Phase 1
Spec and fit check
We match manufacturer claims to the listing, confirm hand, draw weight, and compatibility notes, and flag anything that would block a safe first setup.
✓ Listing specs checked
✓ Owner themes reviewed
✓ Fit guidance by use case
Genesis Original Compound Bow Review: NASP Trainer
Buyer-fit guidance (no numeric score) · how we research
Quick verdict: A Michigan school gym during NASP season: a row of Genesis Originals racked on the line, arrows thumping foam. Kids and one adult volunteer share the same bow, because that adjustable riser runs 15 to 30 inches of draw.
✓ Best for
- Buy it for NASP or school-program shooters, or one trainer that fits kids and adults on the same riser. - Buy it for indoor and backyard target work where…
✕ Not for
The 20-pound top end sits under most states' 40-pound deer minimum, so…
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The 10-Second Answer
Should you buy the Genesis Original Compound Bow Review: NASP Trainer?
A Michigan school gym during NASP season: a row of Genesis Originals racked on the line, arrows thumping foam.
✓ Buy it if…
- Adjustable 15 to 30 inch draw fits grade-schoolers through adult beginners, no bow press needed.
- Zero let-off builds a repeatable anchor, the reason it's the NASP standard.
- Aluminum riser and simple single cam hold up to heavy shared use in gyms and backyards.
- Light trainer frame, around 3.5 pounds, so a small kid can hold full draw.
- One bow covers a whole family's target sessions instead of a bow per shooter.
✕ Skip it if…
- The 20-pound top end sits under most states' 40-pound deer minimum, so this is a target bow, not a hunting rig.
- Bow-only box: you still need arrows, a rest, a sight, and usually a release before your first end.
- Full holding weight is a real adjustment for anyone used to a hunting compound's cushion.
- A teen who wants 25 to 40 pounds soon can outgrow the ceiling within a season.
Buyer fit
Best for: - Buy it for NASP or school-program shooters, or one trainer that fits kids and adults on the same riser. - Buy it for indoor and backyard target work where…
Skip if: The 20-pound top end sits under most states' 40-pound deer minimum, so…
No numeric research score — inputs are not documented for this review. How we research
Editor's Verdict
Our verdict
Pros
- Adjustable 15 to 30 inch draw fits grade-schoolers through adult beginners, no bow press needed.
- Zero let-off builds a repeatable anchor, the reason it's the NASP standard.
- Aluminum riser and simple single cam hold up to heavy shared use in gyms and backyards.
- Light trainer frame, around 3.5 pounds, so a small kid can hold full draw.
- One bow covers a whole family's target sessions instead of a bow per shooter.
Cons
- The 20-pound top end sits under most states' 40-pound deer minimum, so this is a target bow, not a hunting rig.
- Bow-only box: you still need arrows, a rest, a sight, and usually a release before your first end.
- Full holding weight is a real adjustment for anyone used to a hunting compound's cushion.
- A teen who wants 25 to 40 pounds soon can outgrow the ceiling within a season.
— jakemorrisonThat NASP line is my whole decision frame. One riser fitting a fourth-grader and an adult volunteer on the same night is the value.
Full holding weight builds form a let-off hunting bow hides. There's no cushion to lean on, so the shooter earns a clean anchor.
For a raw beginner, I set the weight near 10 to 12 pounds, then add as they hold. So buy the Genesis for form and program fit, not for poundage.
Around here, these bows shrug off gym-floor abuse. The limit isn't durability. It's a strong teen outgrowing 20 pounds.
Overview
Genesis Original Compound Bow Review: NASP Trainer at a glance
Specs and What's in the Box
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Draw weight | 10 to 20 lb, adjustable |
| Draw length | 15 to 30 in |
| Let-off | 0% |
| Riser material | Aluminum |
| Weight | ~3.5 lb |
| Handedness | Right/left options |
| Configuration | Bow-only, no arrows |
| ASIN | B004U5DC60 |
The build is dead simple: an adjustable aluminum riser, a zero-let-off single cam, and no bow press to change draw.
What's missing is the kit. Budget for arrows, a rest, a sight, and usually a release. Also, don't confuse this bow-only ASIN with the Genesis Original Arrow Kit listing.
Zero Let-Off: Why NASP Uses It
Zero let-off means you hold full draw weight at anchor, without the 65 to 80 percent cushion a hunting compound gives you.
That's the point, not a defect. Because full holding weight builds a repeatable anchor, NASP standardizes on the Genesis for consistent form across a class. Our best compound bows guide shows where a trainer fits.
Kids and Adults Fit: One Adjustable Riser
The 15 to 30 inch draw range and 10 to 20 pound span let one bow cover an elementary shooter through an adult beginner.
Match draw length to arm span, then start weight low. The common mistakes are buying by age alone and setting weight too high for a beginner.
Training and Target, Not Deer
Most states set a 40-pound minimum draw weight for deer, and the Genesis tops out at 20 by design. So it stays in NASP, indoor leagues, and backyard target use.
If deer is the goal, you'll need more draw weight than this trainer offers. See our best compound bows guide for hunting-ready options.
How It Compares: Gen-X, Supreme Youth, SAS Hero Junior, Diamond Atomic
The Genesis Gen-X runs 25 to 40 pounds, so a shooter who wants more weight soon should step up there.
The Supreme Youth Compound Bow Package is a ready-to-hunt kit for when day-one accessories beat program-standard fit.
The SAS Hero Junior is a genuine left-hand, light-poundage package for a lefty who needs a true left-hand build.
