What a load of tosh ????

[Graham]

The other "fun" party trick is to rise up from a crossed-leg sitting position on the floor, to standing WITHOUT using your hands/arms to provide any upwards force.

Cyclists are usually pretty good at showing off with this one. [ EDIT : Not ] Recommended.

EDIT : I have just tried this and failed. You are getting old Mr Smart- . . . . . . . .

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

The other "fun" party trick is to rise up from a crossed-leg sitting position on the floor, to standing WITHOUT using your hands/arms to provide any upwards force.

Cyclists are usually pretty good at showing off with this one. [ EDIT : Not ] Recommended.

EDIT : I have just tried this and failed. You are getting old Mr Smart- . . . . . . . .

Just over 35 years ago I was about 11.5 - 12 stone and could do this with one leg
With my missus sitting on my lap facing me I managed it with both legs , No arms of course, and sitting on floor with legs out in front, you can use the other person as a counter balance, you need to rock a few times and pull you feet gradually under you, I only did it the once ever.

Nowadays it is just a memory.

P.S. she was 10.5 stone.

[mjr]

This is due to Martial Arts training though, I suspect most "normal people" would not be able to do it.

Long time since I did any. Are some effects permanent?

[Mick F]

Back to the pressups thing ..............

I can do any number of situps. No problem at all. I could keep going all day.
Pressups, maybe four or five max, even as a 20 year old.

Physiology is a mysterious thing.
Anyone remember the Ape Index thread?

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

Back to the pressups thing ..............

I can do any number of situps. No problem at all. I could keep going all day.
Pressups, maybe four or five max, even as a 20 year old.

Physiology is a mysterious thing.
Anyone remember the Ape Index thread?

I was going to say, If you have a good ape index then like me its probably easier.

Your not a secret recumbent rider are you? Its does nothing for upper arms and core muscles..............ah you can do situps

[chris3vic]

Yes, easily, both sides.

This is due to Martial Arts training though, I suspect most "normal people" would not be able to do it.

Not a problem for me, and I don't remember being an expert in Martial Arts...

[david7591]

Can do it easily one way, struggle the other

[Alan O]

Yes, I can do that quite easily with my arms either way (age 58). But then, I've always had unusually bendy arms - I can hold my arms out in front of me with my forearms touching all the way from elbow to wrist.

The other "fun" party trick is to rise up from a crossed-leg sitting position on the floor, to standing WITHOUT using your hands/arms to provide any upwards force

Yep, I can still do that quite easily too.

[700c]

Yes, easily, both sides.

This is due to Martial Arts training though, I suspect most "normal people" would not be able to do it.

Not a problem for me, and I don't remember being an expert in Martial Arts...

For *me* it's easy as this up/down arm thing is a standard warm-up in the Martial Art I partake of.
For you it's easy because of some different reason ...

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

Yes, I can do that quite easily with my arms either way (age 58). But then, I've always had unusually bendy arms - I can hold my arms out in front of me with my forearms touching all the way from elbow to wrist.

The other "fun" party trick is to rise up from a crossed-leg sitting position on the floor, to standing WITHOUT using your hands/arms to provide any upwards force

Yep, I can still do that quite easily too.

Try the one leg trick.
Stand on one leg.............sit on floor, just your foot no other part of your body must hit the ground before your bum.
Use other leg to get back to standing position.........same rules.

I am 58 but cant do it today but might put in some training...................

[eileithyia]

Yes; When I broke my collarbone and had subsequent frozen shoulder I could not move my arm behind my buttock let alone bend it up behind my back. I remember lamenting to my physio 'Would I ever be able to touch fingers again across my back' She attempted to demonstrate the move... could not do it.... but at least gave me the determination... I would beat my younger physio and get back full mobility.....

[Alan O]

Hi,
Try the one leg trick.
Stand on one leg.............sit on floor, just your foot no other part of your body must hit the ground before your bum.
Use other leg to get back to standing position.........same rules.

I am 58 but cant do it today but might put in some training...................

Nope, cant do that one

[661-Pete]

Another party trick. Don't worry, this one's quite safe - albeit un-do-able.

Ask a friend to stand with their back to a wall, with their heels together both touching the angle between the floor and the wall, no gap.

Now lay a £20 note on the floor a few inches in front of the friend's feet. Ask them to bend over, without moving their feet or bending their knees, and pick up the note. Explain that if they manage it, they can keep it.

Don't worry. Your £20 will be quite safe. Try it for yourself.

[Mick F]

I could possibly do it, but you need to define exactly what can and cannot be moved.

Just tried touching the floor using the criteria you have set, and I can do it without much effort.
How?
By turning to one side and even NOT moving my feet.

It's impossible to do it straight on, but by twisting, it can be done.
If you have a positive Ape Index, your fingers can touch the floor and one hand can move in front of your feet.

[Flinders]

Can't do the original post thing, nowhere near. But I have had 2 shoulder injuries over the years. I doubt I could have done it even before that though. I suppose if you have a broad back and shoulders (as I do for my height) it would be more difficult.

I reckon I'm not all that fit/strong, but someone was telling me how hard 'the plank' was. I got down and did it, no problem. Then they said, oh. Then, - bet you can't do it with just one arm. Then I said, oh, like this? Did it no problem. I'm not strong, presumably it's just my anatomy is right for it. Likewise touching toes. Being able to do it is supposed to mean you are supple. I'm as stiff as a board, but can touch my toes easily. I just have long arms and very short legs.