We like to utilize our home page to feature an entire product category and provide more in depth information than you might otherwise get.
We will periodically update this page to include frequently asked questions and other useful features. The entire category will also be changed from time to time and the old page will be archived on to a reference page.
If you have any categories of product you are interested in seeing, or additional information you would like to see discussed, please let us know.
Last month, via their facebook page, TiLite gave us a preview of the Series 2 ZRA expected to release later this month.
The new release of the very popular ZRA has an updated look and some great new options, that once again raise the bar in wheelchair performance and style.
The most noticable changes were made to the caster housing. As you can see the caster housing is more oval and is easier to adjust caster angle. The single sided fork also cuts down on the amount of dirt and particles that can get caught between caster and fork saving time when cleaning.
A few other notable changes:
Redesigned Axle Plate (4″ rear seat height adjustment and up to 6″ of COG)
New Backrest Bracket (20 degrees of adjustment)
Choice of two frame types (the lighter .045 wall tubing or standard .065 )
The ZRA Series 2 will feature the same options you’ve come to expect from TiLite including 6 anodized color options and the exclusive Tattooed Titanium frame finishs. The Series 2 chairs included an expected release of the ZR (details to come) still showcase the style and performance of lightweight titanium. And why not when you spend all day in a chair it’s important to have a style representative of you.
Check back for futher updates as we get closer to the official launch.
Aqua Creek announced this week their new products for 2010. Among them is the highly anticipated Ranger Pool Lift. To be fair, the Ranger isn’t as much a new product, but rather an econimical update to the successful Pro Pool Lift.
Much like its “big brother” the Ranger is ADA compliant and is built to the same durability, and reliability Aqua Creek is known for. The low-profile design offers functionality, without being obtrusive to look at.
The reduced price of the Ranger (currently $3,235) is made possible primarily in its reduced foot print. This results is a shorter “travel” range and reduced weight capacity (300lbs./136kg) compared to the Pro Pool Lift. However, in our experience the set back of 4″ – 14″ works perfectly for pool configurations that are typical of home and smaller hotel users.
The Ranger features a 5 year structural and pro-rated electrical warranty. Be sure to check out the Ranger Pool Lift and its available options Today!
The 2010 paralympic games recently wrapped up. By all reports, although limited, it seemed to be a well run event. The US paralympic team did well, placing 5th overall in the metal count.
Even as an avid Olympic viewer, prior to this years event in Vancouver, I hadn’t followed the paralympics, and had little understanding of Wheelchair Curling. My interest in the sport was peaked when we were approached and asked to support one of the wheelchair curlers.
We were proud to support US paralympic athlete Augusto Perez, by supplying him with a set of D’s Locks for his curling chair.
Augusto “Goose” Perez, 35, has represented Team USA twice in the winter paralympic games. His first time on the team (Torino 2006) came only months after his first time ever trying the sport. Goose an avid soccer player, lost his left leg after 3 bouts with a rare cancer soft tissue sarcoma.
It’s safe to say Goose excelled at wheelchair curling, because in 2008 he was named USA Curling Male Athlete of the Year. This would mark the first time a wheelchair curler had been given the honor.
Goose Perez with Twins
The 2008 award wasn’t Goose’s first time breaking sporting barriers. In the same year he was the first athlete with a physical disability to win gold in the outrigger canoe 500m sprint, at the World Championships.
When Goose isn’t on the ice, he would most likely be found playing with his twin children.
For Goose, like many other paralympic athletes, the love of sports and an active lifestyle don’t end with the closing ceremony. Wherever he goes, Goose trusts D’s Locks to secure his chair.
E-motions offer some great functionality for wheelchair users who need a little extra push but want to continue using a manual chair. I stumbled along this funnycommercial for the e-motions on youtube. I figured I’d share it with you guys.
Two thumbs up to the team at Alber, the manufacturer of E-motions! For more information on these great devices see e-motions
Hydraulic pool lifts are the most affordable option for those wanting assistance getting in and out of pool. Hydraulic lifts are not as versatile as others such as battery, or hydro powered pool lifts. However for certain patients they prove to be more applicable than more complex lifts, and often for at least half the cost.
Simple to operate! Hydraulic lifts as the name suggests use a hydraulic actuator that someone must crank to raise the patient up. This is similar in function of hydraulic patient lifts like the classic Hoyer lift. Once in the sling, or optional hard seat, and raised up the caregiver must turn the mast to move the user over the pool. The user can then easily be lowered into the water. The process is repeated in reverse for getting someone out of the pool.
Who can use the lift? The lift can not be operated by the patient themselves and requires at least one caregiver to be supervsing for the transfers. However there are a number of uses where hydraulic lifts better meet the patients needs. For caregivers whose patient/loved one couldn’t operate the lift themselves a hydraulic lift can be an affordable option to consider.
Also for patients who can not use a hard seat due to contractures or spasm sling based lift (either hydraulic or power) can be a better fit. It may also be suitable for any non-commercial pool owner who couldn’t otherwise afford a pool lift.
