Discover your body's vertical balance | Elements of Image (2024)

Discover your body's vertical balance | Elements of Image (1)

We spend a lot of time learning how todress for ourbody types. As a whole, this information has to do with balancing your body horizontally; however, it’s just as important to balance your figure vertically…in other words, dressing a short torso or a long torso.

In my many years as a Denver image consultant, I’ve seen very few women who have the perfect vertical proportion. Most women either have a short torso with long legs or a long torso with shorter legs.

For the very most flattering, slimming look, it’s just as important to dress your body vertically as it is to dress for your “body type.” When your legs are short, you tend to look shorter than you are, even if you’re average (or taller) height. You’ll look taller and slimmer by balancing your vertical proportions.

If your legs are extra long and your torso is short, you can appear top heavy potentially with a thick looking middle—by elongating the appearance of your torso, you look less bulky and hence slimmer.

Ah, but how do you know if you have a short or long torso? Much of the time it’s intuitive, but if not here are a few simple ways to determine if you’re short waisted or long waisted.

  1. In your birthday suit or bra and panties, take a look at your body in a full-length mirror. Does your torso seem to go on and on while your legs seem a bit short or are your legs long while your body seems a bit “scrunched” from your shoulders to your waist? If it’s the former, you have a long torso. The latter indicates a short torso.
  2. Should the measurement from the top of your head to your leg break be equal to the length from your leg break to the floor be the same, you are vertically balanced. Most likely you’ve been scratching your head at this post so far wondering what the big deal is!
  3. If you’re still unsure, bend over to your side. Put a tape measure or tie a ribbon around the spot where you bend…that’s your waist. (Where your belly button is, isn’t usually your waist.) Now, does your marker seem high or low on your body? High ribbon = short waist/low ribbon = long waist.

Discover your body's vertical balance | Elements of Image (3)

If you’re still uncertain, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do your blouses always come untucked?
  • If you’re over 5’8”, do you still have to hem regular length pants? (Have you ever tried on petite sized pants to avoid the alteration?)
  • If you answered yes to these questions, chances are highly likely you have a long torso and shorter legs.

OR

  • Are regular length pants sometimes too short?
  • Do your tops bunch up (usually visible from the back) around your middle? Or are you naturally averse to tucking tops into your pants/skirts?
  • If you answered yes to this set of questions, most likely you have a short torso and long legs.

Now what?

Are you short waisted? Check out this post, Six Style Tips for Short Waisted Women. It’s a good one!

Long waisted? This post is all about dressing to make your legs appear longer and your torso shorter—evening you out and giving the optical illusion of the perfect proportions, no matter what your size and shape!

If you’re petite and short waisted, check out your style tips right here.

You’ll want to read this post if you’re petite and long waisted.

Before You Go…

Discover your body's vertical balance | Elements of Image (4)

Before you go..Download The Ultimate #SHOPYOURSHAPE Guide

At Last, a complete resource with all the stores with sizes and proportions to fit your unique shape!

No matter what your body type, in this guide, you'll find more shops and sites than you ever knew existed... that cater to just your size, height and shape!

Discover your body's vertical balance | Elements of Image (2024)

FAQs

How do you determine your vertical body type? ›

The most accurate way to determine your vertical shape is to measure your full height and the height to your low hip-line (your low hip-line is the circumference around your hips where your bottom is fullest) and determine where your hip-line comes in relation to your height.

What is the vertical in your body? ›

Vertical proportions are the relation of your body parts to each other and as a whole. The length of your legs compared to your upper body, your waistline, your head size and neck length all factor into vertical proportion.

How do you dress a balanced vertical body? ›

I have a balanced body.

Opt for accessories that draw the eye up towards the face and shoulders, medium-long tops, untucked tops, same-colored tops and bottoms, tops and dresses that flow through the waist, narrow or no waistbands, straight and flared skirts, straight or flared pants.

What muscles determine your vertical? ›

The optimal distribution of leg muscles for vertical jumping produces a configuration in which muscle volume is gained in the gastrocnemius, vastus, and hamstrings.

What is the average female vertical? ›

Generally speaking, the average vertical jump for both men and women tends to be around 20-30 inches tall.

How do you find the vertical line of Kibbe? ›

You won't be looking from the right angle and neither will anyone else. So don't go and ask someone to guess your vertical line. The best way to determine your vertical line is by taking a picture of yourself at chest-level. And then check if your head looks small or big in relation to the rest of your body.

Which body type is best for female? ›

Hourglass body shape is the most popular and desired body shape by women for which they practise extensive exercises and workouts. This body shape is all about equal hips and bust measurements and waists narrower than bust and hips.

How do you build a balanced body? ›

Easy ways to improve your balance
  1. Walking, biking, and climbing stairs strengthen muscles in your lower body. ...
  2. Stretching loosens tight muscles, which can affect posture and balance.
  3. Yoga strengthens and stretches tight muscles while challenging your static and dynamic balance skills.
May 6, 2021

What body shape has love handles? ›

Diamond shape: This body shape is also called apple shaped. You have this body shape if your waist is undefined and you have 'love handles'.

