Monthly Archives: April 2014

Mobility Scooters and the Gym

Posted on by

Tips for Enjoying a Good Workout
If you’re ready to purchase a new mobility scooter for the first time, it’s best to think of all your possibilities, rather than your limitations. If you already have a scooter, how about broadening your horizons by taking your machine to the gym to enjoy a good workout?

Most of today’s modern gyms are equipped to accommodate your mobility scooter.  And as long as there is sufficient room between machines and enough space to allow you to move about throughout the gym, you may be good to go.  Following are some steps you can take to ensure a great experience at the workout location of your choice.

Wheelchair Gym Training

Wheelchair Gym Training

  1. Get a complete physical exam if you haven’t done so recently. Make sure your healthcare provider gives you the green light to use the various machines at the gym. Let your provider help you decide which areas of your body would benefit from a regular exercise program that includes time in the gym.

  2. Take a tour of the gym. Make sure the gym has equipment that you access by rising from your scooter and using the machine. If you are unable to rise from your scooter without assistance, look for machines that you can use while remaining seated.

  3. Make sure the gym has clean handicapped bathrooms and a clean shower that is designed for people with disabilities. It’s a good idea to visit the gym at its busiest hours (you can ask the gym manager to let you know the busy times to use the gym as well as the hours when gym use is light). If the gym is poorly managed, you might find bathrooms that are not cleaned regularly, especially during the busy times,.

  4. Do not fall for the sales pitches of trainers unless you know that the trainer is experienced at working with people who use electric mobility scooters and other assistive devices. Get references from others who use mobility scooters. Some gyms such as Planet Fitness don’t allow trainers to make sales pitches. If you need a trainer, hire one who does not work at the gym.

Which type of Mobility Scooter is best for gym use
You can use either a 4-wheel mobility scooter or a 3-wheel device. However, 3-wheel mobility scooters feature a tighter turning radius than 4-wheelers. Four wheel mobility scooters are less maneuverable than their 3 wheel counterparts; however they give you greater stability, which won’t usually be a factor in a gym. You can also use a lightweight travel scooter; the advantages of a travel scooter is its portability.

If you’re looking for a new mobility scooter, you can easily order online at a trusted site from companies such as Scooter Direct, your source for all mobility products. You’ll find a great selection of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, lifts, ramps, lift chairs as well as walking aids, pool lifts, stair lifts and vertical platforms. Call: toll free (800) 987-6791

to speak with a specialist Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm (Eastern time). Scooter Direct also offers a live chat feature so you can communicate in real time with a customer service representative.

Know when to Yield Right of Way on your Mobility Scooter

Posted on by

Mobility scooters give you the freedom to move freely and easily, whether it’s around the shopping mall, in the neighborhood or when you’re on vacation. However, it’s important that you always keep in mind that you are operating a power driven vehicle, one that can cause danger to yourself and others if you do not drive it carefully.

Currently, most states do not have specific regulations governing electric scooters. Nevertheless, the State of Florida warns on its website that someday statutory regulations will exist.

Following are some examples of when you should yield to pedestrians or bicyclists;

  • When riding on a narrow bridge path that’s protected by railings or concrete embankment. Resort areas often have lots of pedestrian traffic across bridges which lead from hotels to nearby shopping areas. Often pedestrians will pause to look at the water or passing boats. Obviously, if you are traveling at 3.5 miles per hour on your mobility scooter you have a duty to warn the pedestrians that you are coming.

  • You should never operate your mobility scooter on a busy thoroughfare, even within a bike lane. Instead, it’s safer to drive your scooter on the sidewalk. However, if for some reason you are driving within a bicycle lane, make sure you warn oncoming bicyclists who can be riding at high speeds that you are in the bicycle lane.

  • Whether you are operating your mobility scooter in residential areas or on park paths be especially aware of animals who might cross your path. Dogs and cats frequently run in front of motorized vehicles, so make sure you are always vigilant when you are driving.

