Last updated on December 11, 2024
Question:
Hello Sir,
I was just wondering how much the typical boy grows in stage 3. We know that from stage 4 onwards, a boy will grow 1 to 3 inches, but since there was no definite answer for how much a guy grows on average [or typical amount] in the 2 years of being in stage 3, I was wondering.
Say a guy grows about 9 inches in the 2 years of stage 3. Will he grow more in stage 4 than if he grew only 5 inches in the 2 years of stage 3? Does how much we grow in stage 3 affect how much we grow in stage 4?
Do limbs grow in stage 4, too? Of course, the torso does, but do the limbs grow at least a bit, if not much?
Does a few chest hairs indicate me being in stage 5? Or stage 4? If I have only a few scanty hairs that are soft and barely visible[vellus hairs]? I have had vellus hair for nearly 10 months now. Before that, I did not even have that. Both sides of my family are of a hairy lineage. Does it indicate that I am getting a tanner score around 4.1 to 4.2, or would you expect a score rather higher or lower?
By the way, I am still growing in height, though not as noticeably as the previous year when it was most rapid. I grew 4.5 cm so far during my 16th year, and I still have two months to reach 17.
Is this a good time to build muscles? I can see my muscles getting bigger, but not as expected, maybe only somewhat more than six months ago. When might I get noticeably muscular? I am asking this only for my personal well-being and as an active person.
Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my questions!
Answer:
The average boy grows 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) during the two years they spend in stage 3, but the actual range varies quite a bit. A boy who grows rapidly during stage 3 tends to put on more inches during stage 4. A boy who grows to a lesser degree tends to put on fewer inches during stage 4.
Your limbs do continue to grow during stage 4, but the growth is less dramatic than during stage 3.
When discussing hair, I always refer to terminal hair. That you have a few long vellus hairs indicates that your body is starting to gear up to produce chest hair, but it isn’t ready yet. A few vellus hairs on the chest can show up anywhere from late stage 3 to late stage 4.
You can always build muscle strength. However, muscle size won’t increase dramatically until late stage 4 and into adulthood. Since you are near the start of stage 4, I would not expect to see dramatic muscle sizes for at least a year.
Response:
Thanks for the quick response, sir! I understand now!