# You're sitting on the floor. Can you get up without using your hands? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637 "2014-11-04T16:36:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [November 4, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/1 "2014-11-04T16:36:52Z")
You’re sitting on the floor, in whatever manner you choose. Can you get to a standing position without touching the floor or anything else? ---
**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:** [November 4, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/2 "2014-11-04T16:44:11Z")
Not even gonna try. Sorry. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/3 "2014-11-04T16:45:19Z")
No sweat. I sat cross-legged, clasped my hands in front of me, and got up right away. It seemed like having strong hamstrings was the key. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/4 "2014-11-04T16:51:41Z")
Unless one has a physical ailment of some sort, I’m not sure what can possibly be hard about it. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/5 "2014-11-04T16:53:24Z")
Yes, did it about 4,000x this weekend patching and sanding drywall. Quads are a little sore but other than that no sweat. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/6 "2014-11-04T16:56:19Z")
Practiced this in martial arts. I can still do it with my hands up in a guard but it ain’t pretty. There would be huffing and wheezing involved and my face might glow red for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/7 "2014-11-04T16:57:11Z")
I don’t even see how it’s possible. My BMI is normal, and I’m in decent shape but the physics of it seem impossible. I don’t know how to elevate my centre of gravity without pushing on something with my hands, or at least one hand. OK. If I sit with my feet out at my sides, behind me, the way that most young children sit on the floor to watch TV, etc. then I can stand up no problem. Otherwise it’s not possible. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/8 "2014-11-04T16:59:46Z")
I have to get on my knees first. I have had to do this many times while sitting on the floor with a baby and getting up quickly to answer a door or phone, with no time to safely put the baby down. But it isn’t pretty. And after working out yesterday, there is no freaking way I am going to try it right now. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/9 "2014-11-04T16:59:51Z")
I voted easily, but does going up on one knee count, or are you saying just unfolding and standing up? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/10 "2014-11-04T17:04:30Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t even see how it’s possible. My BMI is normal, and I’m in decent shape but the physics of it seem impossible. I don’t know how to elevate my centre of gravity without pushing on something with my hands, or at least one hand. > > OK. If I sit with my feet out at my sides, behind me, the way that most young children sit on the floor to watch TV, etc. then I can stand up no problem. Otherwise it’s not possible. Nonsense. Sitting cross legged, I can bring myself to a standing position without putting a hand on the ground. Or barely moving my feet, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/11 "2014-11-04T17:11:28Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Nonsense. Sitting cross legged, I can bring myself to a standing position without putting a hand on the ground. Or barely moving my feet, for that matter. I don’t see how. I would need to levitate. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/12 "2014-11-04T17:16:40Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t see how. I would need to levitate. It can take some practice, and you need to have some leg strength. I used to be able to do it, but that was many years and many pounds ago. Basically, you sit cross-legged, then sort of throw your weight forward while at the same time levering upward with your legs still crossed. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/13 "2014-11-04T17:18:14Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Not even gonna try. Sorry. OK, I felt bad about not even trying. So I tried. And got mauled by my dogs, who thought I was initiating playtime. So I took them outside and threw a tennis ball for a while. No problem throwing the tennis ball. Getting up from the floor without hands was tricky, but I eventually did it. I’m taking the rest of the day off. _With_ pay. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/14 "2014-11-04T17:18:46Z")
I’m 60 and I can do it easily. While sitting cross-legged, I extend my right leg to the side, shift my weight forward and rise to my left knee, then stand up, all with my arms folded across my chest. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/15 "2014-11-04T17:25:56Z")
Yep. 55yo, not as easy as it used to be but sure. Spent the better part of the day on my mom’s roof last weekend on my ass cleaning out her gutters. Legs are a bit tired, but they are still there. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/16 "2014-11-04T17:26:06Z")
Won’t do it anymore, my knees can’t take the strain. I used to be able to pop up from most sitting positions, although I’d use my arms if they weren’t otherwise occupied. ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/17 "2014-11-04T17:28:17Z")
It’s funny - I’m only 36, BMI 22 and I do physical work and I just can’t do it. Not sure if it is because I’m very tall (6’6") or because I’ve never been very flexible or what but no matter how much I try I can’t get up without using my hands. 😕 ETA: If I’m on my knees then it’s easy but that doesn’t count as sitting, really. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/18 "2014-11-04T17:32:56Z")
Yep. It’s not pretty tho. I am very fat but very strong. I had to do it in martial arts, but never did it the “right” way. I did it the “better than nothing” way. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/19 "2014-11-04T17:36:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It can take some practice, and you need to have some leg strength. I used to be able to do it, but that was many years and many pounds ago. Basically, you sit cross-legged, then sort of throw your weight forward while at the same time levering upward with your legs still crossed. OK. I can do it. Sort of a combination of what you describe and then getting up on one knee. It’s all in the technique. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/20 "2014-11-04T17:39:47Z")
If we can get on one knee, then it was easy for me. I didn’t try without going to a knee first. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637.md?page=2)