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types of wheelchairs

What Are the Different Types of Wheelchairs That Exist Today?

VWB Blog 2 years ago 21

If you or a loved one is (or is about to become) a wheelchair user, it’s a good idea to give yourself an idea about what some of the different options out there are. You may not know it, but there are actually dozens of different types of wheelchairs in existence today.

Depending on your lifestyle, or your level of assistance needed, you’ll be able to choose one that’s best suited to you.

Having the right type of wheelchair can drastically improve your quality of life, giving you more freedom and fewer obstacles in your day-to-day experiences. If you’d like to learn about some of the most common wheelchair types today, you’ve come to the right place.

Read on for a rundown of the best wheelchairs available to you.

Standard Manual Wheelchair

The manual wheelchair is the type you’ll likely automatically think of when you think of a traditional wheelchair. It is a pretty no-frills type of model designed to get you from point A to point B. This type of chair is completely manual, meaning the user can either push themselves or have someone push using the back handles.

This type of chair can come in different weights, sizes, and materials. Steel, aluminum, and titanium are some of the most common materials used.

All-Terrain Wheelchair

An all-terrain wheelchair is a more versatile type of chair that will allow the user to go more places (and travel on a more diverse range of terrains) than a standard wheelchair might allow. It has special wheels and powerful motors to tackle all kinds of topography.

It will be able to navigate different types of wheelchair ramps, of course, but also on beaches, off-road paths, and grass. Types of terrains that would once have been off-limits to wheelchair users are now accessible with this type of revolutionary chair.

Sports Wheelchair

When people first begin to use wheelchairs as part of their daily life, many worry that sport is something they won’t be able to participate in any longer. However, with special wheelchairs built for sports, this doesn’t have to be a cause for concern.

This is great news, as playing sports and regular exercise is an important component of your health and wellbeing.

There are different types of sports wheelchairs depending on the sport you want to play. Basketball, tennis, and racing are three of the most common. Most are manual, meaning the user pushes themself.

Electric Wheelchair

As opposed to a manual wheelchair, a powered wheelchair is one that is moved with the use of an electric motor. This type of chair is great for those with more limited mobility. Powered wheelchairs include features such as steering control and different body positioning options.

Although these chairs are more powerful, they are also bulkier. Another thing to consider is that when if it breaks down, you’ll be unable to move yourself.

Different Types of Wheelchairs for Every Occasion

Advancements in the healthcare industry have meant those with limited mobility now have more choice between different types of wheelchairs than ever before. Think about your lifestyle and your mobility to see which one might be best for you.

If you’re on the hunt for even more information on the best medical supplies, check out the rest of our site now.

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