# How heavy is a thing that is heavy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2013, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631 "2013-09-25T06:59:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/21 "2013-09-25T16:44:43Z")
As heavy as a rather heavy thing, of course. I dunno. 50-75 pounds? Probably up to 100. Male, 6’1, 185ish, 34. I run, but I don’t even lift. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/22 "2013-09-25T17:11:28Z")
Female, 35, 5’4", 145 lb non-gym-goer I’d say 45 lbs, or slightly more than the weight of a 5-gallon water cooler jug, seems to be my limit to carry something in my arms and lift it up to cart-level. If I could sit on the floor and move the object around the room by pushing it with my legs, I could probably move about 100 pounds. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/23 "2013-09-25T17:54:48Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > Curious as to why you’re asking, **3trew**? A large part of my job is picking things up, and I also lift heavy things recreationally. People at work ask me if something is heavy, and I would like to get a general sense of what the answer should be, since mine seems to diverge from the mean. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/24 "2013-09-25T19:35:39Z")
50yo male, 5’8", 300lbs, but quite muscular for a fat guy. I recently loaded my cart with a dozen bags of concrete mix, at 80lbs each. I’m not in the mood to do it all day, but they were manageable. I can pick up my wife or daughter and throw them in the pool pretty easily, and they’re about 120 I think. They won’t say. :dubious: I’d say if I had to move a thing or three from here to there, I’d start asking for help at about a hundred pounds. Why strain yourself if there’s help? ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/25 "2013-09-25T19:39:48Z")
A 40lb bag of dog food is _not_ heavy. A 50lb bag of concrete mix _is_ heavy. An 80lb bag of concrete mix is _heavy_. For me, that would be the limit where a one-man job becomes a two-man job. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/26 "2013-09-25T19:49:43Z")
I like the idea of a range. I’d say heavy starts somewhere around 25 pounds, and the borderline for two-person lift would be somewhere around 75 pounds. Middle aged, reasonably fit, very handsome male. ---
**Author:** ![Elementall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@Elementall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elementall)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/27 "2013-09-25T20:29:42Z")
Oh well around 20-25 kilos give or take ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/28 "2013-09-25T22:38:27Z")
Assembled VW type 4 crankcase. I don’t know, maybe 80lb. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/29 "2013-09-25T22:48:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Hah! You weakling! I say 50 pounds. Male, 5’ 11", average build, dreamy brown eyes. Um, the 25gk is 55 pounds:p For me, I’d say the upper end of what I could lift now without calling for someone else would be 50kg (110 lb) Male, 48, 191cm and 100kg not exactly very fit anymore. The low end probably 10kg (22 lb) would be the easy one handed pick up and walk away. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/30 "2013-09-25T23:12:24Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > Um, the 25gk is 55 pounds:p First, it’s kg. Second, whoosh, I ain’t metric illiterate!😃 ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/31 "2013-09-26T04:26:58Z")
Can God create an object so heavy he couldn’t lift it? ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/32 "2013-09-26T04:38:07Z")
My ancient telly I could just lift, the word heavy would have been liberally bandied about when it was last moved. It must weigh 50-60 kg. I’m kind of tempted to try and find out how much now. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/33 "2013-09-26T04:39:46Z")
I don’t have to know how heavy it is; if I can’t move it by kicking it, it’s a two-person lift. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/34 "2013-09-26T09:35:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > \*\*First, it’s kg. \*\*Second, whoosh, I ain’t metric illiterate!😃 :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/35 "2013-09-26T10:38:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > First, it’s kg. Second, whoosh, I ain’t metric illiterate!😃 Yabbut now you’ve got us all wondering what’s the metric equivalent of dreamy brown eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/36 "2013-09-26T10:50:33Z")
A box or irregularly shaped object around 60 kg is where actually heavy starts. I could probably handle up to around 80 kg with difficulty, but I’d much rather have help if it’s awkwardly shaped or semi-slippery and breakable like a cardboard box. Something with handles or something resembling handles, probably about 100 kg would be okay to pick up, but not to walk any distance with; 3–5 m max, and I wouldn’t want to do it on a regular basis. Something like construction materials, it’s always better to have a partner. I am strong enough pick up a sheet of plywood, but no matter how much strength you have, it’s always awkward to deal with something long, or long and wide. Plus, you can’t see on one side, and you have to be very mindful of whacking things with the top or back of the damn thing. I can and have carried people heavier than me in a fireman’s carry. Stairs are not fun at all when you’re carrying double or more your weight. I’d be good for maybe a flight or two before I tell the unconscious person in the burning stairwell that they’re on their own, now, thanks. Or there’s always over the rail. Fast way down, though the bit at the end stings a bit. (Just kidding. I’d have to resort to dragging.) I’ve also established that I can run with one wife piggy-back for about 200 m before I want to slow down and catch my breath 🙂 Running for our lives might give me an incentive enough for another 100 m, but more than that and I’d be toast. Walking only, a good bit farther, though. Male, 175 cm, 73 kg, active and in good shape. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/37 "2013-09-26T11:41:55Z")
> [@cougar58](#): > > Can God create an object so heavy he couldn’t lift it? Over his head, or just off the ground? And which god? Yahweh, Heehaw, Thor, etc? > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Yabbut now you’ve got us all wondering what’s the metric equivalent of dreamy brown eyes. It’s a universal constant. Like Pi or C. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/38 "2013-09-26T12:00:11Z")
When I was younger I lifted 60 lb tubes of cheese at the pizza place where I worked. I carried a BBQ grill—and a table sewing machine once—up the stairs because that’s where my mother wanted them. I always had a lot of strength in my arms, but not my hands. If I “fwopped” a clean sheet across a mattress it could just as likely fly out of my hands and land in a heap on the other side. Now, as a senior with disabilities (not claimed), I go with the Social Security criteria “Can you lift 5 pounds?” Well, they’ve started selling sugar in 4 lb bags and I can still slide one into my cart. Does that count? So, heavy is slightly more than you can bear. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/39 "2013-09-27T02:13:21Z")
60 lb bags of concrete. I wanted 40 lb bags but they weren’t available. I was able to handle them OK, but at an earlier age, I would not have considered them as “heavy” 70 year old male, retired, physically active, but with the usual litany of complaints that my peers have… ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631/40 "2013-09-27T02:46:44Z")
I would say about 80 pounds is where it starts to get pretty “heavy” and about 120-130 pounds is my absolute limit. Male, 6 feet tall, 180 lbs, 27 years old, fairly attractive, and quite happily gay (but not single, sorry fellas). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-a-thing-that-is-heavy/669631.md?page=3)