Since our beds are designed without a lifting mechanism in them, you will need to use your own strength to operate. We recommend grabbing a partner to help lift and lower each time. To lift our Queen beds at the heaviest point, it will weigh about 45lbs plus half the weight of your mattress -- since the platform will always be supported by the floor when lifting and lowering you only factor in half of your mattress weight. Therefore, if your mattress weighs 80lbs, then you will be lifting about 85lbs total (45lbs + 40lbs). To lift our Twin beds at the heaviest point, it will weigh about 35lb plus half the weight of your mattress (since the platform will always be supported by the floor when lifting and lowering you only factor in half of your mattress weight). Therefore, if your mattress weighs 50lb, then you will be lifting about 60lbs total (35lb + 25lb). While some will be able to lift and lower on their own, do always recommend that two adults are present to lift and lower these beds if you are not certain how that weight will feel for you. We never recommend that children or pregnant women lift our beds.