Can skipping increase your height?

You must have heard people tell you to start skipping to increase height. But does it really work? Here’s what an expert has to say.

benefits of jump rope for calf muscles — Jumping rope will strengthen your calf muscles! Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

Shifa Khan Published: 26 May 2022, 10:22 am IST

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Increasing height when you’ve grown up seems like a distant dream. Height may depend on various factors like our genetic structure, body type and the nutrition we provide our body in our growing years. While many people must have advised you to resort to skipping to increase height, is it a fact or a fad? Let’s learn from an expert.

Health Shots spoke to Gauthaman Ramesh, a Cult.fit fitness expert who explained if skipping to increase height works or not.

Can skipping to increase height helps?

Ramesh says, “Skipping is a great activity that does a fair bit for lower body health as well as cardiovascular health. Though skipping is a great activity for a lot of reasons, it does not increase one’s height. Height is something that is very genetic and training does not impact the height of a person.”

Having said this, there are several other reasons that might interest one to add skipping to their routine.

Listed below are some of the benefits of skipping:

It puts great focus on cardiovascular health that helps burn a good amount of calories in a short amount of time. This can help in boosting metabolism and assist in one’s fat loss journey.
Skipping is a plyometric movement that can increase one’s jump potential and performance. This makes it a great activity to add if you are into sports and performance.
It demands a lot of muscular strength and endurance that helps one build muscle and joint strength
Skipping puts a good amount of load on the lower body which creates a need for adaptation in the bone density. This means that it can help improve one’s bone density if the person is under a good nutritional program with no prior injuries and diseases.
Doing it in an adequate amount is also good for joint strength and makes you more functional.

belly fat after menopause — Skipping is one of the simplest and most result-oriented exercises EVER. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Does skipping have any side effects too?

Just like most things, too much skipping might also cause some harm. Skipping is an impact activity, so too much of it might start to cause some joint harm as well. That is why it is best to couple skipping with a good exercise routine.

Since skipping is an impacting activity it may not be the best bet for someone with prior lower body injuries and other bone density related diseases.