How long can you STAND on ONE LEG?

[AviatorTom]

One sign of good health is your sense of balance, which can be easily tested by standing on one leg. Researchers say the ability to stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds can be an indicator of your overall health.

So... how long can you stand on one leg?

Please select your answer in the poll below, and feel free to leave a comment.

FYI, I can stand on one leg for about 5 minutes.

I immediately fall over if I try to stand on one leg

less than 10 seconds

10 seconds

10 seconds to 1 minute

1 minute to 5 minutes

more than 5 minutes

Something else - please tell us

Updates

+1 y

According to the poll results, most G@Gers are healthy... at least when it comes to balance.

[WhiteSteve]

I’ve never timed it, but I can certainly do a minute, at least. I play hockey, so one-leg strength gets developed as you learn edgework in skating, balancing on one edge of your skate blade as you make tight turns, sudden stops, etc. I’m definitely stronger in my calves and ankles since I started playing.

I usually do a standing quadriceps stretch at the gym, where you stand on one leg, grab the other foot, and pull your heel to your butt. When I do those, I remain on one leg for the entire stretch, and then I slowly release the other leg, make a smooth and slow extension of my knee a few times, and then grab the same foot again and do the stretching sequence again. I’m able to do all of that on one leg without putting the second foot down for probably close to a minute, and I only stop because the stretch is complete and it’s time to switch legs, so I think I could maybe do a couple minutes if I had to.

[Bricealan]

I have been in Yoga classes for more than 2 years... going on 3 years, and I have yet to master standing on one foot for very long. The difference is that in Yoga, you have to maintain a 'pose' for a period of seconds not merely standing on one foot wearing a shoe. They have us standing on left or right foot, bending forward at the waist, with the opposite leg straight back and hands behind you like 'wings'

I agree with you that balance is critical to anyone not matter what the circumstance, and would be some indicator of your vestibular condition

[purplepoppy]

Definitely more than 10 seconds, probably few minutes.

BUT can you do it with your eyes closed? Anything less than a minute and I wouldn't bother starting a long book.

[Hawkes_Lady]

The last time I tested this was a few years back, but then I could stand on one leg for about 7 minutes, Now, I am sure I could still do it for at least 5.

[Bricealan]

@Hawkes_Lady Well you should be in my Yoga, class and you would be the 'star"... but one qualifier, you have to be in your BARE FEET.! A little different in bare feet.

[Hawkes_Lady]

@Bricealan Honestly, I've never tried yoga, the closest I've gotten to doing yoga is my morning stretches when waking up and trying to stretch around my dogs. I prefer Zumba or Bungee fitness classes.

[Hawkes_Lady]

@AviatorTom Thanks for the MHO!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Never really timed it but I do have very good leg strength and balance, because I play a lot of Rugby. Actually the better way of telling how fit a person is is by how long they can stand on tip toe because that really stretched the calves.

Not sure how long I can do that for, but I've typed this answer entirely on tip toe!

[exitseven]

One of the things I used to do after I got a new hip was get 2 dumbbells and stand on one foot in front of a mirror for 5 minutes, then do the other side. I have not done this in over two tears but I could still do it I bet.

[YesterdaysChild]

They say if you can't balance on one leg that it can be a sign of Alzheimer's, and probably other maladies too.

[RobT312]

I have good balance, I know I can go 5 min…not sure how much longer. Never tried much beyond that

[NathanDavis]

at least 20 minutes... I got stuck once, lol

don't ask

[Amy10223]

30 seconds was all I could do on my right leg after surgery.

[ArrowheadSW]

I'll have to try it and see. Probably for quite awhile. lol

[douride2]

At least a minute or more. I could probably do more if I hadn't broken both legs at some time in the past.

[Yannae]

Really... ten seconds? So what exactly does that indicate? How bad is what How good is what? I can watch probably watch a movie on one leg.

[Sparkie460]

I've never had to try it. I've never gone through a field sobriety test before. Lol

[shortster]

Once I find my balance I can do it until my leg gets tired. So about 10-20 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Depends, with or without a little Captain Morgan in me.😆

[Joshydavid25]

I can do it for a while, I don't know how long though.. Definitely more than a minute.

[Juxtapose]

I can kick over my head and hold my balance for a while but I never really timed it. I took martial arts for 11 years.

[AngryCarl2]

Left leg: over 90 seconds.

Right leg: 30 seconds.

Information: It's been 4 days since I last drank alcohol.

[AngryCarl2]

I think some of y'all are guessing or making shit up. I actually ran a test.

[scentoflavender]

Not as long as I figured I could.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Definitely more than 5 minutes.

[Arik_jade]

May be 1 min to 5 mins

[TiaNour]

Probably more than 10 minites

[Myaloura]

Probably a while

[strateguy632]

ten seconds

[Apple1996]

1-5 mintues

[SquareWave]

Who comes up with this crap?

[AngryCarl2]

Your ability to balance on one leg is a good indicator of your general health. I'm just saying.