Till just lately, bathe chairs appeared to come back in two classes: those underneath the advanced rehab umbrella that retail within the $2,000-$3,000 vary; and the others obtainable at on-line and big-box shops, which in my expertise lack sturdiness and don’t really feel very steady. These latter bathe chairs are those that lodges have a tendency to supply when all of the accessible rooms are booked.

However earlier this yr, SolutionBased, previously referred to as ShowerBuddy, launched a brand new line of sliding switch bathe seats that promised a high quality chair at a extra reasonably priced worth. The product line is named ShowerGlyde, and just lately I had the chance to attempt one out and see which of the 2 classes it falls in, or whether or not it transcends them each.

Because the title suggests, ShowerGlyde switch chairs allow you to glide over the lip of a tub or bathe on two “glide rails.” ShowerGlyde chairs are provided in three fashions:

SG1: Designed for bogs with loads of house, the seat glides a full seat-width past the surface lip of the bath.

SG2: Designed to suit bogs with a rest room subsequent to the bathtub or bathe, it allows a single switch for toileting after which a simple glide into the bathtub or bathe.

SG3: Designed for tightly spaced bogs, the chair extends about 8 inches past the lip of the bathtub and might swivel 90 levels. Caveat: I discovered that transferring was simpler with out the 90-degree swivel. SolutionBased plans to supply a 45-degree swivel, which might make transfers even simpler. It ought to be obtainable by Jan. 1, 2024.

All three fashions have backrests, seat belts, seize bars, commonplace commode openings for simple washing, smaller opening inserts and stable seat inserts. They’re all height-adjustable and in a position to clear a bathtub lip of as much as 19.5 inches, have a weight capability of 330 kilos and include a lifetime guarantee on the body. Frames are constituted of heavy-duty machine-welded aluminum with plastic and stainless-steel parts that gained’t rust. Optionally available padded seat-rests and flip-up adjustable armrests ought to be obtainable by January. The retail worth for every mannequin is $529.66.

The Check

For an intensive take a look at of the SG3, I enlisted the assistance of Matt Fritsch, who’s in his twentieth yr as a T6 paraplegic. At 6 ft, 2 inches tall and 185 kilos, Fritsch makes use of a low-cost bathe bench. Through the years he has had two of them fail from on a regular basis use. Fritsch’s tub is 15 inches excessive — proper in the course of common tub heights, which vary between 14 inches and 16 inches.

The overall weight of the SG3 is barely 24.7 kilos, and I used to be in a position to unbox and assemble it myself. After viewing the web tutorial and printed instructions, meeting was simple and took lower than quarter-hour. A cool meeting characteristic is that each bolt makes use of the same-sized Allen key, which is included and snaps into the underside of the seat.

The ShowerGlyde body has a stable feel and look. I did discover that with none weight on it there’s about ¼ inch of play within the seat, although it’s not noticeable when transferring and/or sitting within the seat.

Adjusting the ShowerGlyde legs to suit the various angles of Fritsch’s tub was additionally simple, because of one in all SolutionBased’s many astute attentions to element: ½-inch increment changes. The business commonplace for leg/top changes on a bathe bench is 1-inch increments, however having twice as many choices ensured an ideal, safe match.

The ShowerGlyde seat locks into place at every finish of the tracks, which creates a agency, sturdy platform for transferring. The seat is launched for sliding into tub or bathe by pushing one of many orange buttons on both sides. The entrance of each Fritsch’s wheelchair and my very own was 19 inches, which made for easy, stage transfers from our cushions.

I wheeled up and gave the ShowerGlyde a attempt. I discovered the switch simple. The seat and body felt stable. As soon as on the seat I picked up one leg, then the opposite — with the seat nonetheless within the locked place — and moved them into the bathtub. Though I didn’t use the seat belt, I can see it will likely be useful for individuals who want further assist or are nonetheless studying SCI abilities. As soon as my legs have been within the tub, I positioned one hand on the seize bar, pushed the discharge button and simply glided into “bathe place” because the seat clicked into place.

Having used stable bathe benches earlier than, I discover that ShowerGlyde’s curler tracks make shifting from the surface of the bathtub or bathe safer and simpler. I didn’t must push as much as carry my butt to keep away from pores and skin shear as I crossed the bench. Shearing forces can result in deep-tissue strain sores. Plus, lifting my butt to maneuver would put further pressure on my growing older shoulders.

When Fritsch tried the ShowerGlyde, he stated it felt steady. He additionally appreciated the stable really feel of the again and the convenience of gliding from the sting of the bathtub into bathe place. “I can see that with out a stable bathe bench it’s going to be simpler to wash the bathtub,” he stated. He additionally noticed that he may reduce two slits in his bathe curtain to go in between the seat rails, which ought to stop the moist flooring he will get when water flows over his bathe bench. Fritsch famous that the ShowerGlyde’s ft are product of robust plastic. “It is a large deal for me as a result of my final tub bench had rubber ft over skinny tubular aluminum, and over time the aluminum wore by the rubber and punched a gap within the backside of the bathtub,” he says.

Once I tried the ShowerGlyde at dwelling, I added the optionally available leg extensions to accommodate my very tall 21-inch bathtub, however the seat was too excessive for me to carry out transfers with out straining my shoulders. It is because the highest of the ShowerGlyde SG3 seat is 6 inches larger than the highest of the bathtub rail, therefore a switch to a 27-inch top.

When deciding if the ShowerGlyde is best for you, it is very important measure your tub-rail top and add 6 inches — or 4.4 inches for the SG1 or SG2 — and determine if that transfer-height works for you. As an illustration, a wheelchair’s seat-to-floor top is usually 18 inches to 19 inches, so with a bathtub top of 14 inches to 16 inches, the switch to the ShowerGlyde ought to be as simple as chair to commode, or chair to mattress and again. In case your bathtub is larger than 16 inches or chair top is decrease than 18 inches, I recommend making an attempt a switch to a demo prior to buy. The identical goes for ordering the SG2: If the lip of your rest room is larger than 16 inches and/or your chair is decrease than 18 inches, I recommend making an attempt to switch on a demo to see whether it is best for you.

The Verdict

I feel the ShowerGlyde is an efficient worth for the cash. It’s simple to arrange, extraordinarily adjustable, appears good, and feels sturdy and durable. If my bathtub was common top, or if I had a bathe with a lip that prevented a roll-in chair, I might get one.

Primarily based on what I’ve seen, the ShowerGlyde will profit anyone trying to find a superior bathe/bathtub switch bench at a very good worth. Seeing the way in which it’s constructed, with particulars like further adjustability, clear welds, and robust plastic ft, it appears like it is going to maintain up over the lengthy haul. The lifetime assure on the body can also be a plus.