# 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:** 2
**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, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/21 "2014-11-04T17:42:42Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > 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. If you have long legs I can see that as a problem. I have tiny, short, stubby legs, not useful for much, but if I can get a little height off the floor I can get them under me and stand from that point. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/22 "2014-11-04T17:46:17Z")
I can do it by going up on one knee first. I tried just rolling forwards onto my feet with my knees drawn up, but I couldn’t get my centre of gravity far enough forwards for it to work. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/23 "2014-11-04T17:52:17Z")
Put me in the struggle category. It’s not a struggle from a strength point of view (though right now I’m recovering from an injury that would make it hard). The problem is that I have a lousy sense of balance, and I always have. I grew up on the coast of CA and never did manage to surf. Or skate, skateboard, ski, or waterski. If I’m allowed to brace my hands on my own knees, I’m probably fine, but in everyday life, I’ve learned to keep a hand on something. (Oh, and a funny anecdote from college: Once I was doing computer tech support and was down under a desk working on a computer. As I got up, I used my hands on the desk to help me up and some elderly asshole decided to go on a rant about the younger generation nowadays. I decided not to explain to him that, on my way up, my jeans had just about crushed one of my testicles and that if I were to kick him in the nuts, he probably wouldn’t be doing so well either.) ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/24 "2014-11-04T17:58:54Z")
It’s easy for me - I put most of the weight on my right leg and balance with the left. So if I’m sitting cross-legged, I’ll draw my right leg all the way in and put my foot on the floor (I guess this might be where flexibility comes in), then just unfold that leg while using the other not to topple over. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/25 "2014-11-04T18:05:26Z")
There was a time when I could go from sitting on the floor directly to a handstand. Now days I can just manage the standing up part. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/26 "2014-11-04T18:07:59Z")
Some of these descriptions make it sound like some complicated maneuver. From a cross-legged position the steps are: lean forward, stand up\*. \*ETA: When standing, there is a 180 degree rotation involved, but that just happens automatically. ---
**Author:** ![Recusant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@Recusant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recusant)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/27 "2014-11-04T18:10:01Z")
I weigh more than you, unless you are _very_ heavy or a mountain gorilla, and I can pull it off with little difficulty; though that likely stems from having leg muscles that got used to carrying around a body as massive as mine over multiple decades. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/28 "2014-11-04T18:21:00Z")
I can do it if I swing my legs around so I’m on my knees, but I can’t even picture how you people who go straight from sitting cross legged to standing are doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/29 "2014-11-04T18:22:12Z")
When I was in my 20s I used to be able to sit cross-legged and just stand up, turning on the balls of my feet as I rose and ending up facing the opposite direction. I could also sit down the same way only opposite. Just twist down and twist up. ---
**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, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/30 "2014-11-04T19:24:15Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > When I was in my 20s I used to be able to sit cross-legged and just stand up, turning on the balls of my feet as I rose and ending up facing the opposite direction. I could also sit down the same way only opposite. Just twist down and twist up. This is more the maneuver that I had in mind, rather than the roll onto your knees thing. 😃 Clearly I should be more specific. Getting onto knees didn’t even occur to me. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/31 "2014-11-04T19:27:24Z")
I can easily, but someone in my office couldn’t do it at all. And she is in good shape. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/32 "2014-11-04T19:34:25Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > 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. Same age, and mirror image of the same motions, since my left side is my dominant side (left-footed, left-handed, my left eye is the dominant eye, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/33 "2014-11-04T19:39:03Z")
51 here as of two days ago. I can do it with ease from a cross-legged position or any other sit down position on the floor. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/34 "2014-11-04T19:50:16Z")
It’s easier than I thought,and I’m 75 years old. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/35 "2014-11-04T21:03:24Z")
I just did a half-dozen of each to make sure. And just a couple hours ago I finished my deadlift day, so my legs already had already had their workout. From kneeling: trivial to raise 1 leg to put a foot down then lever the whole body upright. From cross-legged: trivial to scissor-jack directly to standing. I end up facing the original direction with my legs crossed at the ankles & feet close together. It’s even easier to lever up on to one knee and then stand from there. Sitting with both legs straight out in front: unable to stand directly, but trivial to draw one foot under the opposite thigh then stand directly up onto that foot. No hands or arm-waving required for any of this. I’m lean & strong, but I’m also no kid. I’m 56. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/36 "2014-11-04T21:38:07Z")
Ten years ago, I weighed a little more than I do now and I could stand up without using my hands from flat on my back with a beer bottle balanced on my forehead. And lie back down, no hands, never dropping the beer bottle. Life’s been a little rough on the joints. Sometimes I have trouble just getting up from an office chair with hands. It hurts to try and get ON the floor, much less back up. But my knees and hip make AWESOME racket walking down the hall. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/37 "2014-11-04T21:40:22Z")
> [@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. **This. Plus 1** If I’m sitting flat on the floor then I have to at least balance myself with one hand while getting on my knees. Then I can easily stand up. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/38 "2014-11-04T23:04:35Z")
I think I could…maybe. Provided my right knee didn’t give out right after exploding. If I did make it, at the very least I’d probably pay for it for a few weeks, so I’m not even trying it. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/39 "2014-11-04T23:13:24Z")
Yes, but it’s a struggle. I’m 67 if that means anything. ---
**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, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637/40 "2014-11-04T23:18:33Z")
> [@SandyHook](#): > > I’m 67 if that means anything. Fifteen percent off your check at Denny’s. ETA: sorry if that comes off snippy. Been stuck on the floor all freaking day. I’m prolly giving in and using my hands; just soiled myself. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-sitting-on-the-floor-can-you-get-up-without-using-your-hands/703637.md?page=3)