A female who will remain nameless helped her friend move, and may have ruptured a disc in her back,it's probably just a strain,but I generate fear to empathize how dumb it was for her to try and lift a sofa bed.

So do you help friends move heavy objects for various reasons?

I work on farms, in gardens and occasionally do removals too. Lifting heavy stuff is how I make my fiat

That does extend to my personal life too so yes would be my answer. Lifting is 90% technique. Screw the technique=screw your back.

I have been known to attempt things thinking that I am still as fit and healthy as I was in my 20's and teens - sadly I am not - its frustrating to not be able to lift or move as much as I used to without doing further damage to my organs - damn the bodies need for oxygen!!

I'm a bloke so its never been a problem tbh.
It would have to be bloody heavy but I'd have no compulsion in saying somethings too heavy for me if it really was.
Theres showing off and then theres bloody stupid if you know what I mean.
I'd probably draw the line at more than 70 or 80kg unassisted over distance.

whenever i unzip my pants.

batou wrote:
You do strike me as a manly man,and I say that in a manly way

All the time...

Rick wrote:

Or depends how fit and strong you are. Always keep straight back and lift with the legs.

I was kind of like this lifting mail sacks when I worked for 2 days in a solicitors mail basement Those sacks where heavy bastards

2 days was enough for me, I would have ended up as either Britains strongest man...or in hospital...the latter was the more realistic outcome

Cold compress first day (ice etc) then heat (water bottle) next day if still sore.
something like that anyhow.
Unless it is a metaphorical bad back.

People often put their backs out though due to technique and not the weight

She should have just batted her eyelashes and asked a big strong man for help, that often works (not that I've done that *cough*)

Having been a furniture removalist for 10 years it's all in the technique, keeping a straight back and stomach pulled in.

Would I help a friend, for sure but not stuff that's the weight of a truck, done that before and paid the price.

I'm all for empowering the individual and would therefore, not help any of you, particularly if you're just going to stand there, pout and watch. Maybe if you had no arms and legs, but otherwise...naff off.