Types of Wheelchairs

Lightweight Wheelchairs

Lightweight wheelchairs have frames made of lighter materials such as aluminum, titanium, or chrome. Originally developed for racing and wheelchair sports, these chairs have become increasingly popular as daily use chairs. Many active wheelchair users prefer the sportier look of the lightweights compared with the more plain-looking everyday chair.

Specialty Wheelchairs

The Traveler XD wheelchair from Graham-Field Home Products is designed for large people weighing as much as 400 pounds.

Because of the diverse needs of wheelchair users, wheelchairs have been designed to accommodate many lifestyles and user needs.

For people who have difficulty walking but can use their legs, there are hemi chairs, which are lower to the floor than standard chairs, allowing the person to propel the chair using leg strength.
For people who have paralysis or upper extremity amputation on one side, there are chairs with specially modified wheel/axle drives to allow it to be propelled with one hand.
For obese people, there are oversized chairs and chairs with a high weight capacity.
For people who enjoy outdoor activities, rugged, specially equipped chairs are available.
For people who want to participate in marathons and other racing events, aerodynamic three-wheeled racing chairs are available.
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Child, Youth or Growing Wheelchairs

Children and teens need chairs that can accommodate their changing needs as they grow. In addition, it is important that wheelchairs for children or teens are adaptable to classroom environments and "friendly looking" to help the user fit more readily into social situations. Wheelchairs for children and youths usually offer a more streamlined appearance and/or brighter upholstery or frame colors.

Standard/Everyday Wheelchairs

The Invacare MVP is a folding, standard/everyday chair

Standard/everyday chairs are the more traditional wheelchair styles featuring a folding crossbrace frame, often made of steel, with swing-away and/or elevating footrests, fixed or detachable armrests, a mid- to high-level back, and push handles to allow a caregiver or other non-occupant to propel the chair.

Sport Wheelchairs

The Hammer from Colours In Motion is a sport wheelchair with rugged construction for use in contact sports such as rugby

Sport wheelchairs come in a variety of configurations designed for specific sports. Many are three-wheeled.

Models designed for use in wheelchair contact sports such as wheelchair rugby feature a wide front-end "hammer-head" made of aluminum tubing, suitable for banging against other wheelchairs. Rugby wheelchairs can be seen in use in the 2005 documentary movie Murderball, which follows a group of wheelchair rugby players through a series of championship games.

Wheelchairs

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Types of Wheelchairs

Lightweight Wheelchairs

Specialty Wheelchairs

Child, Youth or Growing Wheelchairs

Standard/Everyday Wheelchairs

Sport Wheelchairs

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