 

Operating your mobility scooter should be fun. Tooling around on your scooter is a great way to sightsee, commute to work or get to a desired nearby destination quickly. In addition to observing common sense driving tactics (even if your state does not have a law that mandates when you should yield right of way), you should always make sure your mobility scooter is in tip-top running condition.  Additionally, perform the following safety checks before you use your mobility scooter:

  1. Make sure your wheels are not worn

  2. Check your battery level; make sure it is recharged. And know exactly how long you can operate your mobility scooter before the battery level gets low.

  3. Make sure your brakes are operating properly.

  4. Check to see if your horn, lights and signals are in working order.

  5. Adjust your seat to the most comfortable setting and while doing so make sure that it is secure

If you are in the market for a mobility scooter, please visit ScooterDirect.com, your source for all mobility products. At ScooterDirect you can browse through a large inventory of high quality mobility products by the top manufacturers.  In addition to mobility scooters (including great deals on all-terrain mobility scooters), you’ll see power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, lifts, ramps, lift chairs, walking aids and accessories. Plus, ScooterDirect is an authorized dealer for every manufacturer.

Portable Wheelchair Ramp Safety Tips and Buying Guide

Posted on by


Portable wheelchair ramps are a great convenience as they enable you to navigate your wheelchair in and out of your home, stores and other public facilities.  They are made of sturdy but lightweight materials designed to allow easy transport and storage. Following are some tips to follow to ensure that you use your portable wheelchair ramp safely.

Safety Tips:
*Make sure you’re comfortable with the incline – Don’t exceed your comfort zone! If you’re attempting to traverse a steep incline, have an able-bodied attendant assist you.

*Don’t load the wheelchair with anything that can tip it backwards – It’s best not to carry anything that exerts downward gravitational force such as a backpack. Wait until you have traversed the incline to put the backpack on the wheelchair.

*Always fasten your seatbelt before negotiating the ramp. In fact, as a safety precaution you should fasten your seatbelt whenever you’re in your wheelchair.

*If you have anti-tip wheels, double-check them to make sure they’re working properly.

*Practice using your ramp. Begin driving your wheelchair at the slowest possible speed. The more you use your ramp the more confident you will become.

*When descending, proceed slowly and ease up towards the bottom of the ramp until you come to a complete stop.

*Don’t go solo until you are confident. Have an attendant or caregiver assist you until you are able to use the ramp confidently.

Portable Wheelchair Ramp Buying Guide

Portable wheelchair ramps come in a variety of designs including suitcase, threshold, solid, multifold, single fold and van & specialty ramps. Following are brief descriptions of each design type:

*Multi-fold Ramps – Longer ramps, which are ideal for traveling over several steps, steeper inclines or traversing uneven terrain, multi-fold wheelchair ramps fold in two places.

Utility Ramp-20Utility Wheelchair Ramps

Threshold Ramps – Featuring a high-traction surface, threshold ramps are designed for smooth uneven doorways, sliding glass doors, and raised landings. They are made out of aluminum or rubber, fit 1 to 6 inches threshold height and can carry up to 600 pounds.

Solid Ramps – These ramps are a one-piece design, thus requiring no assembly.  They have no moveable parts. All you have to do is position the wheelchair ramp and you’re ready to go! Solid ramps feature a seamless rigid design for a safe and solid feel. These extremely sturdy ramps have a weight capacity of 700 pounds.

Single fold (Suitcase) Ramps – Ideal for slight elevation changes, single fold ramps fold longwise for easy transportation. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, single fold ramps come in 2 to 6 foot lengths. They are primarily used to load power chairs and scooters into vans and SUVs.

Multi-fold Ramps – Featuring a 3-fold design, multi-fold ramps allows you to access steps, vehicles and raised landings. Designed so they can be used both indoors and outside, multi-fold ramps can hold up to 800 pounds.

Van Ramps – Specially designed for easy access to a minivan’s side door, van ramps install easily to the floor of the van. Easy to store and transport,

For a complete selection of portable wheelchair ramps, visit ScooterDirect.com, your source for all mobility products.