How do you determine your body shape? ›

Body shape is based on the relationship between three points on your body: your shoulders/bust, waist and hips. Draw an imaginary line down from your shoulders to your hips and make a mental note of where the line hits. It can be helpful to snap a quick mirror pic for reference if you're having a hard time visualizing.

What is the golden rule body proportions? ›

This led to the development of a set of measurements that led in turn to the ratio 1: 1.618, which is now often called “The Golden Ratio.” The Golden Ratio is a number that shows up all over the human body, for example the length of the arms and legs divided by the length of the torso.

What are examples of body balance? ›

Standing with your weight on one leg and raising the other leg to the side or behind you. Putting your heel right in front of your toe, like walking a tightrope. Standing up and sitting down from a chair without using your hands.

What does a balanced body look like? ›

The balanced body

You height from your hipline to the ground is equal to half your full height. Your waist is equal to your bent elbow. The short segments (bust-to-hip and hip-to-knee) are similar in length as are the long segments (head-to-bust and knee-to-floor).

Does strength help with vertical? ›

It is important to have adequate strength to begin a vertical jumping program. The muscles of the lower extremity must be able to produce enough force to generate the power to propel your body off the ground.

What makes you jump higher? ›

When it comes to the vertical jump, force is the maximum amount of strength that someone has, and velocity is the maximum amount of speed someone has. If you increase your strength and your velocity (in ratio to your body weight), then your vertical jump will improve.

Why can't I jump high? ›

Add cross-sectional area (CSA) to your muscles.

Lighter, leaner people tend to jump higher because they can create more velocity and more force relative to their body weight, So, you can be as strong as a truck, but if you're also as slow as a truck, that's going to make it hard to leave the ground.

What is a good vertical for a woman? ›

Vertical Jump Norm Table
malesfemales
rating(inches)(inches)
excellent> 28> 24
very good24 - 2820 - 24
above average20 - 2416 - 20
4 more rows

Can everyone get a 30 inch vertical? ›

The truth is your genetics do dictate your potential to jump. Muscle fiber type and CNS efficiency are just two examples of traits that will ultimately determine how high you can jump, both of which are nearly impossible to see just by looking at someone. Not everyone can have a 30 inch vertical, much less a 40 or 50.

Who has the highest vertical in history? ›

If at all there was a player who could justify or even top the moniker 'His Airness', it is Michael Jordan. Jordan tops our list of players with the highest vertical leap of 48 inches. This to go along with a hangtime of 0.92 seconds.

What foods increase vertical? ›

Low fat meats, fruits, vegies and salads. Eating unprocessed healthy foods will decrease your body fat while at the same time improving your health. These foods are high in Vitamin C, a powerful building block and protein.

Will my vertical increase with age? ›

Vertical jumping power declines with advancing age, which is theoretically explicable by loss of muscle mass and increases in body fat.

What is the emotion of vertical line? ›

Vertical lines often communicate a sense of height because they are perpendicular to the earth, extending upwards toward the sky. In this church interior, vertical lines suggest spirituality, rising beyond human reach toward the heavens.

What is a dramatic body type? ›

Body Type: The dramatic is straight and angular, however, it can have long or sleek muscular development (sinewy or lithe.) Typically they have long legs and arms. They can appear narrow in width. Bone Structure: Angular, with sharp edges. Square shoulders are typical (they can be narrow).

What is the rarest female body type? ›

What is the rarest body type? The hourglass body shape is the rarest body shape as it requires equal bust/shoulder and hip proportions with a dramatically smaller waist size. While this body type is frequently coveted, ideal body shapes are always changing and one body shape should never be looked at as superior.

How do endomorphs eat? ›

Foods to eat on the endomorph diet

The endomorph diet plan emphasizes foods that are high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs (and low in simple carbs), including: Proteins: beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, salmon. Dairy: yogurt, milk, cottage cheese. Fruits: low-carb fruits like berries, melons, avocados.

Who has the most beautiful body shape in the world? ›

IT'S long been thought that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but science believes model, actress and TV presenter Kelly Brook is still the world's most perfect figure.

Can poor balance be improved? ›

A combination of activities such as walking, strength training, and specific workouts can improve balance and prevent falls, especially in older adults. Walking helps build lower-body strength, an important element of good balance.

How long does it take to build balance? ›

Can I Get Better Balance Faster? Your balance will not improve overnight, but may improve over just a few weeks. I encourage my patients to take balance training seriously for at least 3 to 4 weeks before expecting significant results.

How do you lose side belly fat? ›

17 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Love Handles
  1. Cut out Added Sugar. Share on Pinterest. ...
  2. Focus on Healthy Fats. Filling up on healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds and fatty fish can help slim your waistline. ...
  3. Fill up on Fiber. ...
  4. Move Throughout the Day. ...
  5. Stress Less. ...
  6. Lift Weights. ...
  7. Get Enough Sleep. ...
  8. Add in Whole-Body Moves.
Feb 14, 2023

Are love handles hip or belly fat? ›

“Love handles” are areas of skin that extend outward from the hips. When combined with tight clothing, love handles can become more pronounced, but they aren't caused by tight clothes alone. They indicate excess fat accumulation around the hips and abdominal area.