The Diamond Atomic is the name-brand adjustable growth compound with pro-shop support. Still, don't assume any youth compound replaces a Genesis in a school program.
Who It's For
- Buy it for NASP or school-program shooters, or one trainer that fits kids and adults on the same riser.
- Buy it for indoor and backyard target work where full holding weight builds form.
- Skip it for a deer-hunting teen, since 20 pounds sits under state minimums.
- Compare the Gen-X for a teen who'll want 25 to 40 pounds soon.
Specs, Visualized
The numbers that matter
Summary: Specs and What's in the Box | Spec | Detail | |------|--------| | Draw weight | 10 to 20 lb, adjustable | | Draw length | 15 to 30 in | | Let-off | 0% | | Riser material |…
Draw weight options
chosen at checkout, in 5 lb steps
20 lbs
20 lbs
Our pick for most adults: 20 lbs. Take the 15-second draw weight test →
Size & carry weight
Strung length
30"
Will it fit you?
- ✓ Matches your draw weight and experience level
- ✓ Fits your intended use (range, hunt, youth, or competition)
- ✓ Works with your budget and accessory plan
Fail any of these? Use the bow finder below →
How We Research
How we evaluate archery gear
Summary: We verify listing specs, check owner feedback across Amazon and forums, and compare against bows and accessories we have already reviewed on Bow Advice.
Phase 2
Owner feedback scan
We read recent Amazon reviews and archery forum threads for repeat praise, repeat complaints, and gaps between marketing copy and real-world use.
Phase 3
Value vs alternatives
We compare price, included accessories, and upgrade path against close competitors so the recommendation reflects value—not just brand loyalty.
6 wks
minimum evaluation window
3
review sources cross-checked
12+
spec fields verified
Full methodology →
Owner Consensus
What owners are saying
Summary: Buyers praise the same things: real durability, easy no-press adjustment, true NASP fit, and one bow for kids and adults. The complaints are steady too. Some are surprised it's bow-only,…
Owner feedback themes
Buyers praise the same things: real durability, easy no-press adjustment, true NASP fit, and one bow for kids and adults.
The complaints are steady too. Some are surprised it's bow-only, a few find full holding weight tiring, and stronger shooters want more top-end poundage.
Common praise
Common complaints
BowAdvice take
That NASP line is my whole decision frame. One riser fitting a fourth-grader and an adult volunteer on the same night is the value. Full holding weight builds form a let-off hunting bow hides. There's no cushion to lean on, so the shooter earns a clean anchor. For a raw…
Best for
- Buy it for NASP or school-program shooters, or one trainer that fits kids and adults on the same riser. - Buy it for indoor and backyard target work where…
Not for
The 20-pound top end sits under most states' 40-pound deer minimum, so…
Check price on Amazon →Bow Finder
Which archer are you?
Pick the profile that sounds like you. We point you to a living guide — not a scored ranking of this product.
Use-case path
Start with a forgiving path
Look for adjustable draw weight, a shelf or rest option, and a budget that still leaves room for arrows and a target. Begin with compound vs recurve, then a starter guide.
Next read
Starter guides — not a fit scoreUse-case path
Go longbow or recurve
Traditional shooters often want a smooth draw and simple setup. Takedown models let you swap limbs as you progress.
Next read
Traditional guides — not a fit scoreUse-case path
Compound with let-off
Hunters usually want let-off, sights, and adjustability. Start with deer-hunting compounds, then confirm your state draw-weight rules on the listing.
Next read
Hunting guides — not a fit scoreUse-case path
Light draw, right size
Youth bows should be light enough for small frames and adjustable enough to grow into. Start with draw-weight guidance, then budget packages that list youth draw ranges.
Next read
Youth path — not a fit scoreUse-case path
Recurve first, then specialize
Competition paths vary by league. Start with a solid recurve buying guide, then talk to a local club before you buy an ILF riser stack.
Next read
Target path — not a fit scoreUse-case path
Compare package value first
Budget does not mean bad. Compare warranty language, included accessories, and owner wear notes — we do not invent street prices here.
Next read
Budget guides — not a fit scoreBuyer Questions
Genesis Original Compound Bow Review: NASP Trainer FAQ
The questions real buyers ask before ordering, answered from listings, manuals, and owner-feedback patterns — not a private lab.
Check price on Amazon →Zero let-off means you hold the full draw weight at anchor, with no cushion. NASP uses it because full holding weight builds a repeatable anchor and gives every student the same consistent form.
It adjusts from 15 to 30 inches of draw length and 10 to 20 pounds of draw weight, with no bow press required. That range lets one bow fit a grade-school shooter through an adult beginner.
The B004U5DC60 listing is bow-only. You still need arrows, a rest, a sight, and usually a release, so don't confuse it with the Genesis Original Arrow Kit listing.
No. Most states set a 40-pound minimum draw weight for deer, and the Genesis tops out at 20 pounds by design. It's a training and target bow, not a whitetail rig.
Buy the Original if the teen is in NASP or building form on a shared trainer. Choose the Gen-X if they'll want 25 to 40 pounds soon, since it starts where the Original's ceiling stops.
Our verdict: A Michigan school gym during NASP season: a row of Genesis Originals racked on the line, arrows thumping foam.
For NASP, school, and shared family target training, the adjustable riser and zero-let-off design make the Genesis Original the standard near $165.
The caveats are the bow-only box and the 20-pound ceiling, not durability. So plan for arrows and accessories, and keep this bow in the target lane.
If you'd rather go another way, step to the Gen-X for more poundage or the Supreme Youth for a bundled, ready-to-hunt kit.
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