Why its not possible to sit upright in a chair and rise to one's feet without first leaning forward

Question

Why its not possible to sit upright in a chair and rise to one's feet without first leaning forward

Answer 1

By the same reason you also need to move the center of gravity when you sit...   By the same reason you need to lean forward when you start to walk, and even more when starting to run.  Center of gravity

Answer 2

It's all physics.  You have to change your center of gravity.

Answer 3

Ha, I never thought of that or heard of that, tried it and I couldn't lol. But yeah, it has to do with your weight distribution.

Answer 4

your center of gravity (AKA centroid) just needs to stay vertically over your feet. that is why i can do a walkover (cheerleaders do it all the time). i can remove my butt from the couch and walk around a room with my head 6" from the floor. i raise my head when i please.

-multi-talented 26 y/o male engineer-

Answer 5

Because more mass lies behind the legs in your upper body, due to gravity, the mass needs to me aligned inorder for the leg joints the levitate  you.  

Answer 6

Had never thought about it. I tried to get up without leaning forward. I felt like a bit of a fool.  

Answer 7

To rise to your feet, your center of gravity needs to be over your feet, not behind them. Thus, you must lean forward (which shifts your center of gravity) in order to rise. Or at least to rise and stay up.