressure. 

Surprising exercises you complete when you are using your archery bow

People who stay inside too long may feel restless and bored. Archery is a great sport because it gets people out into the sunlight and fresh air. It also helps them relax and improve their physical fitness. There are a surprising number of exercises archers complete without even thinking about it. 

  • Upper back and shoulder – Drawing the bow
  • Upper and lower shoulders – Supporting the draw arm 
  • Arm muscles – Extending the bow arm 
  • Finger muscles – Holding the bowstring

Arms, shoulders, back, core and legs are some of the muscles that archers engage when they are shooting. Not only are the larger muscles working, but due to the minute movements taken to readjust positions and relax into the bow. Holding the correct position requires an immense amount of control in order to get a consistent and regular shot. Walking to and from the target is also a way of getting your daily step count in!

Enjoy a healthy mind when you start an archery hobby in 2022

As you will have read in the health benefits above, archery can have a hugely positive impact on your mental health as well as your physical health. Studies have shown that archery has an impact on managing stress levels, proving it’s a sport that helps you relax. Practising breathing techniques and focus is a big part of archery technique and these skills can be transferred into everyday life. Maintaining calm and focus during a big meeting or stressful situation at work will keep a person mentally happy and healthy. 

Not only is archery a great way to learn calming techniques, but being able to release some pent up energy when you are in front of an archery target can be incredibly cathartic. Many archers will use their archery time as a way to let off stress and anger. Another great mental health benefit of archery is the social aspect it brings. There arent many sports you will find that allows you to stand next to an elite or a beginner and still shoot, let alone make friendships with those in the same club as you. 

This may also interest you: 

Maintaining your archery bow for ultimate performance

The benefits of private archery tuition with Chiltern Archery

Choosing the best arrows for your local archery range

Book your private tuition with Chiltern Archery in 2022

If you’re looking for the perfect combination of fitness, friendship and motivation this year, look no further than taking up an archery hobby. Chiltern Archery, based in Buckland have the ultimate space for you to hone and improve your skills, meet like-minded archers and choose from indoor and outdoor shooting ranges. Our archery shop is stocked with the latest equipment and all you could need to start your archery journey. 

Why not try archery before you commit to purchasing the equipment by taking up some private tuition to learn more about the sport and how it could benefit you? Chiltern Archery has a team of expert trainers who would be more than happy to support you with finding your feet in the world of archery and we can guarantee, it will soon become your favourite pastime.