Written by Hulet Smith, OT
When Ladd Lougee created a more ergonomically designed camping chair back in 2007, he had no idea how he would also transform the wheelchair industry. A Mammoth Lake camping trip with friends inspired the beginning of his foray into supportive design, as the traditional camp chair construction left everyone in his group with lingering back pain from the minimal support.
As owner and president, Lougee started his Strongback Chair company, offering comfortable, ergonomically designed camp chairs, which were an instant hit in the camping and hiking world. As he placed more of his focus on the seating industry, he quickly became aware of another common seating surface that often causes its users pain and discomfort - the wheelchair.
Lougee decided to incorporate his Strongback design into a wheelchair, working with his colleague, Dr. Christian Grothe who carries a Ph.D. in engineering. After three years of research and development, their end result was a wheelchair with built-in ergonomic posture support for long-lasting seated comfort. Thus began Strongback Mobility, a game changer for the wheelchair industry, with award-winning designs that are captivating wheelchair users around the world.
As “The New Standard of Comfort”, Strongback wheelchairs offer unique ergonomics with frame-integrated posture support. Specifically configured to provide support where human bodies need it, these manual wheelchairs follow the natural lumbar curve of the spine to prevent slouching and alleviate pressure on the discs. The resulting posture produces unrivaled comfort and a stronger back for the user.
Strongback Mobility has also improved upon the wheelchair seat, offering three different width sizes for an exact fit, and an improved seat angle. It helps to align the pelvis into a healthy, ergonomic position, minimizes slipping, and improves the stability of the wheelchair user. The Strongback seat additionally reduces skin shear on the sensitive and boney pressure points of the buttocks.
 | STRONGBACK24 Ultra Lightweight Portable Wheelchair View Product |
Strongback Mobility wheelchairs are available in three basic designs, differentiated by a range of rear wheel sizes. The larger the wheel, the more capable the wheelchair is of traversing more difficult terrains. A range of seat sizes promotes versatile accommodation for people of all sizes, while each model is capable of supporting up to 300 pounds of weight.
Because of the smaller wheels on the Excursion 8 and 12 models, they’re designed to perform as functional transport chairs, and will require the push of a caregiver or attendant to mobilize. Comfort grip handles facilitate easy maneuvering for the caregiver. The Excursion 24’s larger back wheels can be steered by the wheelchair user, but also include the grip handles for an attendant.
As the 2018 winner of the medical, rehabilitation, and health care category at the German Design Awards, Strongback wheelchairs are receiving the praise and recognition they deserve as they break new ground in the design world. They also took second place in the Medtrade 2017 Innovative HME Retail Product Awards, sponsored by HomeCare magazine. Curated Lyfe, with Michael Graves Design also chose Strongback transport wheelchairs as their top pick, pointing out the many helpful design features, such as the swing-away footrests “for when you just want to scoot around using your feet”, and how the curved armrests “not only look welcoming”, but also enable users to get in close to a table.
 | StrongBack Transport Chairs - Excursion 8 and 12 View Product |
“Best chair ever made for mobility! Very light and sturdy. Exceptionally well made. The footrests allow your legs to hang naturally down instead of sticking out and hitting things or people. Seating is tops--no need for a pillow! The 12-inch wheel makes the chair weigh only 2 lbs more than the 8-inch wheels, but what a difference in pushing--it's a breeze! Also, I am six feet two tall and other chairs make me hunch over to drive, but not this one. I stand straight up and am far more comfortable pushing this chair than any of the 7 others we have used. My wife can sit for hours by the ocean with no pain at all! I very highly endorse this mobility chair and am a VERY satisfied customer.” - RJJ6
“Love this chair! We purchased the 12" back wheel model with the 16" seat. We needed a chair for our 11-year-old daughter with mobility issues that we could easily take anywhere for when she tires. This chair is perfect for our needs. It folds easily, is very sturdy yet lightweight, turns very easily and comfortable to sit in. It is so easy to push and maneuver that our daughter likes to push it herself when she walks because it actually stabilizes her better and she doesn't tire as easy. She finds it very comfortable to sit in as well when she needs a break. She also likes the look of it, a bit sporty. I believe it is worth the price.” - Linda Greeson
“This wheelchair has provided us the opportunity to turn our regular sedan into the vehicle that can fit 4 and his wheelchair when we do things like go to the movies. We purchased this wheelchair for our 17-year-old son, who transfers well between a wheelchair and a car seat in a low car. We have been struggling for years to find a vehicle that works both for transfers AND storage of a full-size wheelchair (without having to break it down). This wheelchair has provided us the opportunity to turn our regular sedan into the vehicle that can fit 4 and his wheelchair when we do things like go to the movies. It is very easy and intuitive to use right out of the box!” - Matthew S.
To learn more about these and other amazing products available, come browse our full selection at Rehabmart.com. You can also read more helpful articles like this one to help guide you through new products, helpful tips, and comparative reviews over at Caregiver University.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
