Bowling Exercises You Can Do At Home

With the coronavirus pandemic still in full swing here in Indiana and one of the highest death rates per capita of any state, Hoosiers are looking for ways to pass the time while staying safely at home as much as possible. While necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, it certainly hasn’t been easy for anyone, from the front-line workers having to quarantine away from their families, to parents suddenly learning how to run a one-room schoolhouse from the kitchen table, to folks who live alone and can only interact with friends and family via digital means. We know you’re probably itching to get back to the bowling alley, the gym, and all of the other places you miss, but in the meantime, check out these bowling exercises you can do at home. 

How to Practice Bowling When You Can’t Go to the Bowling Alley

While we wish we could welcome you all back to the lanes, at least there are some ways you can practice bowling or improve your bowling-related skills at home.  According to Bowling This Month, you can work on many aspects of your game at home, including your stance, setup, hand position, and approach. If you don’t have a bowling ball handy, no worries—just use a similarly weighted dumbbell. 

Perfect Your Pre Shot Routine

Your pre-shot routine is whatever you do to get ready for your shot in a bowling game. For most players, this consists of picking up their ball, perhaps giving it a quick shimmy with their towel, and placing their fingers in the grips. This routine should be second nature and you should be consistent with it—consistency is key if you want to be prepared to perform well under pressure. 

Scrutinize Your Setup

Your setup is the stance you take to begin your turn during a bowling game. Try practicing in front of a mirror and noticing your posture, balance, hip and shoulder alignment, etc. 

Assess Your Approach

Next up, practice your approach until the movement feels natural and consistent. This includes your swing (How high is your backswing? When are you bringing your arm forward?) as well as the steps you take before releasing the ball (How are your feet positioned? Are your steps lining up?). 

Review Your Release

For this one, you will actually need to use a bowling ball, preferably an old one. You’ll also need plenty of open space and a surface that won’t be damaged by the ball; maybe your garage or a similar area. 

DIY At-Home Bowling

Of course, if you’re less concerned with perfecting your bowling technique and more interested in having fun, you can set up your own “bowling alley” at home with items you probably have around the house. Search your recycling bin for empty water or soda bottles, and fill them with a bit of water to give some weight to the base so they don’t fall over too easily. Set your “pins” up at the end of a hallway or other long area of around 16 feet, and take turns “bowling” with a baseball, softball, or even a soccer ball.