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About Jerry Goodwin
Expertise
I can answer questions related to any of the following areas alternative medicine, fitness, physical education, weight training, senior health, bicycling, personal trainers, personal training, medical technology, health and wellness, eating disorders, weight loss, Naturopathy, first aid, and bodybuilding. In fact I was listed as an expert in each of these categories at askme.com until they closed down

Experience
I have worked in health and or fitness related capacities for over 30 years. My main profession is that of a Medical Technologist, but I also have training as a Corpsman with the US Navy, a Field Medic with the Army National Guard,and am certified as A Personal Trainer, Medical Exer-therapist and Aerobics Instructor through the National Academy for Health and Fitness. My wife and I have operated BMG Services Fitness and Nutrition in Moultrie Georgia since 1995. I also have an Associates Degree in Computer Robotics. I am an avid bicycle rider, mostly road riding with the occasional mountain trail or off road "experience". My wife and I usually do a charity ride at least once per year to help those less fortunate. Degrees & Certifications: Certifications include Clinical Laboratory Scientist CLS/NCA. Clinical Laboratory Technologist CLT/HHS Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor, and Medical Exer-therapist NAHF. Advance Weight Training through NAHF. Accepted as AFTA Associate Awards include the Ohio State Award of Merit and Ohio Special Services Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal and 2 Army Achievement Medals CPR re-Certifcation 2007 Web page: http://www.bmgfitness.com http;//www.healthandfitnessebookclub.com

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Weightlifting & Exercise - Dumbbells

Expert: Jerry Goodwin - 11/5/2009

Question
I’m 17 and 5’4” (which is definitely short for my age). I haven’t hit my growth spurt yet. Will I still be able to grow more, like 3-4 inches? I also want to do strength training, with dumbbells. I have been doing free hand exercises, like push-ups, squats, calf raises, crunches, chin ups etc. for about 2 months. I also hang from bar and do much stretching everyday to get taller. Now, I want to start with dumbbells, because there are so many different exercises with dumbbells. But I heard that lifting dumbbells will stop my growth, i.e. I won’t grow any taller. So I searched the internet for what other people think. But now I am more confused. Because, 50% people have completely denied it, 16% have firmly said that it will STOP my growth and the rest have said that if I start with less weight and follow proper form, it won’t stunt my growth. But what is the truth? Will I grow taller? Is it okay to use dumbbells?

Answer
Hi Fahim,

My firm belief is that weight training will have absolutely no bearing on your future height. My son is 6'3, I am 5'8 Bryan was weight lifting in high school, I was not. According to the minority that believe the old wives tale that weight training stunts growth it should be the other way around. Shaq was said to have begun weight training around 13 I believe and The OAK started at 13 in Austria against his parents wishes from what I am told.

The thing is that weight training will increase the body's growth hormone, so if anything at all it should increase not decrease your height, smoking and such has been proven to stunt growth, as far as I have been able to tell there is absolutely no true scientific evidence that will prove that weight training will do anything at all to increase or decrease height. There are some sites that promote exercises and products that they claim will affect the height. Personally I take very little stock in these sites. Basically what you are saying is that about 84% of the people you have asked agree with me that weight training even at a young age does not affect your adult height.

Height really has nothing to do with anything anyway. You can find some really great men through history that were not tall such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Theodore Roosevelt, and professional basketball players Spud Webb, Nate Archibald.

Also Dumbbells are great, love them for exercising. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Have a great day

Jerry

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