Written by Megan Smith, PT
A set of parallel bars for physical therapy is a tool to help recover or retain functional mobility. This piece of equipment provides a safe method to work on walking, balance, and gait training, while building strength, mobility, endurance, and range of motion. Although they are most often seen in a clinical setting, they can be used at home. Physical therapy practices should consider how often parallel bars will be used in order to determine how sturdy the bars should be and how much space is available to install them.
 | 1) Clinton Wall Mounted Folding Parallel Bars View Product |
Our #4 pick, Floor Mounted Parallel Bars by Bailey Manufacturing Company, is a versatile and economic choice for patients of all ages.
When space is available for permanent installation, these parallel bars are a great fit for a physical therapy or rehabilitation practice. Delivering support for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients, fixed-width and adjustable formats can accommodate adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients. An attachable handrail especially adjustable for children is available, and there is the option of a Space Saver bar to increase the walking area without taking up too much more room.
These permanently installed floor-mounted parallel bars are safe and stable, with offset handrail support and smooth continuous handrails with no welds. Able to accommodate patients weighing up to 300 pounds, these parallel bars are constructed with rigid tubular steel and java a chrome-plated finish that guarantees durability for years to come. The quick-locking adjustments easily set these bars up to accommodate different users.
These parallel bars are a great investment for a clinical facility, as an economical choice to deliver dependable therapy in service of a wide range of patients.
#3 on our list is the Electric Power Bariatric Platform Parallel Bars by Armedica Manufacturing, able to accommodate users weighing up to 500 pounds.
With its digital display and memory settings, this set of electric parallel bars can store and recall four bar height settings. It has a slip-resistant platform and 3-section columns that are controlled by a microprocessor to move in sync for lateral stability. The height is adjusted electrically between 15 and 29 inches, and the width is manually adjusted. Its heavy-duty construction, including stainless steel handrails, safely accommodate patients weighing up to 500 pounds even in the highest bar position.
These physical therapy parallel bars come with several options. A balance beam is available to help patients relearn balance, abduction board is thicker than a balance beam and keeps the legs separate while the patient is walking, and a foot placement ladder with reinforced metal cross ties for additional strength helps improve coordination of hip and knee flexion and can accommodate a range of step lengths.
The heavy-duty stability and convenience of electric controls make this a valuable rehabilitation tool that is user-friendly for therapists and patients.
With control knobs for easy adjustment, the Adjustable Parallel Bars by Hausmann Industries has earned the #2 spot on our list of top physical therapy parallel bars.
Adjusting from 15 to 28 inches in width and from 29 to 42 inches in height, this highly adjustable set of parallel bars provides 30 inches of clearance between each upright. If a patient needs to use a wheelchair after a physical therapy session, the hardwood platform of this parallel bar set has tapered ends which make the platform wheelchair accessible. Its two anti-slip trades ensure a secure transfer. Able to accommodate users weighing up to 400 pounds, the handrails are 1.5 inches in diameter.
Made of heavy gauge steel, the uprights are powder coated black and telescope up in 1 ½-inch increments. This feature allows them to become 10 different positions with an error-proof locking pin. This device has a hardwood platform with a satin finish and a 3 mm top edge for outstanding strength.
This set of adjustable parallel bars is user-friendly and give a nod to safety and convenience, with little touches that make getting back into a wheelchair
The space-saving Wall Mounted Folding Parallel Bars from Clinton Industries has earned the top spot on our list!
Folding against the wall when not in use, these space-saving parallel bars for physical therapy are great for smaller therapy spaces, taking up only 14 inches of floor space when not in use. The spring-loaded plungers at the end of the heavy-duty telescoping steel legs make it easy to adjust the height. This set of wall-mounted parallel bars has an operating height range of 28 to 42 inches. They are 7 feet long, and 28 inches wide.
Heavy-duty steel construction, and with one-piece 1 ½ inch diameter handrails, this set of parallel bars has sturdy telescoping front legs. Handrails bars with end bumpers can accommodate users weighing up to 400 pounds. A second height knob conveniently removes side-to-side play.
This versatile piece of equipment topped our list because it delivers effective mobility therapy without wasting any space when not in use.
With multiple designs to choose from, answering some questions about your situation will help you choose the best option for your needs.
There are foldable portable options that are best if you need to move them between locations or want them for your home and need them to be easy to store. If multiple people will be using them, adjustability is essential. If they are only going to be used by one person, a less adjustable model will work fine.
They come in different lengths and widths, so measure where they’ll be used to make sure you get a model that will fit. If you have enough space, you can install parallel bars with a platform or floor mount hardware as permanent structures. If, however, you have to move them out of the way sometimes to free up floor space, a foldaway wall-mounted version will take up a much smaller footprint.
The typical range for weight capacity is from 300 to 500 pounds, with bariatric models able to accommodate up to 800 pounds. Physical therapy parallel bars with a center connection can hold more weight than those without a center connection. Foldable and portable models usually have lower weight capacities than permanent models. F
Since they can be wall-mounted, floor-mounted, or platform mounted, there are many installation options. Wall-mounted parallel bars need a sturdy connection, and the wall is used as one of the support columns. Floor-mounted versions are permanently installed right into the floor. If you can’t execute a permanent installation on a wall or floor, platform-mounted bars are a good option. Platform models often have a non-slip tread to provide stability.
A: Parallel bars are two wooden bars placed approximately 3 feet apart. They are supported by metal adjustable legs that allow for raising and lower the bars to accommodate the heights of individual patients. They are primarily used for exercises and gain training.
A: For patients who have difficulty walking or limited functional mobility, parallel bars provide a stable way to gain balance, strength, and work on gait training. For people who have been impacted by stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, broken legs, spinal cord injuries, surgical procedures, or severe muscle weakness, parallel bars are part of a therapy plan to regain mobility and build strength.
A: Parallel bars allow for patients to support themselves while working on standing, walking, gait, coordination, strength, balance, and range of motion. By holding themselves up and moving along the platform while grasping the handrails, patients work toward increasing mobility.
A: Parallel bars should be between 29 and 42 inches.
Parallel bars for walking help build strength, balance, and range of motion, so they are an important part of mobility therapy. We chose our number one pick because this set of physical therapy parallel bars delivers a solid therapy experience while folding up and out of the way to free up valuable floor space when it’s needed for other activities.
To review and shop for similar products, visit our catalog of parallel bars, exercise bars, and physical therapy parallel bars. For more free articles about DME, we invite you to explore Caregiver University!
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
 "Hausmann Adjustable Parallel Bars (Height & Width)")
