Standing Wheelchair Reviews – Get Off Your Butt!

My mother, Barbara, had MS and used a standing wheelchair for years.  She LOVED that wheelchair. When we were out in public, she would often ask me to stand her up (she had a manual standing chair) so that she could “show it off”.  Take a look at my standing wheelchair reviews and see which is best for you.

What is a standing wheelchair

A standing wheelchair is a type of assistive technology that allows a wheelchair user to raise the chair from a seated to a standing position.  Sometimes called a stand up chair, it supports the person in an upright or standing position and enables them to interact with other people and objects at eye level.  So, let’s take a look at some of the best standing wheelchairs.

Standing wheelchairs are used by people with either paraplegia or quadriplegia.  There are different standing options available to accommodate persons with mild to severe disabilities including: spinal cord injury, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, rett syndrome, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, post-polio syndrome and more.

The benefits of a standing wheelchair

The benefits of a standing wheelchair are many. For my mom, the main benefit was the ability to get off of her butt.  It gave her the ability to stretch, eliminated the chance of getting sores and improved the muscle tone in her legs.  She also had fewer urinary tract infections and less spasticity due to her MS.  

Other benefits include:

• Being able to stand may increase independence and enhance employment and leisure opportunities
• Standing wheelchair users find they have more energy, enhanced functional ability, and greater independence
• Allows easy use of kitchen counters and appliances and access to overhead cabinets or grocery store shelves
• From a physical wellness perspective, RESNA reports that more frequent standing can help maintain organ capacity, as well as reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections and pressure sores.  We saw this benefit with my mother.
• Improves blood circulation and muscle tone
• Promotes kidney and bladder functioning
• Improves quality of life
• Reduces muscle contracture
• Reduces bone decalcification and osteoporosis risk
• Prevents and heals pressure sores

Types of standing wheelchairs

Manual Standing Chair

With a manual chair, the mobility and lifting mechanisms are not powered.  My mom had a manual chair and they are very easy to move into the standing position.  The spring-action mechanism offsets the person’s weight and the chair can easily be lifted.  Some people with limited upper body mobility may have difficulty adjusting the chair to the standing position.

Power Standing Chair

This type of chair features powered mobility and hydraulic or otherwise powered lifting mechanisms.  A person who can’t push may require a wheelchair or scooter powered by an electric motor and batteries and controlled by a joystick.

My top picks

Here are the two top standing chairs that I recommend. See below for a review of each one.