The creation of lightweight wheelchairs revolutionized the wheelchair world as wheelchair users had many more options and activities made available. Although the revolution did not take overnight, no one can denial the impact and change lightweight wheelchairs have made. Weighing only about 28 pounds, wheelchairs became quicker, lighter and easier to move, allowing users to now play sports and do other physical activities.

Standard lightweight wheelchairs are ideal for wheelchair users. Though users will need a strong upper body, they can greatly benefit from lightweight wheelchairs. Lightweight wheelchairs put less strain on the user's arm so that users can travel faster and longer distances. These chairs have a much more sportive and flashier appearance than standard regular wheelchairs. Furthermore, because of the increase of mobility, wheelchair users can participate in more physical activities such as basketball.

Wheelchair users now have the possibility to play many wheelchair sports, such as basketball, tennis, swimming, hand cycling, rugby, hockey and softball. With the invention of lightweight wheelchairs, sport wheelchairs appeared. With a similar frame design, sport wheelchairs have great mobility, and currently, there are specialty wheelchairs for several sports. For example, hand cycling wheelchairs use a design with two rear wheels, one front wheel and a pedal for your hands to move the wheelchair. Most other sports have two large wheelchairs that are slated inwards and two small wheels in the front. These wheelchairs allow users to play various sports efficiently but they can be costly as prices start at $1500.

When purchasing a lightweight wheelchair, there are a few things to look for. First of all, the brand of the wheelchair is important. Some notable and dependable wheelchairs are Guardian, Invacare, Sunrise, and Quickie. These brands have a reputable and dependable line of lightweight wheelchairs so sticking to these brands is a good idea. Another thing to check is obviously the price tag.

Lightweight wheelchair prices start at about $200, but if you want a really light chair, they can cost about $850. The weight that you want affects the price of your wheelchair, but lighter wheelchairs will put less strain on your arms and therefore improve your lifestyle.

Make sure to also check the weight capacity of the chair. Lightweight wheelchairs have a weaker frame; therefore it cannot support as much weight as standard or motorized wheelchairs. Most lightweight wheelchairs can support up to 250 pounds but it's still important to check just incase. Lastly, when looking for a lightweight wheelchair, especially a sport wheelchair, make sure that its comfortable and that you can easily move around in your wheelchair.

In conclusion, lightweight wheelchairs are great for sport usage, and everyday use. With its light frame, mobility is increased and users can easily travel without much effort. They are not that costly and are well worth it if you enjoy being independent and active. Sport wheelchairs are great for almost every wheelchair sport and will they will greatly increase you performance. Though these can be expensive, if you are an athletic and competitive then you should invest in a sport wheelchair.