# Can someone please explain the Chair Lifting Phenomenon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 16, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-the-chair-lifting-phenomenon/195498 "2003-08-16T00:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Erinita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7feea3/32.png) [@Erinita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erinita)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-the-chair-lifting-phenomenon/195498/1 "2003-08-16T00:16:00Z")
Several years ago, a co-worker showed me this weird trick where you place a chair against a wall, then bend over at the waist and place the top of your head against the wall, then reach down and lift the chair off of the ground. If done correctly, only females should be able to successfully lift the chair. Men will struggle and simply not be able to lift the chair. I’ve tried to reproduce this scenario, only to look like an idiot when the guys are able to do it without a problem. I’m missing some kind of key element. I am hoping someone will be able to describe exaclty how to re-enact this phenomenon. Also, why does this happen? My guess is that it has something to do with the center of gravity and the difference in the shape of the pelvis between genders. Am I right? Thanks to anyone who can solve this teaser for me! - Erinita :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-the-chair-lifting-phenomenon/195498/2 "2003-08-16T00:27:14Z")
Wasn’t this on an episode of “All in the Family”? ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-the-chair-lifting-phenomenon/195498/3 "2003-08-16T00:34:35Z")
IIRC, it’s the lower center of gravity in women that allows this. I think it’s been covered here before. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-the-chair-lifting-phenomenon/195498/4 "2003-08-16T00:46:19Z")
Yup, [here it is.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=112006) ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-the-chair-lifting-phenomenon/195498/5 "2003-08-16T03:28:00Z")
I believe I’ve found women’s secret to this. Their feet are smaller in proportion to their body. The way this feat is usually attempted is by going three of your foot’s distance from the wall. If you shorten this distance slightly for a man, he can usually accomplish it, and if you increase this distance slightly for a woman, she can’t. Give it a try. Also, it’s usually tried while people are wearing shoes, and women love cramming their feet in shoes too small for them. I know a guy who has no toes and he can do it every time. OK, I made that last part up.