Have you ever wonder why disabled athletes are able to move fast even if they are on wheelchairs? The reason behind their excellent performance is their rigid wheelchairs.
This type of wheelchair is designed for active users such as the disabled athletes.
Rigid wheelchairs are in demand because of several reasons: Low Maintenance and Lightweight: unlike the folding type of wheelchair, the rigid type has minimal movable parts so there is less likely to encounter problems because of regular adjustments.
You see, folding wheelchairs are usually heavier than rigid because they are made with thick aluminum to support its parts against strain caused by constant alignment.
Despite the thick aluminum component of folding, rigid wheelchairs are still proven more long lasting because of its durability.
When you use folding wheelchairs, much of your energy is used to push the wheels.
This implicates that you are exerting too much effort just to move your wheelchair.
Whereas rigid wheelchairs only have few movable parts so they are easier to move forward.
Folding wheelchairs are not designed for maximum performance and mobility.
That is because they are designed to be folded.
Just notice the casters of the folding wheelchairs.
They are put at the back of the foot rest so it can be closed properly.
However, this brings too much weight on its casters.
Meanwhile, the casters of the wheelchairs are shorter that is why much of the weight is placed on the wheels at the back.
This allows wheelchairs to move faster and easier.
Wheelchairs move faster because they are lightweight and easy to turn.
But this is not only good for disabled athletes, they are best for all wheelchair users especially when they need to move up a ramp alone.
Moving up a ramp is certainly difficult with folding wheelchairs because they are heavy and difficult to turn.
It is designed to fit the body frame of the user.
Folding, on the other hand, is like a cube because its main purpose is to fold.
Also, rigid wheelchairs allow users to move comfortably without any assistance.
They are also designed to be both attractive and functional while folding is only made to be functional.
There is no aesthetic consideration on folding wheelchairs.
Rigid wheelchairs are ideal for disabled individuals who have strong upper body and active.
They are also recommended to disabled people who want to be independent and those who look at wheelchairs as part of their bodies and not just a kind of equipment.
There is no doubt that rigid wheelchairs are far better than folding wheelchairs.
This is because rigid wheelchairs are easy to maintain, convenient, lightweight, durable, easy to move and have minimal movable parts.