What is my Draw Weight
A draw weight does not mean the maximum weight you can possibly draw back, your draw weight has to be comfortable and suitable for the particular archery purpose you intend to pursue.
With recreational archery if you choose a bow with too much draw weight you will undoubtedly be less successful and you will probably not enjoy the sport as much as you could. Fatigue will set in very quickly if the bow you are using is too heavy, as a result you probably will be put off practicing.
It is generally acknowledged that about 75% of your maximum strength is a good draw weight.
As well as not wanting your draw weight to be too heavy you also don’t want your draw weight to be too light. If your bow weight is too light you will not be shooting with as much power and speed as possible.
Heavy Draw Weights
Draw weights that are too heavy for you are often referred to as “over bowed” if you are 5 foot 5 and have a bow that only Arnold Schwarzenegger in his heyday can draw back it’s not going to be any benefit at all.
Light Draw Weights
Excessively light draw weights are often referred to as being “under bowed”. You do not want to be under bowed either, as heavier draw weights yield better kinetic energy (penetration) and quicker arrow speeds.
If you intend hunting some states require a compound bow be a minimum draw weight in order to hut large game.
The muscles that you use when drawing your bow will, in time, get stronger and make drawing your bow easier. Most bows have a draw weight adjustment of at least 10lbs so if you are a new archer, you can always begin with your bow weight set lower and progressively increase it as increase it as you get more conditioned.
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 then gradually increase the draw weight as you become more conditioned.
General Recommendations
Below we have listed some general guidelines for appropriate draw weight. Every person is not the same so you will need to employ some common sense when interpreting these guidelines, taking into consideration to your physical fitness and age.
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:
Bows with soft draw cams or round wheels will feel a bit lighter because the power curve is more gradual and smoother. On the other hand high performance compound bows with high IBO speeds and hard cams will feel heavier because the power curve is more aggressive.
