On average, a full-time manual wheelchair user makes 2,000 to 3,000 pushes per day, calculating between 60,000 and 93,000 pushes per week, and about 730,000 to 1,095,000 pushes per year!
This is extremely demanding on arms and hands which were not designed for such repetitive movements. This can cause skin, muscle, or joint issues.
Some solutions exist to help and alleviate the strain. You are probably familiar with devices like add-on power wheels for manual wheelchairs. Although useful, this is an expensive option, costing several thousands of dollars. For many, this leads to breaking the bank and fighting with insurance for months on end, without the certainty of being approved.
Ironically, these devices are better known than some more budget-friendly products available on the market.
I-WHEEL’s well-kept secret is known as the push rim covers, or handrim covers. Although they may look like a very simple product, these covers hide a multitude of smart features and valuable benefits for the wheelchair user.
Let’s have a look at them:
The first purpose of the pushrim covers is to provide a hand grip, which assists with propelling. The additional grip helps to get the wheelchair rolling with less effort because the hands will not slide on the bare hand rims. Furthermore, the same amount of strength generates augmented propelling power.
This leads to a double benefit: fewer pushes will be needed to roll, and the same level of strength will induce higher speed or longer distance covered with each push.
The additional grip particularly comes in handy while rolling on not so wheelchair-friendly paths, with potholes and bumps along the way.
Manual wheelchair users know how challenging some moves can be. For example, mastering the art of a wheelie requires lots of practice to feel confident and safe enough! The covers can also help because they contribute to greater precision in direction and hand placement, which is instrumental to tricky maneuvers.
Using a wheelchair indoors also comes with challenges, specifically in terms of maneuvering around furniture and door frames. If you know you know! These common, difficult-to-navigate spaces often cause the push rims to end up with many paint chips, which both don’t look great and can feel uncomfortable when in contact with one’s hands.
If the hand rims previously sustained some scratches, covers can be a quick, budget-friendly option to hide them and provide the wheelchair with a fresh look!
I-WHEEL’s covers are made of a specifically engineered PVC material, offering a rubber-like nice and smooth texture. Forget cold metal, especially in wintertime!
Not all pushrim covers are created equal. While looking for the best products for our customers, we did some thorough research on the cover options available. They clearly did not stand the comparison. High-quality material and finishing are instrumental to these products because they come in direct, repetitive contact with skin. Our covers are practically seamless, which means that not only do they look sharp, but they also protect your hands from rubbing against some ugly and coarse welding 2,000 times a day.
Beyond its protective qualities, the matte finishes on I-WHEEL’s pushrim covers reduce static electricity and limit the static buildup of dust particles on the covers, which means less cleaning!
When it is ultimately time to clean the covers, they can be easily disinfected with wipes, soap and water, glass cleaner, or even magic-eraser-type sponges!
Each pair is easy to put on and take off from the comfort of the wheelchair. Although they may take a couple of tries to get the hang of, the covers can be applied and removed in as few as two minutes! Not only is this great for cleaning purposes, but it's also beneficial for changing colors and matching your chair with your outfits.
The covers come in a variety of colors! For individuals who use wheelchairs, accessorizing can extend beyond attire to include their mobility devices. Wheelchairs are not merely tools for getting around; they are extensions of one's personality and style.
The covers are currently available in 7 colors: red, blue, black, yellow, purple, green, and pink, and in sizes 20, 22 and 24 inches.
Pushrim covers are the perfect wheelchair add-ons for manual wheelchair users. The product helps with getting a stronger grip, providing relief to the user. It also helps with direction, and delicate maneuvers, and protects the chair and surrounding furniture from damage, while bringing a colorful and personal touch.
I-WHEEL is the first American brand of fashion accessories for wheelchairs. The brand empowers wheelchair users to elevate their personal style with accessories matching their mood, their personality, their outfit, and their true self. We offer collections of products that blend function with aesthetics and put a strong emphasis on the autonomy of the user.
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