10 Effective Tips To Increase Upper Body Height

Making your upper body appear taller is not that difficult after all.

Reviewed by Rakesh Rathod, Certified Personal Trainer
Written by Kushneet Kukreja, MS (Biotechnology)
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

Our genes majorly determine our height, and most of us stop growing any further after puberty. But do you know there are some tips to increase upper body height? Yes – these tricks and exercises work on your spine alignment by developing and toning the muscles that support it. They may naturally make you appear taller as they might help increase your upper body height. Add these stretching exercises to your exercise regimen today. Continue reading to know more.

1. First and foremost, before working on your upper body exercise routine, it is important to work on your lower body, building core strength as well. Your workout regimen should be a good balance between the two. Even though it is important to work on your upper body, do not cut back or completely eliminate the lower body workout. Ideal upper body workouts include shoulder press and chest press and deadlifts engage both the upper and lower body in tandem.

Woman stretching upper body in yoga pose
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Swimming and skipping are two notable activities that may help boost your height.

2. Upper body stretches are the ideal way to add a few inches to your height. These stretches work on your spine and lengthen the upper body, and the corresponding result will make you look taller. Body stretches that extend your arms and legs concurrently, result in an increased height of your torso and upper body.
Woman practicing hanging exercises using bars
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3. Another way to increase your upper body height is by stretching the spine by means of hanging exercises and pull-ups. While hanging, it is important to keep your arms and shoulders completely relaxed, and the hanging process should not end within 20 seconds. This position stretches the spinal column and thus, lengthens the upper body.

4. Twisting is another way to increase your body height. The twisting exercise round the spine gives it an added flexibility. With age, our spine tends to become more inflexible; hence, these workouts become even more necessary.

Woman practicing body inversion, anti-gravity aerobic exercise
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5. Body inversion is another exercise that can help you grow taller. The effectiveness of the use of the inversion table for height increase has been proven time and again. This exercise regimen uses gravity to stretch your cartilage in the spine and knees. Body inversion should be performed 10 minutes daily, with two sessions in the morning and evening lasting 5 minutes each. In order to boost the potency of this grow-taller exercise, make use of inversion boots.

Beata Van Berkom, a researcher and blogger, shares how body inversion helped stretch out her spine and align her hips properly. She writes, “One day, as I hung, breathing deeply, I experienced a huge unexpected release. Suddenly, in my lower thoracic spine, a lengthening occurred. I let out a small yipe sound, as the release startled me (i).”

6. Performing yoga is another great way to add inches to your upper body. Practicing yoga helps in improving body posture and flexibility (1). This in turn results in increasing your upper body height. Yoga poses like downward dog lengthens and strengthens the upper body, thereby making you appear taller.

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Focus on asanas like tadasana, vrikshasana, and padahasthasana to stretch your spine and improve your posture.

7. A good diet also plays a crucial role in increasing your upper body height. A balanced, nutritious diet will not only keep you fuelled, but will also enhance your energy levels. Ensure that your diet gives you an additional dose of Vitamin D and calcium to maintain optimum health of your bones (2), (3). Avoid fatty and sugary foods as they restrict the secretion of growth hormones in the body (4).

8. Developing a routine is also crucial. Body stretches or yoga, if performed just once or twice, will not assist in increasing your upper body height. Consistency is the key. It is important to form a routine and follow it sincerely.

9. Skip days. For any exercise routine, it is important to take one or two days off and vary the routine to check overuse injuries. This is another reason to keep lower body workouts in your routine to keep your off days filled. The rule of thumb suggests practicing yoga thrice weekly for half an hour and performing stretching exercises four or five times a week.

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10. Last but not the least, take good rest. Also, sleep for minimum eight hours daily. This will give your body the time to recover and keep you energized for your workout the next day (5).

Infographic: 6 Effective Ways To Increase Upper Body Height

Most of us stop growing after adolescence. The good news is that a few simple tips can stretch your spine and develop the muscles that can help support your upper body height. Check out the infographic below for 6 effective ways to increase upper body height.

6 effective ways to increase upper body height (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Although the height of an individual depends on their genes, a few effective tips can help increase upper body height. Balancing both upper and lower body workouts, including upper body stretches in the exercise routine, stretching the spine by hanging or lat pulldowns in the gym, practicing the twisting exercise, body inversion, yoga, and eating a well-balanced diet may help increase your upper body height in some cases. Also, be consistent with your exercise regime and get the required rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does working out at the gym increase height?

While hitting the gym doesn’t boost one’s height, it does improve their posture. Individuals under 18 may benefit from specific bodyweight exercises at the gym, alongside availing the right nutrition.

What age do you stop growing?

You generally stop growing after the age of 18.

What hormone helps you become taller?

The human growth hormone (hGH) helps one become taller. It is released from the pituitary gland and is responsible for growth in children.

Does testosterone increase height?

Yes. Though not directly, testosterone stimulates the production of growth hormone and may increase one’s height during puberty.

Does cycling increase height?

No, cycling cannot increase height, but it helps extend leg muscles and makes you appear leaner and muscular, improving your physique.

Does plank increase height?

No, it doesn’t. However, a plank may give you a good stretch and strengthen your legs.

Key Takeaways

  • A balanced diet and stretching regularly can help support growth and development.
  • Taking part in exercises that target the upper body can help improve your upper body height.
  • Getting enough quality sleep for at least 8 hours can help improve your posture and promote upper body growth.
  • Certain yoga poses combined with breathing exercises can help you relax and enhance your posture, increase flexibility, and promote height growth.
tips to increase upper body height

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Discover the top 10 exercises that can unlock your potential for increased height. Watch the video below for more details.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Effects of hatha yoga exercises on spine flexibility in young adults
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306073569_Effects_of_hatha_yoga_exercises_on_spine_flexibility_in_young_adults
  2. Vitamin D and Skeletal Growth and Development
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251569755_Vitamin_D_and_Skeletal_Growth_and_Development
  3. Overview of Calcium
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56060/
  4. Rapid Suppression of Growth Hormone Concentration by Overeating: Potential Mediation by Hyperinsulinemia
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3047219/
  5. The energy hypothesis of sleep revisited
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18809461/
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