Proportions After Limb Lengthening

The main concern I always hear is how Leg Lengthening will throw off the symmetry that everybody wants to keep. Well, based on some recent research, longer legs may actually be more favorable.

So we’re gonna go over the reason behind why symmetrical body proportions are desired, how to figure out your different body length ratios, how leg lengthening will affect these ratios and should this matter to you?

Why be proportional?

So first up, why is ideal proportion such a coveted aspect when it comes to humans. Well this goes way back to Vitruvian Man that Leonardo Da Vinci created to highlight the ideal proportions of the human body. In short, it’s just more appealing to the eye...a head turner if you will.

There are studies that show positive correlations between ideal proportions and attractiveness. Meaning the more proportional you are, you’re perceived as more attractive and will have more of a “Halo-Effect” meaning people view you in a more positive manner. This could translate to having more success in your career, a higher socioeconomic status, an easier time attracting a mate, and so on.

So if having better proportion means improved attractiveness...

How do you determine what’s proportional?

There are a lot of different body ratio terms, but I’m going to focus on the main 3.

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1. Leg to Body Ratio (LBR)
2. Arms to Body Ratio (ABR)
3. Interlimb Ratio (IR)

The LBR is your leg length (femur length + tibial length) / body height (how tall you are). The average LBR is about 0.5 giver or take.

The ABR is your arm length (humerus length + forearm length) / body height. The average ABR is about 0.35 or so.

The IR is the lower aspect of your limb / upper aspect of your limb. (Ex: tibia / femur) or (forearm / humerus). 

Although the IR is the ratio that people usually focus on when thinking of proportion, in the overall scheme of things it’s a bit misleading because of the fact it compares your leg segments to each other and your arm segments to each other.

And no one can fairly judge your true body proportion by looking only at your legs or only at your arms.

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Now, without having to go too deep into the research on the topic of favorable male limb ratios, the data suggests a slightly higher than average LBR is seen as more desirable.

So what does this mean? This means that slightly longer legs, in relation to your body height, is seen as more attractive whereas the ABR and IR weren’t nearly as significant. 

This is great news when you consider the question at hand which is...

How does Leg Lengthening Play into all of this?

So by getting longer legs from LL you may actually be gaining a more favorable proportion as it relates to attractiveness. 

Now, if you have really long legs to begin with in relation to that LBR, then if you get Leg Lengthening on top, you could potentially skew your ideal proportions.

But no worries, as the studies also suggest that by adding more muscle to your frame you could give the illusion and distract from any potential proportional imbalances.

And, unless you’re going for an ultra high level physique competition or you’re a runway fashion model, then it’s very unlikely it’ll ever be that important.

But even for myself who does compete in high level pro natural bodybuilding, my legs are relatively short in comparison to my arms by just looking at pictures. So, I filled out a bit and it made the physique flow much better.

And another calming fact is most people don’t have super long legs to begin with so LL could help.

But even if your proportions were skewed a bit, getting a bit taller is >>>>> more important than having perfectly ideal proportions in the overall scheme of things. 

I mean based on what some doctors I’ve talked to said, a lot of their patients forget all about proportions post-Op so don’t let not looking like the Vitruvian Man be the major factor to hold you back.