To see more information on specifc hydraulic lifts visit our product category page: Hydraulic pool lifts
Please note: Most pool lifts are designed to meet the needs of MOST pool designs but to be sure if a particular lift will work for you, always fill out a deck configuration worksheet. Hydraulic lifts do not meet ADA requirements and as such will not pass inspection on ANY commercial property.
Pool lifts have done something for wheelchair bound individuals that wasn’t possible before the 1980s and that is provide a safe and easy way to get in and out of the pool.
In the past decade manufacturers such as Aqua Creek, Aquatic Access, and RehaMed International (now S.R. Smith) have created pool lifts that are self-operated. A self-propelled lift allows the user to operate the lift with minimal to no supervision allowing greater independence.
If you are considering a pool lift there are a number of different types to choose from including those that are hydraulic (manual powered), battery powererd and hyrdro powered lifts. There are also some limitations that may affect which lift may work for your pool. During this month we will be posting a series on Pool Lifts to help familiarize you with these awesome devices.
I’ve often struggled to find a tray table that I could easily use on my wheelchair. I don’t use armrests on my Quickie GT, so there isn’t a way to mount the vast majority of trays on the market. I resorted to just carrying and balancing things on my lap. I constantly dropped phones, keys etc. but it was more convenient to reach over and pick them up than deal with bulky trays.
Few weeks ago, I was introduced to the EzEnabler. The EzEnabler is an accessory kit for wheelchairs that is portable and would function without armrests. The kit includes a cup holder, multipurpose hook, and an 11.5” x 9.75” tray table. It also has 3 poles (7”, 9”, &14”) that can be used in any combination to ensure proper height. The best part of the kit is that it is portable.
I have found the EzEnabler to be extremely helpful. I use it for cooking, household duties like laundry and cleaning, shopping, and even grabbing the next round of drinks for the friends at the bar. When I’m done with the tray I can put the entire kit in the included transport bag, leaving only the receiver on the frame.
Pros:
Quad friendly to install and adjust
Versatile
Portable
Included bag doubles well as backpack
Cons:
While the poles have a smooth finish the clamp is unfinished which is noticeable to us style conscious.
Tray is a little small *
*New tray sizes and options are in the works and should be available soon.
Both the Uppertone and the Vitaglide are well designed fitness machines for wheelchair users. So how do you know which to choose for you?
I think it depends on the type of workout you want and the fitness goal. Both will build muscle and thus help lose weight but they do it differently.
VitaGlide Wheelchair Fitness Machine
Vitaglide is aerobic in nature. The intent is long durations at a sustainable pace/resistance. Aerobic is all about oxygen. The key is to keep your heart rate up with increases how much oxygen can deliver to muscles. The one thing that sets the Vitaglide apart from other aerobic machines is the twisting motion incorporates more of the lower delts and back muscle and passively works the core, which is great for busting the “quad gut.”
The uppertone is all about weight training during which you focus on “overload” which is essentially doing more than sustainable. You want to generate a baseline of what weight and repetitions you can normally do and then you structure your workout to be able to finish your last rep with difficulty but with good form. Also you need resting periods to allow for muscle growth, unlike aerobic where you do same duration (30 mins or more depending on ability) each day.
Uppertone Fitness Machine
There’s the debate over which is better, aerobic or weight training, but ideally if you can do both that is best. Aerobic promotes strong, well fueled muscles and most important cardiovascular health but weight training usually burns fat faster because it takes more calories to sustain muscle more so than fat.
Both machines are well made and will give you as good of a workout as you put in, so it just depends on your goals and how you prefer to work out. To see more about these machines and other available exercise equipment for us wheelchair user visit our Exercise Equipment.
Tell us what you think…What wheelchair fitness machine do you prefer?
I’ve taken great pride in being a C6 quadriplegic who is able to use a manual chair as my primary chair. There are many reasons why I have preferred using a manual chair. For me, it is much easier to get around places locally. Most of which only meet the minimun requirements for “accessibility.” I’ve also always felt it easier to relate to people I meet, in the manual chair, more so than a power chair.
It hasn’t always been the easier option. One aspect of using a manual chair that can be quite difficult for us “quads” is hills. Most ramps are shallow enough, but it seems inevitable that I’ll be out with friends checking out a new place, or on that first date to the movies, and I’ll have to roll up a hill that’s too steep. For me, Grade Aids have been invaluable.
I originally bought a pair of grade aids because I had a converted mini-van with a slide out ramp, and I needed to be able to drive myself. Driving was easy enough, and so was the transfer from my chair to the driver seat. I just didn’t have enough strength to get all the way up the ramp without rolling back. So it was suggested that I get grade aids.
Grade aids are a simple device that when “engaged” (fancy way of saying you flip tab down) it allows the wheel to roll forward but will stop it from rolling backward. The simple device can be attached by itself or with push to lock wheel locks to almost any wheelchair frame. To engage the grade aids you simple push down on the tab so that the teeth on the underside come into contact with the tire.
When engaged the wheel locks do add extra resistance making it a little harder to to push forward, but allow you to stop at anytime without fear of rolling back down the hill. This greatly reduces the overall effort.
I also use my grade aids as a compliment to my D’s Locks when transfering to add an extra level of stability. The grade aids have been an excellent device for me and may be helpful for you.
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