What do you do to stay fit for shooting?

[Eric fwb 65]

This is a subject which I have played around with for all of my competition shooting years and I have tried lots of different styles and volumes of training.

The accepted wisdom always seems to have been that a cardio based programme is preferable to a gym based weight training style. I must say that I have tried both and combinations of both with fairly equal success.

I have now, however , been training around 4 times per week at my local boxing gym and I can honestly say that I have never had more fitness, muscle control and stamina for shooting than I do now.

I realise that some (me included) would question how striking a heavy bag and focus mitts may have an effect on finger and knuckle joints but in reality I have had no such issue.

The additional benefit of self defence and confidence in the unexpected physical confrontation is a nice side effect too!

The benefits I have found to my shooting due to these factors have been very noticeable and has given me another fun and exciting sport to try.

I have even started a YouTube channel for boxing equipment, I love it so much.

Called ‘Boxing Superpower’ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...wTU-mbZrxXg4l9

How do you train?

[B&W FOX]

There's a book in the top post of this section . The thread is pinned .
The book was written by Robin on here. Well worth a read. Section on diets and fitness and match preparation.

[thirdwheel]

Interesting, yup boxing training has about everything including the psychology element you refer too and this cannot be over stated, well done. I'm not about to be picking up a set of gloves again any time soon but here is my regime:

I have a training partner for the cardio and core strength element, her name is Leo and is a 35KG Japanese Akita and we work out together 4 times a day come rain or shine, every day of the year, and we walk miles up and down hill and even trot now and then. For the strength to hold the pistol still I have found pressups actually work for me and I've tried most other things, I do 10 three times a day but do not do any a couple of days before a comp.

Robins book is doing well and he has some avid followers with improving scores the logic used has improved my pistol shooting too.

[deershooter]

Once won a NSRA gold medal for air rifle at the CLA game fair just had two venison burgers and 11 pints of Henery Wessons Cider !

[Caretaker]

I used to enjoy weight training but a heart attack in my 40's (15 years ago) put an end to it. With a damaged heart and stent I was told not to weight train anymore. I am fortunate that my job requires a lot of walking and I cover on average around seven miles a day, which is great exercise and I get paid for it. I am a member of a local Rifle & Pistol Club where I shoot rimfire Sports Rifle. I can't be too bad as I have won a few small medels for my efforts in the Summer and Winter leagues. About 18 months ago I started airsoft skirmishing. I carry a fully kitted out tactical vest, five M4 mags, gas bottles, two holsterd pistols and a full metal airsoft rifle all day. Usually go twice a month. I can beat people 10 years younger than my self up grassy hills. I can also beat them down the hills and that's running not falling ;-). All this exercise means I am nearly two stone lighter than I was a few year ago and I am haveing a great time :-)

[I. J.]

I get enough exercise pushing my luck and jumping to conclusions.

[zooma]

I have enjoyed a strict routine of drinking good quality ale every evening and find it to be very helpful

I never drink before I shoot, seldom drink anything alcoholic during the day, and usually only drink a bottle of beer in the evening, but like any healthy fitness plan it is important to change things around a little to prevent any "staleness" creeping into the routine, so in summer months I have found it beneficial to drink Thatchers cider as an alternative !

This demanding schedule needs to be maintained to get the most benefits (including lower blood pressure!), but not overdone, as like all other fitness regimes, over-training can have a negative result.

Some exercises and fitness schedules need expensive equipment (such as weights or cycles etc), i only need a modest bottle opener, and I bought a nice vintage one at a car boot sale for 50p, and I have been using if for years already. It has no signs of wear and tear and should give several more years of good service before needing replacement.

I should add that my routine ( like many others!!!) has not helped my shooting at all (and probably hasn't hindered it much either), but like every other fitness and/or exercise/diet routine, they will suite some people better than others and everyone should be carefully assessed before starting any new fitness program to ensure than any underlining health issues, age and weight etc are all considered carefully before starting on something that may not work for them.

....an ambulance driver once reported that he regularly picks up joggers - people that were jogging in the hope that it would improve their health, but sadly died in the process. A sobering thought of the most extreme example of some exercises not being suitable for everyone, but it makes the point that it is unwise to jump straight into any new exercise without taking advice on its suitability for the individual and to gently build-up the work rate to allow the body to get used to what may well be a new form of stress that it has not previously experienced on a repeated and regular basis.

If exercising makes you feel better, then you will be able to concentrate better too and this can only help your shooting!

[gordon]

I find lugging all my Benchrest kit in and out of the car / range and walking 100m several times briskly a session to change targets certainly increases my HR somewhat .
Add to that having to change the bench tops over (about 30kgs) I think I get plenty of exercise for my age .
We've just had a de-fib machine supplied and all range officers are trained to use It and are also first aiders , so I should be ok if I over do it, as long as my subs are up to date !

