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What Am I doing Wrong

useyourbow

useyourbow

Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Messages
82
59 years old
6'2"
230 lbs.
Fairly decent shape for 59
Going to leave saddle manufacture out of it for the time being but will say it is a well known brand.
After a 3 to 4 hour sit/lean/stand in the saddle my legs are a wreck. So bad it has caused me to miss the next hunt. What am I doing wrong? My saddle has an adjustable bridge that I adjust during the sit/lean/stand to change up pressure points. I change tether length. Change tether height. Have knee pads. Change platform angles. Alternate between sitting/leaning/standing. I do everything I read about on this site but still not overly comfortable. Last year I thought maybe the stress of not trusting the system was causing to much tension but this year I am fully confident, no worries what so ever.
 
You’re using muscles in your legs you don’t normally use. Stabilizing muscles to keep yourself off the tree, and on your platform. If you’re not doing dynamic leg exercise routinely, this will be an issue for you. Until you’ve worked those muscles some amount of time in a saddle.

or you could get a hybrid and not ever have to worry about it.
 
The same happened to me at first also and I was in really good shape although I’m a few years older than you. You have to get in shape for it. Greg used to call it “saddle shape”. The best thing to do is get used to being up there for about an hour at a time. So 1 hour, wait a few days, then 2 hours, ect ect. Trying to do something like this thats that much different then what your legs are used to doing is going to hurt if you don’t slowly progress into it.


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I'm 43 and my legs get sore but also know that's because I spend most of my day sitting behind a desk and don't stretch my legs before or after.

Possibilities that I can thing of since your tether height sounds okay:
1. Climbing method. If you are trying to move your legs too high or stretch out too far between steps, that can pull something
2. Locking your knees. I have a bad habit of doing this but am otherwise so relaxed while in the saddle that the rest of my body compensates
3. Overall tension from being uneasy. You mentioned stress last year and you may still have it so distract yourself. Once at height and set, get your back band set and enjoy the views.

Also, stretch out your legs before and after like you'rs getting ready for a jog. Stretch out your calfs, quads and hamstrings.
 
useyourbow said:
59 years old
6'2"
230 lbs.
Fairly decent shape for 59
Going to leave saddle manufacture out of it for the time being but will say it is a well known brand.
After a 3 to 4 hour sit/lean/stand in the saddle my legs are a wreck. So bad it has caused me to miss the next hunt. What am I doing wrong? My saddle has an adjustable bridge that I adjust during the sit/lean/stand to change up pressure points. I change tether length. Change tether height. Have knee pads. Change platform angles. Alternate between sitting/leaning/standing. I do everything I read about on this site but still not overly comfortable. Last year I thought maybe the stress of not trusting the system was causing to much tension but this year I am fully confident, no worries what so ever.
Click to expand...

What part of your legs hurt, Calf, Knees, Quads? If your legs hurt it might be because you are putting too much pressure on them. When in a saddle you should have about 80% of your weight in your butt and 20% on your feet. Also trying different saddle’s is a must. They all fit different and it took me 3 years and 6 different saddles to find the right one.
 
Some single panel saddles (Kestrel, Phantom) have an adjustment for tightness under the leg. When I initially got my Kestrel, it was super uncomfortable. I messed around with the lower leg/butt straps and everything changed. Similar thing with the Phantom. For me, I need to get the panel lower on my backside. As I move around, it can tend to ride up a bit and the comfort will deteriorate. Making those adjustments helps hold it in the right place for me. I don't ever consider a saddle super comfortable, but I say the other day from 6:30am to 4:00pm and was fine. It can be done.
 
useyourbow said:
59 years old
6'2"
230 lbs.
Fairly decent shape for 59
Going to leave saddle manufacture out of it for the time being but will say it is a well known brand.
After a 3 to 4 hour sit/lean/stand in the saddle my legs are a wreck. So bad it has caused me to miss the next hunt. What am I doing wrong? My saddle has an adjustable bridge that I adjust during the sit/lean/stand to change up pressure points. I change tether length. Change tether height. Have knee pads. Change platform angles. Alternate between sitting/leaning/standing. I do everything I read about on this site but still not overly comfortable. Last year I thought maybe the stress of not trusting the system was causing to much tension but this year I am fully confident, no worries what so ever.
Click to expand...
It sounds like you have hit most of the adjusting points. Some other things to consider are the type of boots you are using when leaning on the platform. When you sit, are you sitting with your knees to the tree in a 90 degree angle or is your butt much higher than your knees? What angle is your platform set at? Do you spend a couple hours a couple weeks before season getting your body used to the new pressure points and muscles being used?
And last but certainly not least, some saddles just aren’t as comfortable as others. I own a very healthy collection of saddles from many brands and I can tell you certain saddles just aren’t comfortable. They are bearable for an hour or two but not comfortable if you’re spending 4 or more hours in them. If you have exhausted every other idea people are suggesting, maybe find some people nearby with other brands and models, to see if they will let you try theirs. You’ll eventually find the right saddle/fit and adjustment combination that will make it more comfortable for you.
 
I added two tree steps to my setup. I have a predator platform, and I put two tree steps 90 degrees out from it. It made such a huge difference for me not only comfort wise, but increased my ability to swing around the tree any which way I please for whatever shot presents itself. Maybe give that a shot?
 
It sounds like you should try a different saddle or 6...

Where do you live? If you're near me come over and try some out...
 
Chimney7 said:
I added two tree steps to my setup. I have a predator platform, and I put two tree steps 90 degrees out from it. It made such a huge difference for me not only comfort wise, but increased my ability to swing around the tree any which way I please for whatever shot presents itself. Maybe give that a shot?
Click to expand...
Same here. A step at 9 O’clock and 3 O’clock is a nice addition and aids in rotating around the tree as well.
 
I’m going to guess your saddle is too big IMHO if your saddle is big your but isn’t taking the pressure. All the pressure is on the little band that goes across your thigh and makes things very uncomfortable and will tire you out quickly.


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I am 54 and have had similar issues. Like other have said, you have to get in saddle shape. Maybe limit your sits to 2 hours for the next 3-4 sits and then try again for a longer sit. Good luck.
 
phatkaw said:
It sounds like you should try a different saddle or 6...

Where do you live? If you're near me come over and try some out...
Click to expand...
What he said, where you located. I'm sure somebody is close. I quick walk through and you will be good to go.
 
I was sore after the first time I went up high, about 18 feet. I don't like heights and I wasn't comfortable with trusting the ropes, carabiners, and Kong to hold me. Since I wasn't trusting it, my muscles were stiff since I was anxious. I was sore the next day because of it.
 
Weldabeast said:
U can put that back band under ur thighs instead of behind ur back and that may relieve some pressure/discomfort
Click to expand...
THIS ^^^^ But I didn’t hear you mention the back strap at all. I just got back from a 7:30 to 2pm sit and could have sat all day. With the back strap that came with my hawk, I am golden! I have to loosen it in order to draw my bow and within 20 minutes, my lower back is killing me! Yet with it, I could have easily sat til dark. I will say, I had to stand up, release tension on my tether/rappel and lower the entire saddle around 11am……that’s why I keep a clip on my line til I am ready to descend. I’m 54 5’10” and 200#, decent shape with pretty strong legs. I can walk forever basically as I do it at work. I never sit at work. Anywho, if you don’t have a back support strap, I’d do that before I do anything else!
 
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