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Taking aim at muscles you never knew you had

Don't let the bow and arrow fool you.

Sure, archery isn't as grueling as, say, football. Still this sport is not for slouches - quite literally.

In addition to demanding precise posture, amazing hand-eye coordination and fierce concentration, pros say archery works muscles you never even knew you had.

"You will be using different types of muscles you haven't used before in your neck, shoulders, arms and back that are different from weightlifting, bicycling or any other form of strength training," says John Roschay, a ranger with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and its archery program leader. "It takes a certain amount of strength and flexibility."

Roschay, who has been teaching for more than two years, leads several free classes and open houses and is certified to instruct through the National Archery Association. This summer's free classes are happening now in Warrenville and will be offered at various locations in DuPage through August. Most classes provide equipment and, therefore, require registration.

Classes draw people of all ages and abilities because, Roschay says, archery's allure lies in its adaptability. A simple change in the weight of the bow, the arrow or your posture can boost your performance. And something as small as exhaling at the wrong time, blinking your eye or shooting with the wrong eye open can leave your arrow far from the bull's-eye.

If you are an archery novice, you shouldn't expect to become a pro in one day, Roschay says, but you will see improvement over the course of one class. Before students in the forest preserve's beginner classes even hit the range, instructors will teach proper form and technique and, of course, precautions. Because although they may be outdated as a top weapon, a bow and arrow can still be dangerous.

And when it's finally time to face the targets, repetition is key to developing what Roschay calls "muscle memory" that will help improve your shot, similar to golfers practicing puts.

"It's all in your mechanics and psychological preparedness," Roschay says.

And that mental challenge coupled with the physical demands is what draws adults, Scout troops, seniors and special recreation groups back to the classes over and over again. Because if you're awful at archery, Roschay says, there's no one to blame - and when you get good, you get all the credit.

Let it fly!

Free archery

Offered by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Details: dupageforest.com or (630) 933-7248

Archery Open House

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19

Where: Blackwell Forest Preserve archery range, just west of Butterfield and Winfield roads, Warrenville

Introduction to Archery

When: 6 to 8 p.m. June 25, July 9 and 23, and Aug. 13 and 27

Where: Blackwell Forest Preserve archery range

When: 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 12

Where: Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Greene Road just north of 75th Street, Naperville

When: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24

Where: Churchill Woods Forest Preserve, 21W200 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Intermediate Archery

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11

Where: Blackwell Forest Preserve archery range

Advanced Archery

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 17

Where: Blackwell Forest Preserve archery range

An archery open house and free classes are being offered this summer in DuPage County. Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
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