Archery is a type of sport that is designed for people of all ages. It's a sport that requires lots of focus, control and physical determination, and it's also considered a form of exercise. Practice shows that in this sport, archers are in need of shorter bursts of energy from the core muscles, and the sole act of drawing the bow puts additional tension in the hands, arm, chest and upper back muscles as well. And, these repetitive movements in this position only lead to muscle strengthening.
Because this type of sport requires lots of concentration, thanks to it, you'll learn to maintain focus and learn to deal with any possible distractions like noise, wind, etc. Thanks to this, you'll be able to have greater control over other things in life from which you can benefit a lot.
Even though archery seems like a pretty straightforward type of sport, the truth is that in order to perfect it, you'll need to stock yourself with a lot of patience. Although fun in most times, archery can be frustrating especially when you start missing your goals, which is why it's said that archery will help you learn to become more patient. Rushing things won't bring you any good, so being patient will not only make you a better archer, but it'll also help you obtain more patience with every other thing in your life.
Staying calm and focused under pressure is an ability that archers develop over time and they do that by learning to manage their breathing and concentration. Thanks to this, they'll reduce their nervousness and will become better at achieving their goals. So, if you're a beginner who's just starting to dive into the waters of this sport, then you should certainly stock yourself with the most basic pieces of archery equipment.
Type of Equipment
Archery is a type of sport that is performed with a variety of archery equipment out of which the arrow and bow are among the most essential types. Generally speaking, they should be accompanied by a range of other accessories which are considered fundamental in order to become a successful archer even if you don't pretend to become a professional one.
Arrows
Archery arrows represent long rods with a sharp pointed tip at the front and a feather-like attachment on the back. Usually, most of them are mainly made from carbon fiber since this is a material that's almost impossible to bend or crack. However, it isn't strange to see some of them made from aluminum, fiberglass and even wood.
Bows
Just like arrows, bows are another type of essential equipment that should be chosen wisely. The main purpose of bows is to hold the arrow in place before being shot. The bow is designed to be gripped with your non-shooting hand so you can properly aim at the chosen target. There are two main types of bows from which you can choose: recurve bows and compound bows. The former bows form an arch that is designed to extend away from the archer while the compound type of bows have rigid shafts with a low-situated notch that are designed to rest the arrow atop. If not sure what to choose, it would be best to consult with a professional in order to make the right choice.
Chest Guards
As the name suggests, these guards are designed to protect the chest area in case of misfire results where the arrow or string comes in contact with the body. These guards are designed to be worn all the time when practising archery and should be fastened around the body with the help of an adjustable strap. For greater protection, this guard is designed to extend from the archer's non-dominant shoulder to the pectoral muscle.
Arm Guards
These guards are designed to be attached to the forearm area or just below the elbow. This guard should be worn on the shooting hand and is also considered a vital piece of safety equipment since they are designed to protect you from bruises or some other major injuries that can happen as a result of backlash when shooting with the bow.
Gloves
Last but not least type of equipment for archery is gloves. According to professionals, the gloves are of great help with the archer's grip and comfort and their main function is to provide you with the needed protection against some minor injuries on your fingers. While blisters are among the most common types of inconveniences that can happen, still, some other more serious injuries can happen during this sport. Some of them are nerve irritation which can be quite uncomfortable.
Regarding their type, most of them are made from leather since leather is considered the most durable material of them all. When in the search for the right type, the most important thing to have in mind is choosing gloves that fit perfectly on your hands. The chosen pair should provide you with enough room for you to wiggle the fingers.
