Fuzzy's Notes:  

Competitive shooting differs from the majority of sporting activities.    The very last thing one needs before the start of an event is an unhealthy dose of strenuous physical exertion designed to get the heart pumping . . . blood coursing through ones arterial and veinous systems . . . the raising of ones mental activity to the "wild frenzy" sought in, say, a Rugby Football game.    Instead the pre-event emphasis is on mental relaxation, yet with a concentrated focus on a "set of pre-determined procedures" . . . upon stretching and relaxation of key elements of the skeleto-muscular aspects of ones body.    Yet . . . it is still vitally important that the shooter remember that he/she is still an athlete . . . that the body needs to be in top physical condition to be capable of assuming and maintaining for extended periods of time, the positions . . . almost contortional exercises in some cases . . . required in multi-position rifle shooting.

The US. Shooting Team coaches and trainers have developed the following routines which I can heartedly recommend.    Additionally my own recommendations are that a serious competitor engage in a good cardio-vascular routine, such as brisk Run-Walks, Cycling and/or Swimming to build stamina.

U.S. Shooting Team  Exercise Programmes  

( From 2006 Coach Conference – Camp Perry, OH . . . Modified by Dan Durben and Sommer Wood from the program originally developed by Amber Darland )

A.   Shooting Warm-Up    ( * *Exercises should be performed to the maximum extension/contraction )

Static Back - 5 minutes
Starting position:      Lie on back with legs bent 90 degrees at the knees and lower legs resting on a chair, palms of hands up.
Action:                     Breathe deeply and relax.

Static Back Splits - 15 reps
Starting Position:      Lie on back with both hips and knees bent at 90 degree angles so that your lower legs are held but as if resting on a chair.
Action:                     Bring knees and feet together, then spread knees and feet apart. Repeat back and forth.

Pullovers - 15 reps
Starting position:      Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.    Extend arms straight above chest and interlace fingers.
Action:                     Keeping arms straight, lower hands toward floor above your head and then back toward your waist.   Repeat back and forth.

Lower Spinal Floor Twist - Hold 30 seconds on each leg
Starting position:      Lie on back with left leg straight and resting on the floor.    Bring your right knee up so that your hip and knee are both bent at 90 degree                                 angles.
Action:                     Keeping your right arm flat on the floor palm up, grab your right knee with your left hand and pull it across your body toward the floor and                                 hold.    Repeat on other leg.

Cats & Dogs - 10 reps
Starting Position:      On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
Action:                     Arch back up and pull chin to chest while breathing out.   While breathing in, lower back toward floor and raise head to look up.   Repeat                                 back and forth.

Dog Push-Ups: - 10 reps
Starting Position:      On hands and knees with hands slightly forward of shoulders and wider than shoulders, knees under hips.
Action:                     Bend arms, drop chest straight down between hands and back up. Repeat up and down.

Kneeling Clappers: - 20 reps
Starting Position:      Kneel with hips directly over knees, arms straight in front of chest, palms together.
Action:                     Sweep arms straight back keeping them at shoulder level as far as they will go, pinching shoulder blades together.   Then return and repeat.

Spread Foot Squats: - 10 reps
Starting Position:      Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder width.
Action:                     Bend knees and squat as far as comfortable, keep shoulders over hips and knees behind toes.

Spread Foot Glides: - 15 reps
Starting position:      Stand and spread legs apart, as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your toes pointed forward.   Bend over with your arms hanging                                 straight down.
Action:                     Keeping your left leg straight, bend you right leg while gliding to the right, as if you are sitting back into a chair.   Then switch, smoothly                                 gliding to the left by straightening the right leg and bending the left leg.    Alternate side to side.

Downward Dog: - Hold for 30 seconds
Starting position:      On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.    Curl toes under feet.
Action:                     Straighten legs by lifting knees off the floor, pressing heels toward the floor, and raising hips toward the ceiling creating an arch.    Keep                                 thighs tight, press chest toward legs and hold.

Forward Hang: - Hold 30 seconds
Starting position:      Stand with feet shoulder width apart.
Action:                     Bend over at waist and hang, let arms and head relax down.   Hold and then roll up to starting position

B.   Balance, Strength and Stability Workout:    ( Exercises should be performed to the maximum extension/contraction )

Static Back: - 5 minutes
Starting position:      Lie on back with legs bent 90 degrees at the knees and lower legs resting on a chair, palms of hands up.
Action:                     Breathe deeply and relax.

Supine Elbow Curls: - 30-40 reps
Starting position:      Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.   Place knuckles on the temples of your forehead with thumbs pointing down towards                                 your shoulders.   Pinch your shoulder blades together to bring your elbows to the floor.
Action:                     Keeping wrists straight and rotating on the knuckles bring together and then apart down to the floor.

Pullovers: - 20 reps
Starting position:      Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Extend arms straight above chest and inter1ace fingers.
Action:                     Keeping arms straight, lower hands toward floor above your head and then back toward your waist.    Repeat back and forth.

