Shooting Range Therapy and Health Benefits

Thousands of Veterans go to therapy, and it’s becoming harder for veterans to access the therapy they need. But is traditional talk therapy the best option for everyone? Many Veterans are starting to see the health benefits of spending time at the shooting range, which could be a great therapy alternative for those who feel uncomfortable discussing their feelings. 

Improves physical fitness and ability

Since firing a gun is a physical activity, it makes sense that shooting range therapy would help improve your physical fitness and ability. Shooting a gun requires a lot of physical coordination and strength. You need to keep your core engaged and your arms and upper body steady. Athletes who compete in gun sports find that running and carrying a weapon and ammunition is great weight training. Becoming more physically fit will help you feel healthier and stronger, and physical activity helps you feel mentally healthier , as well.  

Using gear like the Maxium defence PDW brace can help you feel more confident in your shooting as you work on your physical fitness. Don’t be intimidated if you’re out of breath after your first shooting session. Like any physical activity, your abilities will improve as you continue to practice. Some might not immediately associate firing a gun with fitness, so it’s important to remember that is a sport just like basketball or soccer. 

Builds mental discipline

Shooting requires an immense amount of concentration and awareness. Even when you’re just in an indoor shooting range, you have to stay aware of your surroundings and focus on multiple things at once. You have to concentrate on your target while considering the mechanics of your stance and your weapon, and shooting sports require athletes to think logically and creatively. Building your mental discipline will give you the skills you need to tackle any issues that arise in your daily life, which is also a task that traditional talk therapy attempts to accomplish. 

Improving your focus in the shooting range can positively affect your ability to focus while at work or with your family. Since distractions  are a huge issue in this technological age, working to improve your focus is important. Building your mental discipline will help you feel calm, confident, and relaxed.

Increases confidence

Many people go to therapy in an effort to better understand thenselves. They are unsure of who they are or what they want. This might stem from a lack of confidence in what they know about themselves and who they believe they are. Shooting range therapy is an amazing way to build your confidence. Shooting a gun can be terrifying and it actually activates your fight or flight responce. This can cause new shooters to feel fear or anxiety after they first fire a gun. But once the body realizes there’s no danger, your body is flooded with endorphins and serotonin which can make you feel uplifted and powerful. 

Overcoming this flight-or-fight response and engaging in something that originally scared you is an amazing way to build your confidence and begin to better understand yourself. Many people have never considered firing a gun before, so going to the shooting range is the perfect way to teach yourself that you have no limits. You can do anything, even things that might scare you at first. 

For people who are uncomfortable with the idea of traditional therapy, shooting range therapy is an excellent way to improve physical and mental fitness. If you’ve never tried it, find a local range and watch your body and mind improve.