Live longer by getting up from the floor without using your hands

According to a Brazillian study in 2012, the ability to get up off of the floor without using your hands may be an indicator of a lower biological age. Meaning maybe you'll live longer.
In reality, measuring your true biological age is much more complicated and would require lab testing. That said, the ability to get off the floor gracefully is a good indicator of core stability, leg strength, hip mobility, and overall balance and agility. These are well-known as some of the most important things to improve longevity.
In this video, Dr. Jeffrey O'Guin will go over his tips and tricks to help you practice getting off the floor without using your hands.
• Stronger legs and core... This is a link to alternative exercises for seniors with hip or knee arthritis.

[@toddandjans]

The things he’s showing are easy if your joints are in good working order, which is not the case for many people!

[@stevensnow4112]

I am in my 76 th year. Inspired by your video I have begun sitting and standing back up without using my hands a few times a week. Thank you.

[@davidfuller764]

Heck yes! Me too

[@robertallen6710]

Steven da man...

[@lizgrist4850]

My knees wouldn’t let me do that but thanks anyway !

[@johantorsner4333]

I think this study has been misunderstood. Physical fitness (strength, mobility and balance) is a good predictor of expected lifetime and the sitting rise test tests all of that. If you want to live longer you should work on your overall physical fitness with strength, cardio and flexibility exercises. Not train specifically for this test.

[@ralphhebgen7067]

Absolutely. Whether you can do the test should be a barometer of how well you are doing in your holistic training.

[@noreasters]

That makes sense.

[@jas-n-dad]

Agree. Classic confusion of causation and correlation. Being able to do this task doesn’t make you “healthy,” but “healthy” people are more LIKEKY to be able to do this task

[@MikeD_]

Yes. Exactly. The cause and the effect. I don't believe someone being able to get up off the floor without using their hands is why they'll live longer, but instead all the work someone has to do to physically achieve that is why they'll live longer.

[@NM-js8ky]

100%

[@squidly2112]

wow, I should live to be about 150yrs old. At 61yrs, I can still spring up off of the floor in a second without using hands. Really great exercises in this video. I'm going to have to get on to these. As you get older, it is really important to continue to maintain your agility and strength. Once you lose it, it is a lot more difficult to get it back, especially as you get older. My advice, do as this man suggests and keep at it, even just a little bit, it will help you LOTS in the long run.

[@TheAnimeist]

As a person who started skateboarding at an old age, and a honey doer, I often find myself on the ground. These exercises are perfect, as they'll hep me get back up.

[@cavendish009]

No problem - just did it in seconds and I am 74 !!! Did a lot of ballet in my youth !

[@user-ep3ck5re4o]

Big deal showoff

[@kefirheals7383]

New to this channel. Just stumbled across it today. Will have to watch more of his videos. But as a senior, over 70 yrs old, I'm very careful and mindful how I approach a younger person's ideas and suggestions. I protect my knees at all cost. I'm seeing way too many people my age getting knee and hip replacements. They try to jump right in and do exercises that are not age appropriate. Just go slow and not as low - very important.

[@melissaarchie5686]

Great point! But I wouldn't say that are not age appropriate. No matter your age, you should not be over ambitious about what your body can do in the moment. Go slow, gradual & consistent to strengthen. I see 70 something year old men and women doing better than some 30 year olds BECAUSE they have been consistent with building or maintaining their strength and mobility! Much appreciation for your comment!

[@jollyjolly5633]

Only trained at young age no problem.

[@helenebennie3961]

@@melissaarchie5686 Why don't you check out Hampton Liu at Hybrid Calisthenics? He has lots of suggestions about how to modify exercises to get you started. I also like Matt Hsu from Upright Health. He ideas around mindset are valuable.

[@jiji1946]

I'm so pleased to read this.... exactly what I think every time I see these "this exercise will change your life/solve your health problems/ make you live longer' videos. 90% hype, and quite possibly dangerous to boot. will be suitable for some, not for others. pretty irresponsible, MY view.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

3:51 looks like a sex drill

[@highlandlove]

Form and consistency. Got it! Thank you Dr.O'Guin.

