Does overhead press stunt growth?

Author: Mr. Rashawn Nienow  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

The short answer: no. But there are some caveats to keep in mind for teens looking to begin weight training, according to Carol Mack, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., strength coach and doctor of physical therapy. "There's no evidence that weight lifting stunts growth," she said.

Does overhead press stunt height?

No. There is no scientific evidence to prove that weightlifting or power lifting stunts growth, according to research and experts. “It's definitely a myth — something like how people believe that doing exercises like swimming or even playing basketball makes you taller,” says Sangappa.

Do shoulder exercises stunt growth?

No, shoulder workouts will not stop the growth of one's height. Height is largely determined by genetics and is not affected by any kind of exercise or workout.

Is shoulder press good for growth?

There is no evidence that overhead shoulder presses stunt growth. In fact, overhead shoulder presses can be beneficial for overall growth and development. Overhead shoulder presses help to build strong shoulders, which can in turn help to support proper posture and alignment.

Does lifting above your head stunt growth?

"There's no evidence that weightlifting stunts growth", she said.

How to Overhead Press MORE: 5 tips to increase your overhead press

Does lifting heavy at 14 stunt growth?

However, there is no research or data that shows this to be true. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concluded in 2008 that contrary to what many believe, proper strength training does not stunt growth.

What can stunt your growth?

Some medical conditions that may cause short stature include:
  • Chronic conditions that affect major organs or body systems such as: Anemia. ...
  • Genetic conditions such as: ...
  • Endocrine disorders such as: ...
  • Medicines taken for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Prematurity or low birth weight.

Is a 135 lb overhead press good?

It turns out that if you can lift 135 pounds overhead, you're stronger than most guys who have been lifting all their lives. A 225-pound overhead press is even more impressive. Even among the guys who have been lifting for over a decade, only 2% of them have ever pressed 225 pounds overhead.

Are the shoulders hard to grow?

Growing big shoulders isn't easy – so you really need to challenge them to force them to work harder! You'll also want to make sure you are hitting all the major muscle groups of the shoulder to develop an equal top half.

Is overhead press safe?

If you warm-up properly, do rotator cuff exercises regularly and don't neglect to also train complimentary upper back muscles and lift with good form, you should be able to overhead press without problems.

What exercises don't stunt growth?

"There's no evidence that weight lifting stunts growth," she said. "In fact, resistance training can help build coordination and strength in young athletes, and there's a strong push right now for young female athletes to lift weights in the hope that it may offer more injury prevention.

Does caffeine stunt your growth?

There is no evidence that caffeine consumption can directly stunt growth. “Caffeine does not meaningfully impact how tall a child gets,” according to pediatric endocrinologist Roy Kim. While coffee can have an appetite suppressant effect, a tie between that and hindered growth has never been proven.

Do push-ups stop height growth?

Wondering which exercises stop height growth? The answer is there are no effective exercises to stop height growth. There is absolutely no shred of scientific evidence to prove that any exercise stops height growth.

At what age should I stop lifting heavy weights?

If you are currently in your 50s or 60s and have been lifting weights for many years, then it is likely that you will be able to continue doing so for many years to come. However, if you are in your 70s or older or have not been lifting weights for very long, you may need to start considering stopping.

What is the easiest muscle to grow?

Here are three specific examples of muscles considered the easiest to build.
  • Biceps and Triceps. The biceps and triceps are the main muscles in your upper arm, with the triceps being the arm's largest muscle. ...
  • Latissimus Dorsi. ...
  • Quadriceps. ...
  • Calves and Forearms. ...
  • Abdominal Muscles. ...
  • Hamstrings.

What age do shoulders stop growing?

The final phase of skeletal growth in boys is a broadening of the chest and shoulders. This generally finishes around the age of 20.

Is 170 lb bench press good?

Men should aim to bench press their body weight as a starting point. Women should aim for half to three-quarters of their body weight. A man weighing 170 lbs should aim for a 170 lbs bench press. A reasonable goal for a woman weighing 140 lbs is a 70-105 lbs bench press.

What is the 1 rep max?

One-repetition maximum (one-rep max or 1RM) in weight training is the maximum amount of weight that a person can possibly lift for one repetition. It may also be considered as the maximum amount of force that can be generated in one maximal contraction.

What weight is military press?

The average Military Press weight for a male lifter is 142 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift. What is a good Military Press? Male beginners should aim to lift 69 lb (1RM) which is still impressive compared to the general population.

How do I tell if I stunted my growth?

What are the signs and symptoms of stunting in children?
  1. Has a shorter body than his age.
  2. Weight does not increase, even tends to decrease.
  3. Experiencing developmental delays according to his age.
  4. Children become more susceptible to various infectious diseases.
  5. Having intellectual impairment later in life.

Will I grow taller at 17 male?

“Males can keep growing as long as their growth plates haven't closed, which usually happens by age 18,” explains pediatrician Joshua Coleman, MD. “But in rare cases, guys can grow a little more into their early 20s.”

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