Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How many of you can get off the floor...

146 replies

BillieEilish · 08/10/2019 12:13

without using your hands/a hand?

Because I can't. You're supposed to be able to.

Ideally I'd like answers not from the super fit gym goers/marathon runners but ordinarily fairly active late 40's? Grin

What exercises would help does anyone know? (I'm not overweight), was very ill in bed for 5 months 4 years ago and just haven't been the same since and it's really depressing me.

OP posts:
AutumnRose1 · 08/10/2019 12:15

It depends how

I can if I'm allowed to put weight on one knee but the thing doing the rounds is that springing up from cross legged? I don't think I can do that.

wineymummy · 08/10/2019 12:16

I can but I'm in my 30's...

Can you find a local pilates class? I go to one in a church hall, full of middle aged and older ladies, all very gentle and suitable for beginners - no pressure, all shapes, sizes and abilities present.

To get off the floor without hands you need a stronger core, pilates would do this in a gentle way.

Gertrudesgarden · 08/10/2019 12:16

I can, but it's not graceful! It involves going up on one knee first, so perhaps that's cheating.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness
managedmis · 08/10/2019 12:16

Why would you get up off the floor?

Gertrudesgarden · 08/10/2019 12:17

ps yes to pilates, and/or yoga. Both gentle on joints, but strength building.

Crocky · 08/10/2019 12:18

Yes. Age 48. Couldn’t a year ago but have been doing yoga and some running.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 08/10/2019 12:22

Why would you get up off the floor?

To open the fridge Grin

howabout · 08/10/2019 12:22

I have never been good at this due to a hip issue. Thing I do to help is sit on bottom stair and practice standing up from there. Before I could do this I started from sitting on the second stair.

My DC (teens to 8) all do this naturally from a low squat and so I think squats and variants are probably the best exercise to build the necessary strength and balance.

AutumnRose1 · 08/10/2019 12:23

Also, I remember talking about this at work and a lot of us thought we couldn't do the cross legged thing even when were kids.

AutumnRose1 · 08/10/2019 12:24

I can sit on a step but I don't cross my feet to do it!

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 08/10/2019 12:24

Why would you get up off the floor? Because the wine bottle is empty obviously....

Yes I can get of the floor, well until I’m drunk at least

Bluntness100 · 08/10/2019 12:24

Yes I can easily, I'm fifty, I am a gym goer, I wouldn't classify myself as super fit though, Hmm

Zoflorabore · 08/10/2019 12:24

I can (just about) but look like a deranged seal while doing it.

It’s a lot harder than it sounds.

SalamanderOnHoliday · 08/10/2019 12:24

No but only need one steadying hand.

I'm doing pilates regularly which helps and starting a bit of yoga again. I've got a bad back and v little flexibility in hips which really doesn't help.

I'm early 50s and 2 stone overweight!

SalamanderOnHoliday · 08/10/2019 12:25

Oh and I can't even cross my legs properly.

Oliversmumsarmy · 08/10/2019 12:26

My 17 year old Ds cannot do the cross legged thing to get up.

Dd struggles and she is super fit.

I can get up by going onto my knees.

Very unfit very overweight 60 year old

CroissantsAtDawn · 08/10/2019 12:26

Im not fit or a gym bunny but i can do it 2 ways. Feet flat on floor and push up with my knees (hurting both my thighs and my knees).

Other way is swinging my legs round under me so im kneeling then stand up. Thats more comfortable.

KatyCarrCan · 08/10/2019 12:27

No. I have a bad back and a dodgy hip. I find it hard enough to get up using hands, knees, a small child Grin

Original poster
BillieEilish · 08/10/2019 12:27

Thanks everyone, all so helpful Joxer Grin

I want to do it, as after I was poorly, I did go to pilates and rehab for 6 months and I'm sure I could do it then. I just feel a bit unstable, I thought it would be my core/balance.

I don't even like getting out the bath Hmm although I can, I was looking on youtube and yes, you should be able to do it not touching the knees and one bloke was indeed jumping up.

I am not at all old/look old and have a young DD but I feel so old!

Great tips everyone, thanks again. I have my pilates mat, I remember the exercises, maybe I just start doing half an hour a day.

OP posts:
Doormat247 · 08/10/2019 12:27

I can't even get up using my hands - I need my DP to come and drag me up Blush. I do have a fucked up back though.

KarenWithTheHair · 08/10/2019 12:29

Yes, easily, which has surprised me actually after reading this thread. 41, bit chubby, don’t really do any exercise.

bloodywhitecat · 08/10/2019 12:30

Yes I am 56,, not particularly fit, don't go to the gym, go running or anything like that but I can get up from the floor without using my hands and I can still touch my toes with ease from standing.

OliveOwl · 08/10/2019 12:31

Yes. Yoga helped me, as would Pilates. As pups have said, strengthens the core. I would also say paying attention to hip flexors and psoas re flexibility. Sitting cross-legged on floor is first step to that.

Mintjulia · 08/10/2019 12:31

Yes, I’m 56 and I can get up by going onto one knee and then up.

I have done a 45 minute karate class for the last 6 years with my ds (his idea), and it helps massively with general flexibility and stronger stomach/thigh muscles.
I am certainly not super fit, I can run 5k wheezily in about 35 mins.

Original poster
BillieEilish · 08/10/2019 12:32

YY, I cann do it like a toddler, twist round, both hands out, on knees and push myself up FGS Hmm

oliversmum you made me feel better!

Forget crossing the feet thing, what is that about?

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread