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If archery is not the first sport you think of taking up when you are turning over a healthy leaf, think again. You may be pleasantly surprised by its many health benefits.

Here at Dartington Barn our guests get to enjoy the tranquil and elegant surroundings while they partake in the medieval sport of archery, with surprising health benefits.

Build muscle tone
Archery develops most of the muscle groups in your upper body. Drawing a bow uses the strength of both arms as well as exercising the shoulders and back. The repetition of the sport and the fact the bow pull is maintained for several seconds, give similar exercise benefits as weight lifting.

There is also a surprising amount of walking done by archers, which leads to better muscle tone and leg strength, as well as improved cardiovascular health.

Strengthen your core
Holding your body still while aiming and making a shot helps you gain control over your balance, which in turn strengthens your core. This leads to all sorts of benefits, including improving your posture and straightening your back.

Develop mental focus
Along with physical strength, archery is also excellent for mental development, through building focus and attention skills. Learning to focus attention solely on the target allows your mind to clear, providing valuable stress release. This practice may also help you overcome procrastination and distraction.

Hand-eye coordination is also greatly improved through archery, leading to better dexterity in your hands and improving your central nervous system.

And best of all… it’s fantastically good fun!