[KeithW]

I'd say it depends on what type of shooting you are doing. For many people standing and kneeling shots can be most challenging, so I'd say anything that strengthens your core. Personally, as an older shooter with arthritis in my hips and shoulders, and a bad back I think Pilates is absolutely superb. My core is stronger than it has ever been and my flexibility (given the shit state of my joints and spine) is good; I knock over free-standers on an HFT course fairly regularly with my TX200 which weighs in at 13lb.

[cooper_dan]

Interesting thread for me as I've recently started a new fitness drive for my HFT shooting. I'm making it up as I go along really, seeing what feels good and what doesn't.

For cardio i started running 2 or 3 times a week, but now the days are getting shorter this is transitioning into using a rowing machine.
For strength its bodyweight stuff. Mainly pushups/planks and chin ups/leg raises. My theory is that shoulder, back and core strength are going to be most beneficial (i shoot a springer from the shoulder, so none of the weight is rested on the ground).
And then I'm trying to do 3 sessions a week at the range doing unsupported standing and kneeling shots. Each card has 5 targets, and 10 shots per target is 150 unsupported shots a week. Doesn't sound like much but with an HFT setup (custom stock and decent size scope) its adding up.

[mmamonster]

Been boxing and training for about 30 years now 3 times a week, 3 4 mile runs a week also helps me stay in shape.
If your body feals good your mind will too, thats how i think.
Atb

[BigEars]

I have enjoyed a strict routine of drinking good quality ale every evening and find it to be very helpful

I never drink before I shoot, seldom drink anything alcoholic during the day, and usually only drink a bottle of beer in the evening, but like any healthy fitness plan it is important to change things around a little to prevent any "staleness" creeping into the routine, so in summer months I have found it beneficial to drink Thatchers cider as an alternative !

This demanding schedule needs to be maintained to get the most benefits (including lower blood pressure!), but not overdone, as like all other fitness regimes, over-training can have a negative result.

Some exercises and fitness schedules need expensive equipment (such as weights or cycles etc), i only need a modest bottle opener, and I bought a nice vintage one at a car boot sale for 50p, and I have been using if for years already. It has no signs of wear and tear and should give several more years of good service before needing replacement.

I should add that my routine ( like many others!!!) has not helped my shooting at all (and probably hasn't hindered it much either), but like every other fitness and/or exercise/diet routine, they will suite some people better than others and everyone should be carefully assessed before starting any new fitness program to ensure than any underlining health issues, age and weight etc are all considered carefully before starting on something that may not work for them.

....an ambulance driver once reported that he regularly picks up joggers - people that were jogging in the hope that it would improve their health, but sadly died in the process. A sobering thought of the most extreme example of some exercises not being suitable for everyone, but it makes the point that it is unwise to jump straight into any new exercise without taking advice on its suitability for the individual and to gently build-up the work rate to allow the body to get used to what may well be a new form of stress that it has not previously experienced on a repeated and regular basis.

If exercising makes you feel better, then you will be able to concentrate better too and this can only help your shooting!

If you ever think of having a training camp, let me know.

[zooma]

If you ever think of having a training camp, let me know.

My own intensive training camp program usually start towards the end of December each year and run's into January after which it tends to taper off a little and slowly resumes back to its regular programme as detailed in my thread!

There can be regional exceptions however, and I am aware that in Scotland this regime may not start until the last night in December but can run (with some enthusiasm) at a slightly higher level than my own (strictly controlled) training program right through until the end of the following December when it starts all over again!

You would be most welcome to join me at the start of my next training camp this December. We meet in the RMTC club range and then move on to rather more specialised local establishments that have all the facilities needed to maintain the levels of training needed.

[Benelli B76]

I have changed my mind about exercising after watching my dad. It depends what your goal is. If it is to extend your life, I think it is a waste of time and effort. My dad is 96, still living in his own house, I have never seen him do any exercise, no jogging, not even long walks. All the keep fit people around him have long gone. His favourite food is crisps and chocolate, his drink is Pepsi Max and Cocoa.

Baz

[zooma]

I have changed my mind about exercising after watching my dad. It depends what your goal is. If it is to extend your life, I think it is a waste of time and effort. My dad is 96, still living in his own house, I have never seen him do any exercise, no jogging, not even long walks. All the keep fit people around him have long gone. His favourite food is crisps and chocolate, his drink is Pepsi Max and Cocoa.

Baz

An interesting observation Baz!

Your dads alternative fitness regime also looks very good to me!

Bob.