The rowing machine is a low impact, low stress way to workout. It has been designed for those who just want to get fit and keep healthy.
After our last article about the best rowing machine for short people, we have noticed that one of the most common questions people ask about rowing workouts is: does rowing machine make you taller?
This article discusses the question on whether rowing machines can make you taller, the main factors that influence a person’s height, and some ways individuals can follow to increase their height during development.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
What Determines a Person’s Height?
The main factor that influences a person’s height is their genetic makeup, or DNA.
DNA is the main factor determining a person’s height.
Scientists have identified more than 700 different gene variants that determine height. Some of these genes affect the growth plates, and others affect the production of growth hormones.
Normal height ranges are different for people from different ethnic backgrounds, with DNA being the main determinant.
Another factor that influences how tall someone is the size of their bones and the length of their arms and legs.
The body naturally grows taller as it matures, and that’s the main reason why most people grow to a certain height during their lifetime.
Does Rowing Make You Taller?
Rowing is a low-impact sport that doesn’t require a lot of stabilizing muscles to maintain its balance.
As such, rowing does not require a lot of muscle strength or stabilization from the lower body. However, it does demand a lot from the upper body, especially your arms and shoulders, thus it can have an effect on your posture.
So does rowing make you taller? The answer would be yes and no.
The truth is there isn’t any research that has specifically looked into this question directly. However, there is research that claims regular physical activity can increase your height by as much as 2-3 inches.
Regular exercise is important for proper physical development, as it supports the health of bones and muscle tissues.
What Can You Do About Your Height?
To achieve a healthy body structure, it is vital that you follow a proper physical exercise program that involves regular physical activity.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), All healthy adults should participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 min on five days per week.
Rowing is an excellent sport to start out with because the discipline it requires is relatively easy to learn and follow.
However, like any other sport, rowing does not require brute strength from the muscles but rather leg power and balance from the upper body muscles.
These are some workaround ways to enhance your height growth and also ‘appear’ taller than you really are:
1. Take care of your posture
If you spend long hours sitting on your desk, or spend the majority of your time in a slouched, hunched position, you are not really doing yourself any favor.
A bad posture makes you look shorter than you really are, and most importantly, impacts your natural curve and spinal health.
By improving your posture, doing stretching, and spinal exercises, you can elongate your spine and appear slightly taller than you actually are.
Things to consider for a better posture:
- Avoid sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time. However, if you do find yourself sitting for long periods of time, try to find a more ergonomic and comfortable position.
- Stand up and walk around. This will help your posture get better, and it also helps increase your height. If you are not able to stand up straight because of your bad knees, find a way to support yourself while standing (like leaning on a chair or countertop or even placing one or two books on top of the desk).
2. Getting enough sleep
Sleep promotes growth and helps the body to recover and release the hormones the body needs to grow.
Getting enough sleep may therefore allow optimal growth.
Not getting enough sleep over a long period of time may interfere with healthy growth, cause other health problems, and impair the ability to focus, learn, and participate in life.
3. Getting regular exercise
Getting enough exercise daily helps to stay healthy by preventing problems with your bones and joints, such as arthritis or osteoporosis.
Getting enough exercise also helps children learn how to do new things quickly because they are able to use the muscles better than they would without exercise.
4. Ensuring good nutrition
The body needs to get all the nutrients it needs from food.
It is important that children have adequate protein and calcium from foods.
Calcium is a necessary mineral for growth and development, and too little calcium can cause rickets, or a condition in which the bones become very thin.
Nutritionists recommend that children and young people eat a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. This will ensure that they get all the vitamins and minerals they need to
Children who are underweight or who have poor growth may need extra calcium supplements as part of their diet.
The bottom line
Rowing is one of the most popular cardio exercises because of its simplicity, effectiveness, and can be done almost anywhere.
The main influence of a person’s height can only depend on your genes, but by incorporating rowing into your workout routine, you ensure proper physical development, thus supporting the health of bones and muscle tissues.
