I'm debating either a recurve suitable to my size i.e. a 35-40lb 66 inch which I'm told will take longer to master but ultimately be more rewarding or a compound which I'm told will be easier to get to good at but not as satisfying as a compound with all the bells and whistles is kind of a cheater bow.
Sorry that's BS, where, who said that..lol
If you can't anchor a bow in a consistent manner holding it to your cheek, siting the target taking your time breathing and aiming and then a consistent release to hit the target, it ain't gonna be fun.
I love when big mussily guy's pick up a bow and they look at the draw weight, and think they can shoot a 50,60-70lb bow even a compound.
A recurve will get progressively harder as you pull it back, and full weight will be as your trying, (TRYING) to hold it taking your time with breathing and aiming. I'd give you about five shots and then you'll start getting very sloppy and weak. Sure any bow will take conditioning of the upper body and the mussels you need for a bow. However a compound bow is kinda the opposite to a recurve, as you pull it back it gets harder and then you get over the hump. At this point the weight drops to around 20%-30% right where you need to anchor, breath and take your time aiming. You have to be able to get into a consistent, stance, holding, breathing, aiming, and release, kinda like bowling, or shooting guns.
What do you shoot with and what have your experiences been?
I haven't shot in a long time but did a lot when I was younger I diid the whole hobby. Made my own arrows, tricked out my bows, went to the range, hunted. I had one cheap Bear bow to start and that lasted about a week till I was buying TOTL Oneida bows. We didn't have eBay back then so the "Beginner" bow was a wast of money. Nobody will want a cheap bow if you decide to sell it. If I where you I'd buy a really nice bow that others would want in case you want to sell later, and you can get one used.