[@kathleenryan8545]

I am 66 and can easily get down on the floor and get back up without using my hands, but then I have been going to the gym every week for the last 6 years and walk 15 to 20 kms a week. It doesn't just happen, you have to work at it!

[@sandraelder1101]

Love the many, varied adaptations! One of my knees only bends 90* but even I can do something rather than nothing. 👍🏼

[@theowenssailingdiary5239]

Glad you clarified the title straight away. So many of these 'studies' showing correlations are so misleading.

[@gaylesantone1885]

I had full hip replacement several years ago and really need these exercises. Thank you!

[@emiliaescobar7652]

Wow, this is amazing, never thought of that, good exercise to do & doesn't hurt to practice getting up from floor w/out using your hands/arms, once will never know what can happen, good to be proactive, TY so much for this video!!!!!

[@anchelvakaline1485]

If you google the study, by Brazilian physician Claudio Gil Araujo, it was not an exercise to increase longevity. It is a test to determine potential longevity. Whether using this predictive test as an exercise would increase longevity was apparently not addressed in the study

[@nubbyrose87]

This is an important point that is misunderstood or not considered in these videos.

[@kurtwpg]

Yeah, to me this is a strong indicator being mistaken for a cause.

[@marcdaniels9079]

Yup 99.9% of people never read the studies and then people like Attia Huberman etc get away with spewing nonsense And getting rich 😮

[@bonnies9861]

Oh my goodness ~ you are way too advanced for this 75 yr. old!!! Have a great day!

[@fluffsternormalpaws1443]

This vid breaks it down really well, the building blocks and components to lead up to the skill. Followed & saved, thank you 👍

[@Carolmaizy]

I've been going to P. T. for a month, and getting up off the floor more easily is one of my goals!

[@SimonCurrey]

Great video. 69 and despite being super fit in mid sixties I was couldn't do this. During the pandemic stopped going to the gym and started doing floor exercises. I then suddenly one day I realised I had the strength to do stand. I minimal equipment but always picking up tips and tricks. 3x 30 minutes of floor exercises weekly plus walk run cycleOWswim. I have learnt so much. Learnt new exercises from video 🎉😅

[@whathappenedwhen7456]

Thank you for this video, it's extremely helpful. I like the analogy when encouraging us don't give up & reminding us of the process a child goes through when learning to walk. And, I agree with you that the goal is to live a well functioning life as opposed to a longer life.

[@ViolettaVie]

Thank you. These are the exercises I needed to know about. ❤

[@jimhenderson387]

This is fascinating. Now I've never done anything gracefully, but I think I'll work on this nonetheless. Even if I can never get up without hands, this training should be of some benefit.

[@DepDawg]

It will definitely help, even if you cannot fully achieve this. You’ll be increasing resistance and building strength as well as bone density. Movement matters as we age, and movement that is challenging matters even more.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

Good for travel in dodgy toilet countries 2:15 the poopster squat?

[@Nfletcher456]

Great video! About 2 years ago my daughter was making fun of the noises I made getting up off the floor. She didn't even know how to talk yet. The 90/90 hip switching helped a lot!

[@Angel-nf4nt]

This is great advice! I can't wait to practice and see some results

[@fuzzfacelogic789]

Good work and I certainly agree with your attitude regarding quality life over a long one.

[@antoniofarinaccio541]

Glad I came across this video. Thanks!

[@stargalaxyuniverse761]

I do this every day. I am 61 and also do a lot of squatting to stand without my hands. I’m a nurse and have seen so many people my age that don’t have the strength to get up if they fall.

[@vincentvangogh8092]

or in my case cant stop the fall cuz lacking leg strength

[@arlrmr7607]

Hey careful! This fit, young guy has worked for years to make all this look easy! Don't hurt yourself!

[@artcuriel5449]

Truly said.

[@tenton459]

I think, as you age, more muscles stiffen due to lack of use. So the suggestion is a good one. I am 65. Found myself needing to use my hands to get up from a chair. Some exercising later, this has changed. It's a lifestyle issue.