What causes side belly fat? ›

Causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of problems associated with it.

What body type do men prefer? ›

Men prefer a woman who has less body fat and more muscle than that. She'll still weigh a fairly regular amount, but she'll be significantly fitter and more muscular than average, with a leaner waist, stronger hips, and broader shoulders.

What is considered the best body shape? ›

Top hourglass body shape

Considered to be the most attractive body shape, this is very similar to hourglass body shape, except that in this case the curves are more defined.

What does 36 24 36 mean? ›

A 36 24 36 figure is a type of hourglass figure.

The first is the bust, measured around the fullest point of the chest. The next measurement is the waist, which is the narrowest part of a relaxed torso. The final measurement is around the hips, the widest point below the waist when both feet are together.

What is the Adonis ratio for a woman? ›

This is also known as Adonis Index and is the most important ratio for the overall look of the body. A shoulder to waist ratio of 1.6 means that the shoulder circumference is 1.6 bigger than the waist circumference. In women, the ideal ratio is considered to be 1.4.

What are the most ideal body proportions? ›

This resulted in a formula of measurements which yield the ratio 1: 1.618, known as The Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio is number that shows up all over the human body, from the length of the arms and legs compared to the torso, and it seems to define what proportions look best; that is, most attractive.

What is the golden rule of smile? ›

Divine Proportion in Your Smile

Tooth Size: The golden rule of proportion exists from tooth to tooth. Your most visible teeth (front teeth through to the premolar) should be in divine proportion to one another. This means that the width of each tooth about 62% less than the tooth that precedes it.

What are the three types of BODYBALANCE? ›

The body has 3 balance systems that keep you upright and steady with sitting, standing, or walking and changing directions. These three balance systems are: the vision balance system, somatosensory balance system, and the vestibular balance system.

What are the five factors that balance a body? ›

Studies indicate that the following five factors make the biggest difference in overall health and wellness: 1) diet; 2) rest; 3) exercise; 4) posture; and 5) avoiding the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

What are the two types of BODYBALANCE? ›

There are two types of balance: static and dynamic. Static balance is maintaining equilibrium when stationary, while dynamic balance is maintaining equilibrium when moving. We use our eyes, ears and 'body sense' to help retain our balance.

How do you measure vertical balance? ›

Measure from the top of your head to your leg break - then from the leg break down to the floor then you will be able to decide whether you have a: BALANCED BODY - both measurements are roughly equal.

What brings body in balance? ›

The balance system relies on specialised motion-sensitive receptor cells in the inner ear. While obviously associated with hearing, the inner ear is also the shelter for balance. It has a labyrinthine structure, made up of a series of fluid-filled canals and ducts.

How do you know if you are mesomorph or endomorph? ›

Measure your hips, shoulders and the circumference of your wrist
  1. If your shoulders are narrower than your hips you are likely an ectomorph.
  2. If your shoulders are roughly the same width as your hips, you are likely a mesomorph.
  3. If your shoulders are wider than your hips, you are likely an endomorph.

What kind of body type do I have? ›

Body Shape Calculator & Measurements Chart
DescriptionWidest part
HourglassA well-defined waist with even hips and bustBust Hips
PearBottom-heavyHips
Inverted triangleTop-heavyShoulder Bust
RectangleEven measurements without much definitionShoulder Bust Waist Hip
1 more row
Aug 18, 2021

What foods should Endomorphs avoid? ›

Some examples of foods to limit or avoid on the endomorph diet include:
  • white bread, white rice, traditional pasta, and bagels.
  • candies, chocolates, and other sweets.
  • baked goods and cakes.
  • soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks.
  • refined cereals, such as bran flakes, instant oatmeal, and puffed rice.
Jun 27, 2019

Can Endomorphs get skinny? ›

“An endomorph has to be the strictest about their diet, including total calories and how many calories come from carbs, but if they do those things, they can slim down,” says Catudal.

How do endomorphs lose weight? ›

Endomorphs typically have a difficult time losing fat with diet alone, so a well-rounded fitness program is a must for those with an endomorph body type. Exercise is essential to boosting metabolism and must include both weight and cardio training.

What body type has big hips? ›

The pear body shape is characterised by large hips which are wider than the bust and shoulders. This makes the body appear like a pear shape.

How do I get a higher vertical? ›

10 Exercises to Improve Your Vertical Jump
  1. ½ Kneel to Single-Leg Hop. ...
  2. Drop Squats with Posterior Arm Throws. ...
  3. Broad Jump to High Jump. ...
  4. Lateral Bound to Jump. ...
  5. 180º Jumps. ...
  6. Back Leg Elevated Single-Leg Jumps. ...
  7. Tuck Jumps. ...
  8. Mountain Climbers.
May 25, 2023

What is the vertical jump test? ›

Performing the test

Extend the dominant arm and fingers vertically above your head. Assessor will then set your reach height to zero (0) on the test gauge. Crouch down, and using the arms and legs jumps as high as possible extending the dominant arm and tap the gauge "fins" to mark the jump height.

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