Static Back Crunches: - 25-50 reps
Starting position:      Lie on back with both hips and knees bent at 90 degree angles so that your lower legs are held out as if resting on a chair.   Place hands                                 behind head with elbows back.    Keep your chin off your chest by keeping your eyes focused on one spot on the ceiling slightly behind you.
Action:                     Contract abdominal muscles while lifting shoulders off the floor, then relax.   Repeat up and down.

Active Frog: - 20 reps
Starting position:      Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on the floor and the sides of the feet touching each other.
Action:                     Bring knees apart toward the floor and then back up together.    Repeat back and forth.

Ruep Kicks: - 20 reps each leg
Starting position:      Lie on right side with both hips and knees bent at 90 degree angles.   Support your head with your right arm, keeping your head and neck in                                 a straight line with your spine.
Action:                     Bring your left knee toward your chest, then straighten out your left leg so that the left hip is fully extended with foot, knee, hip and shoulder                                 all in a straight line.   Repeat back and forth, then flip over and repeat with the right leg.

Static Back Splits: - 20 reps
Starting Position:      Lie on back with both hips and knees bent at 90 degree angles so that your lower legs are held out as if resting on a chair.
Action:                     Bring knees and feet together, then spread knees and feet apart.   Repeat back and forth.

Shoulder Bridge: - Hold for 1:00 minute
Starting position:      Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor with both knees and feet at hip width.
Action:                     Squeeze glutes, raise hips and the lower-back off the floor and hold.   Concentrate on squeezing glutes and keeping back relaxed

Active Shoulder Bridge: - 20 reps
Starting position:      Same as Shoulder Bridge - lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor with both knees and feet at hip width.
Action:                     Squeeze glutes, raise hips and the lower-back off the floor, then drop back down.   Repeat up and down.

Lower Spinal Floor Twist: - Hold 1:00 minute on each leg
Starting position:      Lie on back with left leg straight and resting on the floor.    Bring your right knee up so that your hip and knee are both bent at 90 degree                                 angles.
Action:                     Keeping your right arm flat on the floor palm up, grab your right knee with your left
hand and pull it across your body toward the floor and hold. Repeat on other leg.

Frog Kicks & Reverse Frog Kicks: - 20 reps each type
Starting position:      Lie on back with legs straight and hands under glutes.
Action 1:                  Pull your knees straight to your chest, then spread your legs apart.   Keeping your legs spread apart, straighten them out below you.   Finally,                                 bring the legs back together to the starting position. Repeat back and forth in a smooth motion.
Action 2:                  Immediately reverse the frog kicks by first spreading your legs apart, then pulling your knees up to your sides, then drawing your knees                                 together above your chest, then straightening your legs back to the starting position.
Pelvic Tilts: - 10 reps
Starting Position:      Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Action:                     Keeping hips in contact with the floor, arch lower back off floor, then press lower back into floor.   Repeat back and forth.

Hip Lift: - Hold 1:00 minute each leg
Starting Position:      Lie on back with both hips and knees bent at 90 degrees so that your lower legs are held out as if resting on a chair.
Action:                     Place right ankle on left knee and hold.   After 30 seconds lightly pull the left leg toward your chest about 2-3 inches while pressing right                                 knee away from chest, then hold.   Repeat with other leg.

Flutter kicks: - 25 reps with toes back . . . 25 reps with toes pointed forward
Starting position:      Lie on back with legs out straight, thighs tight and toes pulled back.   Raise head off the ground so you are looking at your feet.
Action:                     Keeping thighs tight and legs straight alternate kicking legs up and down 6 inches above the floor.    Half way through your reps point your                                 toes forward.

Supine Diva: - Hold each side 1:00 minute
Starting position:      Sit upright with a slight arch in the lower back.   Place soles of feet together with knees relaxed down.   Invert the position of the right leg so                                 that the inside of the right leg is now resting against the floor, the right foot is behind you, and the sole of the left foot is on the right thigh.
Action:                     Lie onto back, allow right knee to come off the floor.   Once on back squeeze the right glute muscle and hold.   Reverse the directions to                                 repeat on the other side.

Kneeling Active Clock: - 20 reps each
Starting Position:      Kneel with hips directly over knees, arms relaxed by sides.
Action 1:                   Lift arms out in front to the 12 o’clock position straight overhead, then back down.
Action 2:                   Lift arms halfway between overhead and straight out from sides to 10 and 2 o’clock.
Action 3:                   Lift arms straight out from sides to 9 and 3 o’clock.

Kneeling Roller Coasters: - 10 reps
Starting Position:      On hands and knees walk hands out slightly past the shoulders.    Sit back toward your heels keeping your arms stretched out and the palms                                  of your hands flat against the floor.
Action:                      The following motions should mimic a roller coaster.    Bend elbows sliding forward dipping face so that nose skims just above floor,                                  followed by hips.   After face passes beyond hands begin to arch body up in a U motion, straightening your arms to raise your chest.   Lift                                  hips while returning back to the starting position.   Repeat in a smooth motion.
Cats & Dogs: - 10-15 reps
Starting Position:      On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
Action:                     Arch back up and pull chin to chest while breathing out.    While breathing in, lower back toward floor and raise head to look up.   Repeat                                 back and forth.