[@itsm3th3b33]

Floor? I can't even get out of bed without using my hands. 😮

[@arlrmr7607]

@@itsm3th3b33 lol 😂

[@AllAboutHealthandFitness33]

Great Video. Very helpful to us all as we get older.

[@timange124]

Amen, less pain and better movement. That’s what I’m after. Live to 70 and feel great the whole time or to 80 in pain, no thank you.

[@stokesrealestate]

WOW really great video, pleasant tone, nice pace and fast paced content.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you liked it!

[@ewastypula7622]

All great videos , finally i found exercises that i am going to follow

[@mikecleek3964]

I’m really glad I saw this post last January 9th I got T K R left leg I’ve lost 34 lbs total and still struggling this is what I need more exercise 😅 thank you I’m 63 years old male

[@michaelmcphee2930]

I'm 72 and will implementing these in my exercises regimen to Live Better. I have bursitis in my left hip and believe these will help.

[@ronnie9187]

Very interesting. Reminds me of a study here in Switzerland, where they equipped a group of patients who were recovering with low beds, instead of the normal special high beds with easy entry. And these recovered a lot better. Getting up from an uncomfortable position requires the use of many muscle groups.

[@7hilladelphia]

Cool info THANKS !

[@PInk77W1]

Seems like the opposite would be true. You want life to be hard not ez.

[@asterwellltd3878]

​@@PInk77W12😅

[@houserdiane]

I’m in my late 60’s; been in gyms since the early 1980’s…however I use my hands to get up and it’s not all that difficult. I have arthritis in one of my knees due to a bad fall. Therefore this won’t be happening for me at all.

[@Galantski]

Really good stuff, Jeffrey. Thanks much!

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you liked it!

[@raymond4u100]

Great stuff,thank you

[@tastx3142]

I was able to sit cross legged on the floor and stand without using my hands into my early 50’s until a herniated disk enucleated and lodged into the nerve root leading to my right leg. I had complete numbness and no reflexes and it took 5 days to have surgery. I still have partial numbness, some muscle atrophy on that leg as well as some foot drop. I had months of weakness in that leg prior to the herniated disk but medical staff told me to exercise more. Two more back surgeries with hardware and I am resigned to having to get up by leaning forward and getting on my hands and knees to push off. I work hard to stay flexible and as strong as possible and have to adapt. I have visitors who can’t climb the 8 stairs to the front door or the 24 stairs from the back door to ground level in the backyard because of the hill we live on and many are overweight and sedentary who are younger than my 66 years so feel that they are going to have difficulty as they age.

[@davidmcdonald11]

Excellent advice...thank you!

[@maryschultz741]

I like this video, nice to see a red headed Irishman with pasty white skin, like me. I'm in my early sixties, love my job, my life as a mom & Grandma! This has made me realize how terribly out of shape I've become, 😢 and that makes me sad. I'm going to try getting down on my not so clean floor, and give these a try. Thanks for the inspiration! For all you Naysayers out there, he did show us a way to get on the floor and start there, just rocking back & forth. I think we can try!

[@ecnivmarng7163]

I think you can fly !

[@globalman]

I totally concur regarding your observation of a handsome redheaded Irish man. However I think the word pasty is a negative. Having white skin as he has is aesthetically beautiful. To my artistic eye it is incredibly sensuous. Think of those beautiful marble statues or Alabaster.

[@rp9674]

You don't have to call it pasty. Mmm pasties.

[@jcooper1258]

I’m with you!

[@frankleal1557]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@user-ig9ri5er1c]

Very good strategies!

[@justathought274]

Yes. Such a good idea to practice with a yoga block. Enjoyed your impressive piston squats. Thank you Going to watch this in more detail and use it to improve by ability. New sub.

[@bawhitham]

Thanks! Great advice and a great demonstration! I have a lot of pain in my knees when I try to get up my not-so-good way. You have provided some excellent alternatives, which I will definitely try out.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jolox.]

Good exercises! Going to subscribe to see what's next!

[@Digmen1]

Hi Jeff, that technique at around 3 minutes looks great. I'm 73 and I always have to use my hands, its very embarrassing. I will try this and practice it

[@GGMir24]

I am blown away. I am 69 and teaching g a class of seniors the same type of exercises that work on the same 3 principles. My participants are all over 70 but are semi active in good health. I look forward to following your videos.

