Wheelchair Buyers Guide

What are the Pros and Cons of a Manual Wheel Chair?

Are you trying to decide between a manual wheel chair and an electric one? Before I explain the pros and cons of owning a manual wheel chair as opposed to an electric wheel chair, here are some important considerations to take into effect. A manual wheel chair requires you to use your own muscles to propel yourself forward. So if you have decent to good upper body strength, these may be ideal for you. You can get manual wheel chairs that are lightweight. You can also get sports chairs and outdoor chairs too.

Here are the pros and cons of owning a manual wheel chair:

Pros:

More affordable.
Great for temporary/short term use.
May maintain upper body strength and endurance, as it is a self-propelled wheel chair requiring upper body ability.
Most common models are lightweight and fairly easy to transport.
May require less maintenance.

Cons:

If you lack upper body strength or ability, and the ability to self-propel yourself throughout the day, on a daily basis – manually, then this may not be the wheel chair for you.
Harder to get around than in an electric wheel chair. You lose the luxury of “automatic” mobility the electric wheel chair offers.
Depending upon your condition, you may require a helper to push you around if you own a manual wheel chair.

When talking to a sales rep at a wheel chair store, it’s important to let him or her know your physical condition. What you will and will not be capable of. Let him or her know if you have a nurse or someone available who can push you and if temporary, for how long you expect to be in the wheel chair. (If it’s not to long, you may want to look into getting a used wheel chair or even wheel chair rental.) With that information, he or she can better help you pick out the model and brand perfect for you.

(See recommended reading on wheelchair rental.)

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