Brittany’s Best Archery Health Tips to Beat the Heat
Summer is a wonderful season full of great opportunities. More sunshine, more time outdoors, summer vacation for the kids, and more chances to grow as an archer. Whether you’re stepping foot onto the archery range for the first time or continuing to build your pre-established skills, taking care of your body in the heat is key to staying ready for every shot.
Here are some simple and effective ways to keep your training strong all summer long.
Hydrate for Strength and Focus
Your body works harder in the heat, even during a relaxed range session.
Drink water before, during, and after shooting. If you wait until you feel thirsty, it’s too late. If you can, add electrolytes to your drink.
Staying hydrated helps you maintain steady form, clear focus, and confident execution on your shots.
Brittany’s favorite electrolyte drink is Orange Raspberry flavored Propel Fitness Water.
Dress for Comfort and Confidence
What you wear should support your movement.
Wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics that are light in color will help you stay cooler longer. Have a hat or a visor handy to reduce direct sun exposure to your eyes and face. This will also reduce glare. Moisture-wicking shirts are great options because they are specifically designed to move sweat away from the body and to the outer surface of the fabric.
Bottom line: if you aren’t comfortable, you may have a hard time staying focused on the range.
Brittany’s favorite archery shooting shirt is the Ascend Evolve Performance Crew Long-Sleeve Shirt.
Protect Your Skin
Time spent on the outdoor archery range means time in the sunshine. The sun is an amazing thing that we have, but it can also be harmful. It is extremely important to protect your skin from it, even on cloudy days.
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you plan to hit the range. Broad-spectrum sunscreens offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays, two types of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Set a timer on your phone so you don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Be sure to apply it to your face, neck, and ears.
This small step can protect you from sunburn discomfort and help you perform at your best.
Warm Up with Intention
Shooting with cold, tight muscles can cause strains, muscle soreness, and even injuries. Don’t take the chance.
Dr. Preston Ward, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a medical contact for Team USA Archery, explains the importance of warming up prior to a shoot to prevent shoulder, back, and neck injuries. Complete a series of stretches that engage the muscles you use when drawing a bow.
Grab an exercise band and get to work. Engage your rotator cuff and posterior deltoid with some bilateral external rotation and horizontal abduction exercises.
Brittany’s favorite archery exercise is the Bow Pull.
To perform the Bow Pull exercise, start by wrapping the end of your exercise band around your wrist on your support hand. Then grasp it with the support hand to hold it in place. Use your dominant hand to grab the other end of the exercise band. Draw back. Repeat 20-25 times on each side.
These exercises take approximately 5-10 minutes but are critical to your ability to perform with confidence for smoother and more controlled shots.
Make Every Shot Count
Summer practice doesn’t have to mean longer sessions—it can mean smarter ones.
Focusing on shot quality over quantity helps build consistency without unnecessary fatigue.
Some archers choose to attach a MantisX sensor to their bow while shooting. The sensor connects to a free app and provides better understanding of your shot timing and movement. This allows for more intentional practice—even in shorter sessions.
Learn more at mantisarchery.com or check out the MantisX10 Elite.
Listen to Your Body
Pushing through extreme heat doesn’t build better habits—it increases risk. If you notice dizziness, headaches, or fatigue, immediately stop and get into the shade. Hydrate and reset.
Heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, cool/clammy skin, nausea, and/or headache. It is treatable, but if not addressed, it can quickly become heat stroke, which can be deadly.
Strong training includes knowing when to pause.
Choose the Right Time to Shoot
Set yourself up for success by working with the environment, not against it.
Practicing in the early morning or evening can help you avoid peak afternoon heat. You’ll find that you’re more focused and may have better grouping in cooler conditions.
Fuel Your Body Well
What you eat can support how you perform. Keep meals light and balanced.
Focus on whole foods and hydration-rich options. Avoid eating heavy foods before shooting in the heat.
When your body feels good, your shooting reflects it.
Rest, Reset, Repeat
Breaks are part of progress. Take time between shooting ends.
Step into the shade and use breaks to hydrate and refocus. A reset can be the difference between a frustrating session and a productive one.
Take Care of Your Gear
Your equipment is part of your consistency. Keep it out of direct sunlight when possible. Avoid storing it in hot vehicles. Check your setup regularly.
Reliable gear helps build your confidence shot after shot.
Stay Mentally Strong
Archery is as much mental as it is physical, especially in challenging conditions. Stay patient with yourself. Focus on progress, not perfection. Keep your mindset positive and steady. Every arrow is an opportunity to learn and grow from.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a powerful time to build confidence, strengthen your skills, and enjoy the sport. By taking care of your body, training with intention, and staying mindful of the conditions, you set yourself up for success on and off the range.
Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep going.