Question:
“I’m in my teens and I want to start weight lifting. But someone recently told me that weightlifting can stunt my growth. Is this true?”
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Have you ever wondered…
- Does Lifting Weights Stunt Your Growth?
- Why Are Bodybuilders Short?
- Will Lifting Weights Make You Shorter?
If so then you need to watch the video clip below:
Will Weight Training Make You Short? Click PLAY To Learn The Truth…
Note: if you can’t watch the embedded video clip above,
you can watch it right on my YouTube Channel by Clicking Here
Despite all the information available today that dispels the myth that working out stunts your growth. I still get dozens of questions every single week from teenagers who are afraid to lift weights because they think they’ll be doomed to be short for the rest of their life.
The bottom line is that weight training has NO impact on your height.
You are going to grow to be a certain height based on your genetics,
NOT based on what exercises you do or don’t do.
Parents will put their kids in baseball, soccer, hockey, football, basketball, karate, etc. without a care in the world. But they are afraid to let them touch a weight in the gym. Do you realize that kids are much more likely to get injured and their bodies are under more stress playing team sports then they ever are by following a supervised weight training program.
Supervised weight training ranks as one of the safest sporting activities that you can perform. There is a lower risk of injury from weight training then any other sport. When working out in the gym you are in total control over the weight you lift, how you lift it, and what exercises you do. However, when competing against other athletes the risk of injury is much higher because it’s very easy to get hurt because of someone else’s negligence.
Now please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not saying this to be negative towards team sports. I’m just putting the overall safety of weight training in perspective.
If you are a teenager reading this and you are afraid to workout, or if you are a parent who is reading this and is afraid to let your child exercise, don’t be. Do your research and learn the facts. With childhood obesity on the rise, the health benefits of following a structured weight training & exercise program can mean the difference between living a healthy active lifestyle. Or one that’s riddled with obesity, sickness, and disease. Let’s start our kids off on the right track with healthy habits that will last them a lifetime.
References:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/fitness/Pages/Weight-Training-Age-and-Development.aspx
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/209267.php
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/5/e1199.abstract
http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/bodybuildingfaq/f/stuntgrowth.htm
7 Comments
marcelinseevathean
In fact the vast majority of people involved in weight training does not know so far what to take for a pre- and post work-out as well as during their training.Your instructional video clip is very instructional on this issue, showing step by step how to proceed.Being myself a long time bodybuilder of 61 years of age and a former Chief Physical Training Instructor Police Sergeant, I am still learning a lot from our friend Lee who is imparting his knowledge in this field.By the way it’s worth noting that I took the 1st place in the Mr Mauritius 2011 in the Masters Category (55- 60 yrs), IFBB version on the 17th of December 2011.Come on guys, as from now on erase the word procrastination from your dictionary, avail yourselves of these counsels and facilities.Our friend Lee really means business and surely he’s a role model showing that he’s practicing what he’s preaching.
GJD
Cheers Lee for this informative article. I am 16 and have been lifting weights for around 1 year and into hardcore bodybuilding for about 6 months. I have often considered the myth that weightlifting stunts growth. However, this has reassured me and given me greater confidence to carry.
Keep up the great articles Lee!
GJD
Certificate III, Sydney
I truly wanted to start weight lifting. It had my wish. My brother told me that weight lifting can stunt your growth but now I am going to start weight lifting after see this video. Thanks for complete my wish.
Abhinav
Lifts like squats and deadlifts load the spine. Spinal compression caused by these lifts can result in a minor change in height. I don’t have data to back this up, but logic points me this way. Now if you’re 5’10”, you might be 5’9.5” after a few years of training so the decrease isn’t that significant. But I think there might be more to this than we know.
Joe
It’s not a good idea to dispense medical advice since you’re not a licensed medical doctor. Telling young people who have bodies that have not physically matured yet that they will not experience any growth or structural problems due to weight training is irresponsible.
Jay
I started lifting weights at a young age, I was doing clean and jerks and squatting by the time i was 12. I am 30 now and have got bigger and stronger every yr, I am 6ft3 almost, I don’t think personally lifting weights can affect your overall height but if definitely puts strain on your skeletal structure and connecting tissues. My big brother also lifts and is 41 and is 6ft6 and weighs 300lbs. No one I know has ever mentioned to me that they think they are shorter than expected. Most time height comes from parents. If you are meant to be tall or above average height you will be, provided you eat a healthy diet and don’t smoke at all or too much. Smoking can definitely limit potential as it messes up blood circulation. Thats my opinion anyhow
Great article as always Lee.
Little Lad
Joe,
Joe chill out a bit don’t discourage
I have been training since I was 14, was deadlifting 350lb, squating 220lb, overhead press 145lb, rowing 200lb by 16, and still managed to grow to 6′ 1″ and I am not what you may call generically gifted, it took 2 hours training 5 days a week…
if all weight lifters were short fair enough but most I train along side are 6Ft and over and a lot stronger, surely if we were supposed to shrink at least one of us would have.
By the way I am now 19 and am still 6′ 1″ 🙂