[@dareks8000]

Great advice to be child-like at the end! Well done and thanks for making this video.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@daleshewchuk3523]

There is so much helpful information here that is well presented. Thank you, Doctor!

[@swisstrader]

He is a Dr?

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you think so!

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

yes

[@skane3109]

Excellent tips. I will definitely try them. Like any exercise technique, start slow, adapt to your own fitness level and do it persistently. Just move = fitness.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Absolutely!

[@leet2762]

What great advice and what a lovely,supportive guy you seem to be. I have always been fit and flexible but since COVID I have changed. I am going to be 67 this year and walking again and doing, chair yoga and many other KZbin stuff. Best wishes from Australia

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Keep it up

[@jerseycornboy]

Great job thanks for sharing. I've been a chiropractor and nurse for 40 yrs and I will tell everyone they need to be going to you for healthcare. I can tell right away you are someone who is dedicated to being the best and helping others to be their best. !!!!

[@ra78100]

Very interesting, at 67 I am very active and in shape. Thank you

[@touchofgrace3217]

My mother is 74 and has lost her ability to get off the floor. The paramedics had to come get her up recently when she fell. Just last week she asked me to help her get out of a chair and I said no. Before you think I’m heartless, I knew she could get up, she just didn’t like that it was challenging. My genuine concern is that being helpful in the short term would actually be unhelpful in the long term. I told her that not only would I not help her, she needs to practice getting out of a chair more every day, not less.

[@juliapace2845]

Great video. thanks

[@anhleroy]

Love this! will try today. Kinda like a Turkish get up or whatever that’s called with a kettlebell

[@sebastiancervantesll]

Say the fitness gurus who can not get up from the floor. Anything to not. Even one commenter says that makes sense. Sure anything but…I hear you. Thank you for all of your efforts!

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

I hope you're okay.

[@trinitywave]

i love the open hip kneeling that's a game changer for me. Want to practice more with that one. Thank you!

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

You're so welcome!

[@charliebrown3404]

This was good...being an oldie, I found the info useful & made good sense...thank you !

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlesputnam9370]

At your age you don't know what arthritis is. It takes an act of Congress to get me off the floor. I am 69. In the process of reflooring two bedrooms I have been up and down constantly for a week. Have to stop occasionally to let pain pass. I have to use my hands to get off the floor.

[@robyn3349]

Thank you! Wow, I have never seen most of these movements before.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bajuszpal172]

Excellent, just let me add that those cross -legged sitting -downs and standing-ups do help strengthen the knee ligamen, thus avoiding or delaying s to avoid meniscus problems. .. Yet, both a physicianś advice and in the beginning the help of hands is preferred, too. Paul, 68 retired instructor of Karate

[@damainsmith1084]

Wow! Just amazing.

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

You have socks on...SOCKS...on this hard slippery floor. That's a PLUS right there! Then you are lifting off of a hard floor. PLUS again! My bones hurt just watching but I am determined to do these. As a former gymnast and current Yogi who suffered (and recovered from) 2 strokes my stubbornness won't allow me NOT to. ❤

[@user-hy6ls4eo8z]

Good instructions

[@garethleitner9547]

As an old guy, I'm thankful to be able to use tools to get up off the floor. Like anything that's around to grab a hold of!

[@MissDebra]

The point of this video is to help you gain strength so that you do not have to rely on something to grab on to. What if you are alone and fall in the middle of the floor or out on a walk? You would be helpless.

[@johnlowe3050]

This is a handy tip.

[@rampetampen]

No problem...I can still do that

[@ellenor854]

Love this!

[@toriwolf5978]

Just found your channel today thank youuuu❤

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

You’re welcome 😊

[@BuddhaSunn]

Good tips

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@you67556060]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@trader891]

Great video

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you enjoyed it. thanks for watching

[@bobjimenez4464]

I feel good about being able to get up off of the floor in any way possible and can do it pretty well using both of my hands. Thanks for the video, I'm going to work on building some strength.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Thanks for sharing!

