Many height exercises claim that by lengthening the spine and stretching your limbs, your bones will actually grow longer. In order to understand why these methods don't work, it's good to know how the body grows.

When you are younger, much of your bone mass is composed of a flexible substance called cartilage. As you grow, much of your cartilage gradually melds together to form solid, adult bones. Growth plates, which are pieces of cartilage located on the ends of long bones, are what causes growth spurts in most children.

However, what the people who sell height exercise tapes to you don't want you to know is that once your bones are done growing, there is absolutely nothing short of surgery that will make them longer.

However, if your body is done growing, don't lose hope. There are many different ways to improve your appearance and bone health as well.

Your wardrobe is an important factor when it comes to your height. By wearing dark colors and vertical stripes, you can make yourself look taller and thinner. High heeled shoes and boots can also help increase your height.

Believe it or not, your posture also affects your height. While it can't physically make you taller, sitting up straight not only makes you appear taller, but it gives you a mien of alertness and confidence as well. Incidentally, having poor posture can make you look even smaller than you are now.

While height exercises can't do anything to increase your height, having a steady workout regimen can not only help keep your posture perfect, but having a slim, muscular body can make looking taller easier.

In extreme cases, you can even have surgery to lengthen your bones. This is done by creating gaps in the bone and installing plates to allow the bone to re-grow in the space between. However, this should never be done lightly.