Hand Leg Opposite Holds: - Hold for 10 seconds, 5 reps each arm/leg
Starting position:       On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
Action:                      Raise and straighten your right arm and left leg simultaneously until they are both straight and parallel with the floor and hold.    Switch to                                  left arm and right leg and repeat.

Downward Dog: - Hold for 1:00 minute
Starting position:      On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.   Curl toes under feet.
Action:                     Straighten legs by lifting knees off the floor, pressing heels toward the floor, and raising hips toward the ceiling creating an arch.    Keep                                 thighs tight, press chest toward legs and hold.

Active Downward Dog: - 15 reps
Starting position:      On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.   Curl toes under feet.
Action:                     Straighten legs by lifting knees off the floor, pressing heels toward the floor, and raising hips toward the ceiling.   Keep thighs tight and press                                 chest toward legs.    Next, lower the knees to the floor, then come back up.   Repeat up and down.

Kneeling Bridge: - Hold for 1:00 minute
Starting position:      Kneel with knees under hips and feet with heels up and toes on the ground under heels.    Reach back and grab heels with hands so that                                 thumbs are inside of heels.
Action:                     Squeeze glutes, push hips up and forward and hold.

Hero Squats :- 20 reps
Starting position:      Kneel with knees under hips and feet at hip width.   Place hands on hips and sit back as close to ankles as is comfortably possible while                                 keeping shoulders directly above hips.   Gently arch your lower back inward.   Avoid leaning forward.
Action:                     Raise your hips all the way up until they are directly over your knees, then go back down.   Repeat up and down.

Hero Leans: - 10-20 reps
Starting position:      Kneel with knees under hips and feet at hip width.   Place palms on lower back with fingers pointing down.
Action:                     Keeping stomach and back tight, lean back as far as is comfortable, then come back up.

Spread Foot Glides: - 20 reps
Starting position:      Stand and spread legs apart, as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your toes pointed forward.   Bend over with your arms hanging                                 straight down.
Action:                     Keeping your left leg straight, bend you right leg while gliding to the right, as if you are sitting back into a chair.   Then switch, smoothly                                 gliding to the left by straightening the right leg and bending the left leg.   Alternate side to side.

Spread Foot Roller Coasters: - 10-20 reps
Starting position:      Stand and spread legs apart, as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your toes pointed forward.    Bend over, walk your hands out in                                 front of you and spread your hands so they are slightly wider than your shoulders.
Action:                     The following motions should mimic a roller coaster.   Bend elbows sliding forward dipping face so that nose skims just above floor,                                 followed by hips.   After face passes beyond hands begin to arch body up in a U motion, straightening your arms to raise your chest.                                 Return to the starting position by lifting the hips into the air and shifting weight back toward your feet.    Repeat in a smooth motion.

Static Lunges: - 20-40 reps each leg
Starting position:      Stand with hands behind head.   Place right leg out in front of you and left leg behind you, keeping your feet in line with each other.
Action:                     Bend both knees allowing your left leg to drop straight down toward the floor.   Next, raise back up straightening legs.   Repeat up and down.                                 Switch legs and repeat.

Roller Coasters: - 10-15 reps
Starting position:      Stand with feet straight and shoulder width apart.   Bend over and walk your hands out just past your shoulders.
Action:                     The following motions should mimic a roller coaster.    Bend elbows sliding forward dipping face so that nose skims just above floor, followed                                 by hips.    After face passes beyond hands begin to arch body up in a U motion, straightening your arms to raise your chest.    Return
                                to the starting position by lifting the hips into the air and shifting weight back toward your feet.   Repeat in a smooth motion.

Bear Crawl: - 10 steps each leg
Starting position:      On hands and feet.
Action:                     Crawl forward by first bringing your right hand and left leg forward, then your left hand and right leg.   Keep your back flat and your knees                                 under your body in line with your hips.

Inchworms: - 5-8 reps
Starting position:      Stand with feet hip width apart.   Keep legs straight and bend over at the waist and reach out until your hands are flat on the floor.
Action:                     Keeping your legs straight, walk your hands out in front of you as far as comfortable.   Next, keeping legs straight, use your toes to “inch”                                 your legs up to your hands pressing heel towards floor with each step.

Air Bench: - Hold 1:00 minute
Starting position:      As if sitting in a chair, stand with back against walk so that knees are bent at ankles.
Action:                     Keep weight on heels, press lower back into the wall and hold.

Standing Stork Walk: - . 20 reps each leg
Starting position:      Stand with hands behind head,
Action:                     Pull left knee up to a 90 degree angle keeping foot under knee.   Point toe towards floor, then lower leg back to starting position.    Repeat                                 with other leg
Cats & Dogs (Repeat): - 10-15 reps
Starting Position:      On hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
Action:                     Arch back up and pull chin to chest while breathing out.    While breathing in, lower back toward floor and raise head to look up.   Repeat                                 back and forth.

Forward Hang: - Hold 30 seconds
Starting position:      Stand with feet shoulder width apart.
Action:                     Bend over at waist and hang, let arms and head relax down.   Hold and then roll up to Starting position.