Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Choose the Best Walker with a Seat?

S. Gonzales
S. Gonzales

A walker with a seat is an essential part of mobility for some. Choosing the best walker for you can be largely up to your own preference. Generally, the best walkers with seats are those that are comfortable, ergonomic, easily controllable and suited to the user's height.

Find a mobility walker that has its seat at your preferred height. You don't want to invest in a walker with a seat that is too low or too high. You should find a walker that will make it easy for you to sit and stand back up again. For the best match, purchase a walker that has an adjustable seat so that you can fine-tune the seat to your specific needs.

Four-wheeled walkers are generally more stable than two-wheeled walkers and also offer a seat for the elderly or disabled to use when needed.
Four-wheeled walkers are generally more stable than two-wheeled walkers and also offer a seat for the elderly or disabled to use when needed.

Make sure that your walker with a seat can support all of your weight. Mobility walkers can vary considerably when it comes to weight capacity. Check the specifications listed on the packaging or in the user's manual to make sure that you can put all of your weight on the seat without having to worry about stressing the walker.

Look for special features on the seat portion of the walker. For example, some walkers offer padding on seats that can make sitting down more comfortable. Backrests can also help you keep your posture and provide extra support to a back in need of pain relief.

Search for a walker with a seat that is as ergonomic as possible. Seats and backrests are the most obvious things to look for when it comes to comfort, but other portions of a walker can help make sure that your body is supported properly. Braces, frames and release paddles are but a few of the other features on a walker that can be specially designed with ergonomics in mind.

Other features can make the use of a walker with a seat easier. Attached baskets and mechanisms that prevent rattling can make your operation of the walker more pleasant. Special bars on the walkers can be provided so that their owners don't have to put too much weight on their hands while using the walker; the pressure can be diverted to the arms, which can be more supportive.

Wheels can give those who own a walker with a seat an extra push of mobility. Walkers with wheels make it easier for owners to travel greater distances with less exertion. Brakes can give owners greater control over how walkers with wheels move. Hand brakes, especially, can offer instant control.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Four-wheeled walkers are generally more stable than two-wheeled walkers and also offer a seat for the elderly or disabled to use when needed.
      By: Glenda Powers
      Four-wheeled walkers are generally more stable than two-wheeled walkers and also offer a seat for the elderly or disabled to use when needed.