# Do you like to lift or carry heavy things? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355 "2011-09-15T02:01:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/21 "2011-09-16T01:54:57Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I do it for fun! No, seriously. Where do you live? Thanks for the offer! I’m the end, I schlepped it all back to Home Depot myself, got new block, unloaded it, carried it to its final resting place, the whole bit. But next time I’m calling you first! ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/22 "2011-09-16T05:00:49Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I’m a woman…check my other posts on this thread. > I can’t tell who’s male and who is female for the most part here. > > PS, you don’t “have to” “help your sister and every other woman in your life.” You can say no. A tiny, lightweight, short yet very effective little word. 😃 Fair enough. But I like to help out if someone I care about asks for my help or needs a (dead, one hopes) body buried. Oh, I did feature your posts just now – you are one hoss woman! Way to go! That’s pretty kick-ass. Still not sure why **Rhubarbarin** is carrying her BF around like a “giant baby” – but it’s an impressive feat as well. Odd, but impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/23 "2011-09-16T19:42:44Z")
I dislike lifting weights, but actually kind of enjoy carrying heavy shit that actually needs to get from point A to point B. The weight lifting is just boring and feels kind of pointless, but I feel accomplished when I unload a bunch of lumber or something. ---
**Author:** ![Cryptic\_C62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cryptic\_C62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptic_C62)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/24 "2011-09-16T19:53:22Z")
As someone who has been doing technical theater for a number of years, I really enjoy the process of figuring out the logistics of moving and storing objects, particularly the weird things. I have a very fond memory of striking props at a nearby theater when I was 16 or 17 years old. The union carpenters had already left, and the in-house props people had no idea how to extricate a particularly unwieldy antique dresser from the theater. I took the lead and started spitting out a plan without any second thought: “Alright, you’re going to tip it this way towards me. Joanie, slide that dolly under it whenever you can.” _beams with pride_ That said, I also enjoy the physical act of moving stuff. I like being reminded that strength is not a vestigial organ. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/25 "2011-09-16T20:21:29Z")
Absolutely not, especially if it hurts my soft womanly hands. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/26 "2011-09-16T20:34:17Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Fair enough. But I like to help out if someone I care about asks for my help or needs a (dead, one hopes) body buried. > > Oh, I did feature your posts just now – you are one hoss woman! Way to go! That’s pretty kick-ass. > > Still not sure why **Rhubarbarin** is carrying her BF around like a “giant baby” – but it’s an impressive feat as well. Odd, but impressive. I don’t own the heavy weights I would like to, so I use him to challenge myself. I also do squats with him riding piggyback. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/27 "2011-09-16T21:30:18Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I don’t own the heavy weights I would like to, so I use him to challenge myself. I also do squats with him riding piggyback. That’s worth its own thread, for sure: with a YouTube link, naturally! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/28 "2011-09-16T22:04:31Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I don’t own the heavy weights I would like to, so I use him to challenge myself. I also do squats with him riding piggyback. You have a real gift. Does everyone at your job pick up giant wheels of cheese that weigh almost as much as they do? (How big is a 90# cheese wheel, BTW?) Most people could train like fiends for years and not reach your strength to weight ratio, particularly when it comes to objects like cheese wheels which, presumably, don’t come with conveniently placed handles. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/29 "2011-09-16T22:52:46Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > You have a real gift. Does everyone at your job pick up giant wheels of cheese that weigh almost as much as they do? (How big is a 90# cheese wheel, BTW?) Most people could train like fiends for years and not reach your strength to weight ratio, particularly when it comes to objects like cheese wheels which, presumably, don’t come with conveniently placed handles. Haha, I’m not gifted! I wish. I think most people just aren’t motivated to ever really train at lifting. It’s amazing what even very small, skinny people can gain in strength with any sort of focused, regular weight training. I’ve been really half-assed with lifting for months now, honestly, and I lost most of the muscle I had put on. But I’m still twice as strong as I was a few years ago. [According to Crossfit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/www.crossfit.com/cf-journal/WLSTANDARDS.pdf), I have no impressive abilities. Except for squats (where I am ‘Advanced’ based on being able to squat BF - however it’s totally different trying to balance a barbell across your shoulder girdle when you are as bony as I am, I doubt I could do a real barbell squat with that weight), I qualify as Novice or Intermediate at all the big lifts. I have proportionately strong legs and core, but weak shoulders and arms that are prone to injuries. However, considering the fact that I have a BMI of 16 currently makes me feel a bit more diesel. An 80-100 lb cheese wheel is at most a foot tall and 16"+ across, I think? I stand the wheel on end, then squat down and lift while bracing and sliding it up my legs, to eventually brace on my pelvis so I can walk with it. Like a very awkward deadlift. And no one at my job except me and my (male) manager picks up the heaviest cheeses, no. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/30 "2011-09-16T23:05:07Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > [According to Crossfit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/www.crossfit.com/cf-journal/WLSTANDARDS.pdf), I have no impressive abilities. Except for squats (where I am ‘Advanced’ based on being able to squat BF - however it’s totally different trying to balance a barbell across your shoulder girdle when you are as bony as I am, I doubt I could do a real barbell squat with that weight), I qualify as Novice or Intermediate at all the big lifts. Usually, or based on the gyms I’ve been in, the squatting bar has a foamy-cushy thing that you can fasten around it, making it more comfortable; then, too people use their towels as well. Looks like an interesting link, I’ll have to check that out. Actually I did, and it didn’t work, but I suspect a typo somewhere. If you want it fixed let me know, but either way I’m sure it’s easy enough to go to their homepage and start from there. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/31 "2011-09-18T14:21:19Z")
Do I like it? No. But am I glad to do it to help out a patient? Sure. ---
**Author:** ![MemoryDump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@MemoryDump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MemoryDump)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/32 "2011-09-19T03:34:19Z")
Since High School PE, I have never seen the point of working hard doing calisthenics, lifting weights or running around a 1/4 mile circle and not having anything to show for it when I’m done. I would much rather work hard and accomplish something useful. That said, in the middle of my 7th decade, I’m all about using good sense, leverage and the occasional wheel to accomplish what needs to get done. (Durn whippersnappers, let me get that corner!) ---
**Author:** ![tim\_duncan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@tim\_duncan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim_duncan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/33 "2012-03-28T15:48:15Z")
Whoops, I just realized this is an old topic that came up in my search. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/34 "2012-03-28T17:27:34Z")
No. People always say to lift with your knees, but my knees are in way worse shape than my back. So inevitably I end up lifting with my back to protect my knees, and I don’t like pain. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355/35 "2012-03-29T00:04:42Z")
Weights, yes. Furniture, only if there are no stairs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-to-lift-or-carry-heavy-things/596355.md?page=1)