[@hikerJohn]

Being able to get up without hands is a good exercise and a good sign of health if you can do it as I can at 70 years old even being 20+ pounds overweight but just practicing getting up off the floor with or without hands is a vital exercise if you cannot do it with ease

[@WarmFuzzyVibes]

Hey, Sometimes I can do amazing things with my legs and balance and other times I don't. I survived cancer and chemo with a few after effects but that doesn't stop me from improving every day! I doubt I can perform this trick, but it doesn't keep me up at night worrying about it! If I have to turn around and get on my knees to get up off the ground or grab a stair rail to rise from a stair step, I figure that is fine and dandy! I am over 70 and in good health.

[@JGalegria]

There is a study that shows balancing on one leg is correlated with lower risk of early death from a whole bunch of issues, not just falls. 🦋🙏

[@errorsofmodernism7331]

Your poses are some of my favorites for breaking wind. The squat is great in a confined space like an elevator for releasing gas.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

hahaha

[@judyholmes1634]

Fabulous! Thank you..

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolannnoble3981]

I can’t do any of this - overweight, joint replacements in knees and shoulders and many spinal issues. So glad others can do this.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

feel free to check out the video I made for you at the top of the comments of this video.

[@dinkerhosangadi8230]

Nice vid

[@TheDennzio]

70 here and I need to add this to my morning routine...grateful

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Wonderful!

[@brianmikels2422]

Thank you so much!!

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

You're welcome!

[@AussieMaskedOwl]

These exercises are great for most levels of leg and core strength because going all the way up and down in a pistol squat is pretty badass.

[@jethroPDiddy]

I’m 73, and can do this without using knees or elbows, just feet and butt. So I’ll probably live forever. Lol

[@johnbadminton5713]

You blew me away on the first dip. But good enunciation!

[@feurigerStern]

I am 69 years old. I just had a bad fall on concrete a couple days ago. I am for anything that will help my balance.

[@lfader]

Love it I start my day coffee sitting on the floor (stretch hamstrings/calves) find getting up with my hands tedious The windshield wiper !!! Yes💥 Thank you so much Whodda' thunk ?? 🤪

[@Hydermehdi]

Start slow and take it from there. Thank you for such an amazing video.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@c.daubz.5386]

👍👍 good helpful informative video

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Glad you liked it

[@K1600_Rider]

I'm 55 and in fairly decent shape, and can still stand up in that manner, but it does put a little bit of pressure on my ankles now that I didn't feel when I was 25.

[@tselisoncholu7914]

I certainly will start exploring my body,but not as a skinny youth.I will do this as an over 70 who is even an amputated grandfather.Nice tip though ❤..

[@xb4439]

thanks congrats you are going to live long god bless!

[@SUMERUP]

Fabulous! My weak point. Hip mobility..! Wish I could sit straight on my bottom on the grass when picknicken like the others.. I could use there also some advice, teach!

[@elizabethwoodhouse9461]

Pls can you do a video on sit ups from the horizintal position with no hands

[@lukequigley121]

I"m going to say ,falls are worse and happen more often to us than we say.. All good staying limber as we age w/ these stretches and moves, all good..

[@mairepcod4063]

Thanks,

[@thatbeme]

Thanks 😊

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

Welcome 😊

[@BambinoAmericano]

OMG that’s my new project for the next 8 months.

[@mathiusq9128]

I think it is true in a correlative way but not in any way which would lead to situation where practicing this would make you live longer. I think it's just good for us generally to do these exercises anyway because they will improve quality of life and will reduce risk of injury.

[@DrJeffreyOGuinSaintLouis]

I agree. that is what I was trying to get at. Thanks for watching

[@marykirby5221]

I am 80 love to not use my hands with a bit of consistency I will maybe make it it will bring a big smile to my face

[@woodstream6137]

I definitely can't do the 1st one or Asian squat. Hip switch looks possible using momentum. I need to start some basic fitness 55, 260lb, prehypertension. It doesn't help that one last back flexibility because of scoliosis and it seems when i start exercising something starts hurting or work gets crazy.