The affect of height on lifting weights

[GoatMonkey]

I've noticed from watching other people of various heights lifting weights that being tall or short can give an advantage when doing different exercises.

For example, imagine doing a bench press but with 3 foot long forearms. As you bring the weight down to your chest the angle of your arm from your shoulder to your elbow would be much greater than if your forearms were 6 inches long. It seems like that would have a huge affect on the amount of weight you can lift.

It really comes down to leverage. I've heard short guys complain that it must be easier for tall people to lift weights, but I think it's just not true. It seems to depend on the exercise. Maybe it's true for some, but just the opposite for others.

For this reason, among others, you can't really compare the amount of weight you can lift with anyone else of a different height.

 

[Red Dawn]

Yeah guys with short Oompa Loompa arms seem to be able to do well with benching exercises but not so well with other exercises.

 

[paulxcook]

My bench would probably be stronger if I had short arms. Being tall/lanky is definitely not an advantage.

 

[rasczak]

agreed. I'm only 5'11 but my arms are long.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I've always thought I had to do more work than a shorter guy with less reach. I am moving the weight a greater distance rep after rep, adding up to more ft-lbs of work, right?

 

[Ricochet]

If you have longer arms and doing the same amount of weight, of course you do more work. Work = Force x distance. Greater distance travel result in greater work.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: ricochet
If you have longer arms and doing the same amount of weight, of course you do more work. Work = Force x distance. Greater distance travel result in greater work.

I was just expecting a comment about how grip width, and things like that, would potentially negate my "I did more work than j00!" comment.

 

[Spamela]

depends on the lift, but it's all about reducing the distance
you have to move the weight.

many great benchers have short arms & huge chests.
long arms are better for deadlift.
being tall is a disadvantage in the squat.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Spamela
depends on the lift, but it's all about reducing the distance
you have to move the weight.

many great benchers have short arms & huge chests.
long arms are better for deadlift.
being tall is a disadvantage in the squat.

Bingo, bingo and bingo.

 

[AgentZap]

Originally posted by: Spamela
depends on the lift, but it's all about reducing the distance
you have to move the weight.

many great benchers have short arms & huge chests.
long arms are better for deadlift.
being tall is a disadvantage in the squat.

100% agree

 

[presidentender]

Originally posted by: Spamela
depends on the lift, but it's all about reducing the distance
you have to move the weight.

many great benchers have short arms & huge chests.
long arms are better for deadlift.
being tall is a disadvantage in the squat.

Yep! I'm 6 ft tall, and I have big long ape arms and giraffe femurs. I suck at squats, and my bench (while good for what I weigh) is pathetic compared to what I can do on back and bis and especially deads.

 

[Woosta]

My bench is lame, I can only do about 160 (I'm 6'2 150 lbs) for 8 reps, 3 sets